Tom Terwilliger

Thomas Victor Terwilliger (born January 12, 1959) is a former Mr. America (NPC, National Bodybuilding Champion) bestselling author, speaker and personal development trainer.
Terwilliger began his coaching career in 1982 as a fitness trainer in New York City and has worked with such prestigious clients as Regis Philbin, Gregory Hines, Cindy Crawford, and Eddy Murphy, Gregory Hines, Ted Lange, Howard Stern and Denver Broncos’ Alfred Williams. He first stepped into the spotlight as a champion in the world of Bodybuilding in 1986 after winning the NPC National Championship and competing in the coveted Mr. Olympia competition.
Terwilliger became well known as the co-host and co-producer of the popular and long running Fox Sports Net cable TV show, Muscle Sport USA which aired from 1987 to 2003. As the author of the #1 bestselling book, [http://www.amazon.com/Rules-Achievement-Complete-Programming-Mechanism/dp/1600377378/reftmm_pap_title_0?ieUTF8&qid1294966051&sr8-1-catcorr 7 Rules of Achievement] and the founder of Coaching Leadership Excellence, Terwilliger has established himself as a leading authority on the science of achievement and is one of the most sought after personal development coaches in the world.
Early life
Terwilliger was born an identical twin and the youngest of six kids (Raymond, Judy, Patty, Terry, twin brother Mike and Tom) in Brooklyn, New York to Dorothy and Raymond Terwilliger. Terwilliger’s father was a supervisor for the Bell Telephone (Ma Bell) company in Baldwin, New York. His mother was a devout Catholic and stay at home mom who also held down a part time job.

As a young student Terwilliger struggled with dyslexia and was diagnosed hyperactive and learning disabled. As a result had difficulties keeping up with the rest of the students and was left back in the 6th grade.
Terwilliger later attended Alfred G. Berner High School in Massapequa, New York alongside actors Alec Baldwin, Danny Baldwin and Brian Setzer (Stray Cats). It was there that his early challenges with authority and frequent run-ins with the law prevented him from graduating with his class.
During his senior year 1978 Terwilliger acquired his first motorcycle a 1956 Harley Davidson Panhead chopper and soon after began riding with members of a notorious outlaw motorcycle gang. After five years he was confronted with the difficult decision to commit 100% or pay the price and get out. In 1982 Terwilliger made the empowering decision to leave his biker lifestyle behind.
Career
Bodybuilding
In 1982, Terwilliger began the process of rebuilding his drug and alcohol abused body by getting back in the gym. In 1984 he entered and placed 3rd in the NPC National Bodybuilding Championship. In 1985 he entered again and had moved up the latter to the runner up position. In 1986 Terwilliger captured the light heavyweight National Championship title (Mr. America) and earned his IFBB pro card, over a very competitive field that included runner up Mike Ashley and JJ Marsh (Mr. USA) 3rd.
In 1987 marked Terwilliger's pro debut at the IFBB Night of Champions Pro with less than rave reviews. He place a disappointing 10th against Mike Ashley (2nd) and Gary Strydome (1st).
From July 1987 to June 1989, Terwilliger took a short hiatus from competition. In 1989 he returned to the Night of Champions Pro for the second time and finished 7th.
It was that same year that he entered and placed 3rd at the IFBB Niagara Pro against bodybuilding legend Albert Beckles the overall winner, which qualified Terwilliger for that year's Mr. Olympia competition.
Terwilliger placed outside the top 10 but has been quoted as saying “it was an honor simply to stand on the Olympia stage.”
Terwilliger's pro career was underscored by his ability to move an audience with his skillful and theatrical posing presentations. “Terwilliger was one of bodybuilding's most dynamic posers.” Shawn Perine, Flex Magazine. “The whole experience doesn't last as long as you think it will. Cherish every moment and learn from it, for each one is a building block of future success." Tom Terwilliger, Flex Magazine
After breaking is arm in a mountain bike accident in 1993 Terwilliger retired from the sport of bodybuilding.
TV career
After winning the 1986 Nationals Terwilliger was approached by a small New York production company he had done some work for in the past about hosting and co-producing a new cable television show, In 1987 a pilot show as produced and the show was picked up by Madison Square Garden Sports Network.
With the inexperienced Terwilliger in front of the camera and a relative unknown camera man (Paul Goldberg) behind the lens and former TV executive Steve Carol behind the scences the show was about to make bodybuilding history as the longest running fitness show on TV.
In late 1998 MuscleSport USA was being looked at by the larger Fox Sports Net as a possible part of their monthly programming lineup but Terwilliger would need a co-host who could do the color. In early, 1999 he joined by his new co-host Steve Stone and the show was picked up by Fox Sports Net.
MuscleSport USA ran from 1987-2002. In 2001, Terwilliger and the show was nominated for the prestigious Telly Award. It was while filming an episode of the show in Boulder, Colorado in 1991 that Terwilliger met his future wife Dawn.
It was between 1985 and 1990 that Terwilliger had contracted with the Brian Moss and the Better Bodies Model and Acting Agency. He later earned his Screen Actor's Guild card and appeared in countless TV commercials including ones for Hershey’s Kiss, Fed-Ex, Kellogg’s Oat Baked Cereal, General Foods Soft Swirl Ice Cream, and Clairol Body Building Hair Formula.
In 1988 Terwilliger landed a role as the life guard in Billy Joel’s music video, Second Wind (You're Only Human). In 1990 Terwilliger “ironically” made a short cameo appearance in the movie, Problem Child with John Ritter.
His first and only appearance on Broadway was a result of scoring a role in the 1983 remake of the Broadway hit The Ritz.
Terwilliger had also been a guest on the Regis and Kathy Lee (now Regis and Kelly) show and two separate occasions.
In 2008 Terwilliger appeared in infomercial Tony Robbins Ultimate Edge coaching program co-hosted with Tom Selleck. Also appearing are Brooke Burke, Serena Williams, Mark Burnett, Brett Ratner, Pat Riley, Donna Karen, Quincy Jones, Dan Caldwell and Dana Scott.
Radio
On September 21st 1992 After selling his two athletic clubs (Maximum Health and Fitness) in Long Island Terwilliger moved to Denver, Colorado. It was there that he met his future wife, Dawn (Mrs. Metropolitan 2009)
While engaged the couple started the Terwilliger Fitness radio show on News Radio KOA and KTLK radio in the rocky mountain region. The show ran from 1993 to 1999. Terwilliger was also a regular contributor on KTLKs Business for Breakfast and KOAs Health Notes.
The Transitions
After retiring from the sport of bodybuilding in 1993 Terwilliger devoted himself to his fitness training business, the radio show and the Muscle Sport USA TV Show. He would travel back and forth from Denver to the Hollywood-New York studios in Queens, New York monthly for post production editing and voice-over sessions.
It was in 1999 that he and his new wife opened Definitions Denver a very exclusive personal training studio on Larimer Square in the heart of Downtown Denver. Three years later they moved their operation to a larger location at the newly developed Riverfront Park community in the Platte Valley of Denver.
In 2004 Terwilliger made a decision to take what he did as a trainer to what he has described as “a whole new level of transformational coaching” by immersing himself in the study of brain and behavioral change technology. In 2006 he studied for and received his practitioner and master practitioner certifications in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and hypnosis.
The results Terwilliger began producing with his clients did not go unnoticed. After being nominated outstanding member of the month (June 2006) by IDEA Fitness Journal one of the fitness industries leading trade publications he was asked to contribute several articles for publication.
• Resetting Your Success Thermostat April 2007
• Leadership Through Service May 2007
• Let Their Values Be Your Guide June 2007
• Your Business and the Economic Slowdown February 2009
On July 10, 2008 Terwilliger was invited to speak at the IDEA World Fitness Conference before an audience of over 5000 members.
It was in 2007 that Terwilliger had an opportunity to meet and work with bestselling author (Secrets of The Millionaire Mind) and personal development trainer, Harv Eker (Peak Potentials). After noticing Terwilliger’s natural charisma and leadership ability Terwilliger was asked to become part of his Peak Potentials team as a speaker/trainer. Terwilliger’s relationship with Peak Potentials continued for the next two years until they two parted ways in 2009.
In 2008 Terwilliger and his wife sold their fitness facilities so they could devote themselves to writing and their new company, Coaching Leadership Excellence.
Books
Between the years 2006 and 2009 Terwilliger wrote and self published four e-books and training programs.
• The Inner Game of Confidence
• Keys to an Achievable Outcome
• How to use Small Talk to Build Your Business
• Tele-Coaching for Big Profits
In January 2009, Terwilliger signed on with Morgan James Publishing, LLC and was published in May 2010, “7 Rules of Achievement” for the personal growth community. The acclaimed 7 Rules of Achievement was a 2010 finalist for an Ethan Award and went to #1 on several Amazon's bestseller's lists.
Terwilliger has built several live trainings including The Achievement Boot camp and Experience THE LEAP around the book and his experience with taking several leaps of faith that now serve thousands of people worldwide.
Bodybuilding anthology
*1991 Olympia(Place: 12th)
*1991 IFBB Niagara Falls Pro(Place: 3)
*1991 IFBB Night of Champions (Place: 6)
*1989 Olympia (Place: 16)
*1989 IFBB Niagara Falls Pro (Place: 3)
*1989 IFBB Night of Champions (Place: 7)
*1987 IFBB Night of Champions (Place: 10)
*1986 National Bodybuilding Championship Light Heavyweight (Place: 1) Earned Pro Card
*1985 National Bodybuilding Championship Light Heavyweight (Place: 2)
*1984 National Bodybuilding Championship Light Heavyweight (Place: 3)
*1984 Junior USA Light Heavyweight (Place: 1)

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu