Lou Ferrigno traveled to ETSU Thursday and brought about a large turnout for the event sponsored by ETSU Disability Services.Held in the Martha Street Auditorium of the D.P. Culp Center, Ferrigno stepped on stage after 7:20 p.m. and spoke about his life and journey to make it as both an actor and a bodybuilder, despite living with disabilities.

The room was full of students, faculty and fans in anticipation of his arrival. Staff for the event wore purple shirts with green text that read “Lou at ETSU,” the colors likely being an homage to the Incredible Hulk color scheme.

“My motto in life – diversity builds character,” Ferrigno said. “We all have to maximize what we have.”

Ferrigno began his speech by talking about how his hearing disability came to be. His parents and doctors were unaware of an ear infection that he had as an infant.

The antibiotics used today were not available then and as a result, he lost 80 percent of his hearing.

Ferrigno said he had to “work twice as hard as the average person” to make it in life and achieve the things he wanted to.

Ferrigno spoke about his childhood and issues he had with other children because of how different he was.

He became an avid reader of comic books and took a liking to Superman, but joked that after a failed attempt at flying, he decided to become a fan of the Hulk instead.

The star of the Incredible Hulk TV series said that seeing Dave Draper, a bodybuilder who Ferrigno admired, posing on the cover of a magazine inspired him to get into the bodybuilding industry.

At the age of 19, Ferrigno finished 23rd in his first competition.

Despite the finish, standing on stage in front of the audience gave him a personal satisfaction and he knew that was what he wanted to do.

While talking about his body building career, Ferrigno spoke about the importance of physical fitness for anyone.

“If you don’t take care of your body, you’re not taking care of your mind,” Ferrigno said.

Ferrigno talked about his difficult relationship with his father growing up. His father couldn’t approve of him because he “wasn’t perfect.”

At the age of 21, Lou won his first of two consecutive Mr. Universe titles, but his father was upset because his son’s interview couldn’t be shown on TV due to Ferrigno’s speech problem. He took action to improve his speech, despite his age.

“I believed nothing was impossible,” Ferrigno said. “It’s never too late to do anything.”

The Los Angeles Couty deputy talked about reaching the goals and dreams he had set in his life, such as being cast on the Incredible Hulk TV show.

He also spoke about why most people are afraid to “make that change to get what [they] want.”

“People are afraid to handle success,” Ferrigno said. “People are afraid to move forward.”

Ferrigno answered questions from the audience. He was asked about a variety of issues, from children’s fitness to his thoughts on the 2008 Hulk film starring Edward Norton.

One fan even asked to hear the infamous “Hulk smash” line that the character is known for, and Ferrigno gladly accepted. After speaking, Ferrigno signed autographs outside the auditorium.

“I really didn’t even know he had a disability until recently,” said Sarah Baumgardner, an ETSU student who worked as staff for the event. “He was great. It was really helpful for a lot of people.”

Those in attendance gave high praise to Ferrigno’s way of taking time to listen to the audience.

“I thought the whole thing was great,” said Matthew Johnson, a 22-year-old ETSU alumni. “He seemed like he was so much more well spoken.

“I’ve been to hear a few different speakers, but he actually took the time to answer questions. That meant a lot.

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