Nordonia Alumni - Where are they now?Where are they now?

Where are they now? Ed King 1977 Nordonia Graduate

March 25, 2018

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My Name is Edwin King and I’m a graduate of Nordonia High School class of 1977. My family moved to Macedonia when I was 14 years old and I still live on that same street. I have 2 brothers and 1 sister, all who attended Nordonia High School as well. I have been married now, to my beautiful wife Cindy, for 38 years and have 3 wonderful boys all whom have also graduated from Nordonia High School.

I was not one of the “popular kids” at Nordonia. I had my group of friends but I never played any organized sports or attended any social events. I kind of flew under the radar. I graduated as a Merit Award recipient and was in the top 10% of my graduating class. After high school I attended Akron University and graduated with a degree in Restaurant Management. I ended up working for York Steak House and soon was promoted to the General Manager position at the age of 21. I was in the restaurant business for 12 years.

At the age of 17 I started lifting weights at home in my parents basement. I soon fell in love with it. (I was a skinny kid weighing only 135lbs at the time of my high school graduation) In 1977 I went to see Arnold Schwarzenegger’s movie Pumping Iron. When I walked out of that theater I knew then that I wanted to take my bodybuilding to the next level and somehow find a way to make a living at it.

I left my parents basement and joined a local gym. Over the years I competed in many bodybuilding competitions eventually winning a state championship and a regional championship. Since I have been a drug free athlete my whole life, I could not go any farther in the sport of bodybuilding. Soon after I started to train for the sport of Powerlifting. There was, and still is, a drug free organization called the USAPL which I joined and competed in for many years. During my Powerlifting career I became a State Champion holding many state records. In addition to my completive career within the USAPL organization, my brother Frank and I promoted the USAPL State Powerlifting Championships for 25 years. We also had the honor to promote several National Championships and one World Championship with over 30 countries participating. We are both State and National Judges for the USAPL as well.

I have always had an entrepreneurial spirt. I was the kid in the neighborhood that was always organizing my friends to sell blackberries on the street and lemonade on the corner. I have always wanted to own my own business. In 1987 my brother Frank and I opened up Kings Gym. We worked many long hours for many years making our business what it is today. We recently celebrated our 30th anniversary. In 2016 Kings Gym was awarded “BEST INDEPENDENT GYM” in Cleveland Magazines BEST OF CLEVELAND addition.

Kings Gym has many unique services. We are the last of the more serious training facilities in the area. We also have a boxing club which is one of the most popular programs we offer. Personal Training however is our number one business. We train hundreds of clients every week. Our business continues to grow with our main priority and focus being the improvement of wellness within our customer’s lives.

As I mentioned, we have a boxing club at Kings Gym. Over the years I have been involved in that business in many capacities. I started out managing World Heavyweight Champion Vonda Ward. I managed her career for 10 years until she retired. It was a great experience with history making results. I’m currently a level 2 USA Boxing judge and referee. Kings Gym, along with Vonda, promote two amateur boxing shows a year. As you can see, we are” ALL IN” when it comes to the boxing business.

I feel that I have led a fantastic life so far. Even though I have worked extremely hard over the years to achieve many goals, I consider myself lucky. Lucky that I look forward to work every day and to do what I love, lucky to have a supportive and amazing wife and family, and lucky to be an American. I have experienced many things in my 58 years. My wife and I have traveled the world visiting over 45 countries. We have summited Mount Kilimanjaro (one of the 7 summits), been to Mount Everest, walked the Great Wall of China, and explored the Great Pyramids to name a few of our amazing adventures.

In conclusion, I’m looking forward to what life brings next and to experience all that it has to offer. Our family continues to grow with our son’s getting married soon and possibly Grandchildren in the future. Not soon enough according to my wife!!