'BodyBreak's Hal Johnson reveals iconic series was created 'to combat racism'

Hal Johnson is something of a household name in Canada if you grew up in the '80s-early '90s, when he and wife Joanne McLeod fronted the popular BodyBreak PSAs, which aired across Canadian networks. Encouraging the masses to "keep it fit and have fun," the pair reportedly first met in the gym. But, contrary to what fans might think, BodyBreak wasn’t borne solely out of a desire to promote a healthy lifestyle.In a new YouTube video shared on June 15, the 62-year-old fitness legend explained the series true origins, which came as a surprise to many. “You think that BodyBreak was started because of fitness. Well, it wasn’t. It was started to combat racism,” Hal revealed.Johnson goes on to explain how, in 1988, he was hired as a sports reporter by TSN (which is owned by Bell Media, etalk's parent company) during an enthusiastic phone call. According to Hal, later that day he received another phone call from the same TSN contact, who he says was "almost in tears" as he rescinded the offer because "they don’t want to have two Black reporters.” Johnson says he was "obviously very disappointed."A month after the TSN call, Hal met Joanne, but BodyBreak didn't start immediately. He details another incident in which he was shooting a fitness commercial in Toronto, where his white male and white female co-stars were asked to switch places in proximity to him. During a meal break he asked why the move was made, to which he was told the client didn't want viewers to think he and his white co-star were romantically linked. And instead of getting mad, he followed the advice of his father. “I didn’t get mad. I just thought about it. My dad always, always told me never get mad at something, because when you get mad you can’t find solution to it.”[video_embed id='1978738']RELATED: Hal Johnson shares the origin of BodyBreak[/video_embed]It was that afternoon that Johnson started storyboarding an idea for BodyBreak. He says, "I thought, 'How can I change things?'" Adding, “I wanted to show that regardless of your physical ability, your ethnicity, the colour of your skin, we can all live, work and play together.”After he and Joanne fully developed the show's concept, they took it to different networks. He notes that each company turned them down, and then he went to TSN again and presented it to the program director whom he says, "loved the show" but ultimately rejected it. "We don't think the Canadian public is ready for a Black and white couple together." Johnson claims the network offered to air the series, if he replaced was replaced by a white male. That's when he reached out to ParticipACTION, who he says "within a very very short period of time" gave BodyBreak a six-episode contract, which eventually turned into 65.In response to his video, TSN issued an apology on Twitter, recognizing the incident as a “shameful part of their past.”

An apology to Hal Johnson (@bodybreak) from TSN: pic.twitter.com/vOih7kiiox

— TSN PR (@TSN_PR) June 16, 2020

Hal spoke to CP24 during a June 16 segment about his thoughts on TSN's apology. "They certainly didn't need to do that." He went on to say that he felt the sports network's actions years ago were rooted in fear of the unknown. He also noted that he's more interested in constructive conversations about moving forward.In the description of the YouTube video, Johnson wrote that as someone who grew up in Canada and the U.S., he has a unique perspective on how each country faces prejudice."As a Black man, my perspective of both countries is quite different than those of my white friends. Racism in the U.S. is in your face. It’s always present. But in Canada, it’s there but subtle.”The TV personality went on to explain that over the last few weeks, given the anti-Black racistm demonstrations and conversations that have dominated news headlines and social media, he’s had a number of his white friends reach out to ask what they can do to combat systemic racism.  “I simply say LISTEN”, Johnson explained. “For my entire life, in order to succeed, I have had to become a chameleon and conform to society. For the first time in my life I feel white people want to learn and want to listen.”Johnson joins many others in Canadian media and indeed across various industries, sharing their experiences with racism at work in an effort to educate those who want to listen and, more importantly, inspire real change. “It can also give us hope that we can get through this time stronger and more unified than ever”, Johnson continues. “I am extremely hopeful this is a new day for all of us to come together.”[video_embed id='1977905']BEFORE YOU GO: Jessie Reyez takes a powerful stand against the Canadian music industry[/video_embed]