You wouldn’t expect a man who has won a monster arm wrestling competition to be the sensitive type, but gym owner Ron Magnum might be the exception. This winter he plans to release his first inspirational book.Maxims in his new book, ‘The Chronicles and Excerpts of Divine Wisdom and Food For Thought’ include,” through suffering we learn obedience”, “give the world and those you love the best that you have and the best things in life will come back to you”, and the slightly puzzling, “when fate hands you sour grapes, you need to make Kool Aid”.For several years, Mr Magnum, owner of Magnum Power Force Gym, has been sending articles about health and fitness to 2,000 people on the gym’s e-mail list.At the bottom of each article, he includes one of his sayings. They have proven to be as popular as the fitness articles, and his clients have frequently suggested he put them together into a book.“I have been writing these things since 1969 when I was in junior high school,” said Mr Magnum. “I am an American. Life was great growing up in Hamden, Connecticut.“I was always a good athlete and an honour roll student. In high school I wrote exactly the way I felt about things, and I have been doing that ever since.”Mr Magnum spent two years in the Marine Corps in the 1970s. He moved to Bermuda 21 years ago when he married his Bermudian wife, Karen.Over the years he has won numerous fitness, weightlifting and body building awards.The cover of the book is a picture of him flexing after he won the Natural Mr American competition in California.This was a body building competition for people who worked their muscles the natural way, without steroids.To qualify he had to take both a lie-detector test and a drug test.He has also won titles such as Mr Bodybuilding USA, Monster Arm Wrestling (light-heavy undefeated champion) and Pro-Wrestler from the New England Wrestling Association.Mr Magnum describes himself as “an achiever”.“Everything I went after I won,” he said. “It was not easy. It is hard work to do whatever you want to do in life.“Some people get handed things, but my family wasn’t rich. Now, I am a simple person, and I do what comes naturally to me.“I enjoyed working with young people and adults on the 100 Day Challenge that comes up every year. That is what I specialise in, helping people get in shape.”He said the more contemplative side of his character is a gift.“I also write poetry, although most of what’s in the book is philosophical stuff,” he said. “Sometimes these quotes just come out when I am working with clients. Over the years, it has gotten easier to come up with things.“Many people have suggested I try doing a book. I wasn’t really interested because I didn’t have enough material.“Now I am 55 years old I decided to try because I had enough material. It is based on my own personal experience. Stuff just comes to me and I just start writing.“If it is not the way I like it I go through it and change it and make it more presentable.”The book is being published through Dorrance Publishing.To order the book telephone Kathleen Hark of Dorrance Publishing at 1-800-834-1803 or at khaak[AT]dorrancepublishing.com, through the website www.dorrancebookstore.com or by calling Mr Magnum at 599-8796 or 292-7007.