1 Olympia Megazine CONTENT S On t h e c o v e r Who is RONNIE COLEMAN ?? 2 - 3 RONNIE COLEMAN Surgeries 4 BODY OF WORK Alumnus Phil Heath talk s about his journey to Mr. Olympia 6 - 7 What are the risk s of STERIOD USE 8 - 9 TOP 5 Mr Olympia in The World 10 - 11 Ronnie “ The King” Coleman
2 Olympia Megazine Who Is Ronnie Coleman ? R onnie Coleman is a retired IFBB professional Open division bodybuilder and police officer. He’s most known for winning the prestigious Mr. Olympia title eight times and is widely considered one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time. Ronnie Dean Coleman was born in Monroe Louisiana. As with many success stories, Coleman started with very little before he achieved stardom. Coleman was involved in sports at a young age and being from the south, football was a no-brainer. But young Ronnie was always a genetic freak and by high-school, he was a force to be reckoned with on the gridiron. He was awarded a scholarship to attend Grambling State University where he also played football as a middle linebacker for the GSU Tigers. He graduated with a BSc in accounting. Coleman decided to try and find work as an accountant, relocating to Texas in hopes of finding better opportunities out west. Unfortunately for young Coleman, he’d have no luck and instead, got a job at Domino’s Pizza to pay the bills. With very little money, he’d eat pizza from his workplace every day. That may sound like heaven to some, but he hated it. Thankfully, he moved on and became a police officer in Arlington, Texas after learning of the opening from a newspaper. He served for many years (1989-2000 and up to 2003 as a reserve) and for some of those, he balanced working as a sheriff with being Mr. Olympia. But it was during his time at the station that a friend and fellow officer, Gustavo Arlotta, convinced him to train at the MetroFlex gym close by that was owned by Brian Dobson. And you may know the famous story about Coleman being offered a free gym membership in exchange for competing at the Mr. Texas competition. So Coleman agreed and Dobson, who was a bodybuilder, trained Coleman and the future legend went on to not only win the heavyweight and overall category, but he also beat Dobson too. He was 26 at the time. At this point, there was no denying that Coleman had a v e r y bright f u - ture i n body - building. But he’d face many obstacles before he became an icon. After winning the Mr. Texas amateur show, Coleman competed at the 1990 NPC Championships and placed third, which was not good enough for him. So he took a step back and made the necessary adjustments to his physique so he could be as competitive as possible. Well, that was a good move on his part as he came back in 1991 and not only won the World Amateur Championships in Poland; he also earned his Pro Card with a physique that was worthy to compete with the best. He looked incredible. But upon reaching pro level, the then 27-year-old Coleman realized there were levels to bodybuilding competition, having to go up against some killers. In fact, at the 1992 Chicago Pr o Championships, he was up a g a i n s t beasts like Kevin Levrone, Bob Paris, and Milos Sarcev. He took 11th but it was a learning experience and could only motivate him to get better. Coleman also had his first powerlifting competition in 1994 between competing. He did not win a show until the 1995 Canada Pro Cup where he defeated legends Rich Gaspari and Milos Sarcev, and that must have been a big relief after a threeRonnie “ The King” Coleman
Olympia Megazine 3 year drought.From there, he gradually began to make a name for himself and ended up winning the same competition the very next year, even beating the favorite Flex Wheeler. Coleman won the 1998 Mr. Olympia, his first Olympia title, after having placed 9th the previous year where Dorian Yates was champion (retired after last Olympia win). He beat runner-up Flex Wheeler and went on to do this a few times but he also beat several other seriously talented competitors. Among the elite athletes that he defeated during those eight years include Kevin Levrone, Shawn Ray, Lee Priest, Nasser El Sonbaty, Chris Cormier, Dexter Jackson, Jay Cutler, Ernie Taylor, Gunther Schlierkamp, Dennis James, Markus Ruhl, Gustavo Badell, Melvin Anthony, Victor Martinez, and more. His reign lasted from 1998-2005, tying him with Lee Haney for most wins at the Mr. Olympia, which still stands to this day. Unfortunately, no one can remain on top forever and Coleman was dethroned at the 2006 Mr. Olympia by future 4x champion Jay Cutler. He did c over. He took 4th place at his last Olympia and also retired from the sport, a very emotional day for fans and the Olympia. His rise to the top was incredibly inspiring because he didn’t always dominate the competition stage. No… in fact, there were several years where he couldn’t get a single win. Still, he fought and did what was necessary to be able to have a shot at Olympia gold and succeeded beyond expectation. There’s no denying that most bodybuilding fans and legends believe Ronnie Coleman is the greatest of all time. His size, proportions, freakiness, vascularity, symmetry, and cool factor are unmatched. While Ronnie Coleman has some of the best genetics ever, there was no denying his elite work ethic both in and out of the gym. Few would dare to go the places he would during his epic training sessions and it showed on stage. Known for his massive 800+lb squats and deadlifts, those of his era were truly privileged to watch a king during his prime. Although we’re not taking anything away from the other amazing competitors that he faced. Coleman still trains to this day but we wanted to share some of the workouts he was famous for when he was dominating the Open division for almost a decade. During prep and the offseason, Ronnie Coleman wasn’t afraid to have his chicken loaded with barbeque sauce and grits like a true southern boy. As a result, Coleman’s diet wasn’t anything flashy.For breakfast, he’d eat eggs and grits. He’d then have a protein shake, and Lunch would usually be chicken breast with bbq sauce, rice, and beans, corn, and cornbread. His next meal included chicken breast and potatoes. He’d also eat out at a restaurant sometimes and had a few protein shakes throughout the day. He also took supplements from his sponsors. “ Ever ybody want to be a bodybuilder, but don’ t nobody want to lift no heavy ass weight ”
4 Olympia Megazine Ronnie Coleman Surgeries A fter having one of the most illustrious bodybuilders careers ever, things took a very unfortunate turn for Ronnie Coleman. All the years of extremely heavy lifting took its toll and consequently, caused him to need multiple back surgeries and a few hip surgeries as well. This was somewhat of a controversial issue as there were opposing views for why he needed to undergo so many surgeries. Coleman would train after a surgery and many would point this out as the cause. Coleman did acknowledge this and chose to let himself fully recover before doing any resistance training. Although, he did explain having several very expensive surgeries due to surgeon error. Coleman cannot walk due to his condition. Coleman spent a few million dollars on his procedures. He doesn’t regret for one moment training as heavy as he did though and wishes he would have done more to see how far he could’ve gone. Business Success and Personal Life Many companies have sponsored Ronnie Coleman throughout his career, including ABB, Met-Rx, Weider, and BSN in 2005. He’s also been on the cover of various major bodybuilding magazines and has traveled the world to speak and promote. Let’s just say, there’s never been a shortage of opportunities for Coleman. His most notable training and day in the life videos include The Unbelievable, The Cost of Redemption, and On The Road. Filmmaker Vlad Yudin, also known for Generation Iron, made a documentary about Coleman’s life called Ronnie Coleman: The King that was featured on Netflix. Coleman launched his product line Ronnie Coleman Signature Series in 2011. He also has books about his life. In 1998, Coleman met personal trainer Rouaida Christine Achkar in Paris at a sports exposition in Paris. They got married in 2007 but eventually separated. In 2016, he met Susan Williamson who was also a personal trainer. They live in Arlington Texas and have four children together. Ronnie Coleman is a Christian. Ronnie Coleman is not only loved because of what he accomplished on stage, but the hype techniques he used before a big lift, such as yelling “yeah buddy”, lightweight baby” and nothing but a peanut,” went absolutely viral with the fitness and bodybuilding community. In fact, it’s been used in many YouTube videos due to its humorous nature. Ronnie Coleman Surgeries
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6 Olympia Megazine P hil Heath thought basketball was his destiny.He was wrong. Though Heath came to the University of Denver on a basketball scholarship, he ended up finding much more success in the world of bodybuilding. In 2012 he claimed his second consecutive Mr. Olympia title, and in September 2013, he’ll return to Las Vegas to try for his third. Heath, who grew up in Seattle, came to the University in 1998 to play on DU’s first Division I basketball team. Though he had dreams of going pro, his hoops career came to an end in 2002, when the team was eliminated from the Sun Belt Tournament in the first round. “Something was just not easy with that. I didn’t like it,” Heath says. “Hearing the buzzer sound and your career is done. I was going to class, and I was still living in the basketball house, so I’m still seeing the guys compete, and it hurt. I despised basketball for a long time. I didn’t go to a game for three years.” But what Heath thought was an ending turned out to be a beginning. As he was finishing his academic career at DU, he was introduced to bodybuilding by a chance encounter with a classmate in the Daniels College of Business. Intrigued, he started working out at the Coors Fitness Center on campus with a group of aspiring musclemen. “I start training with these guys, and I realize I’m stronger than most of them who have already been bodybuilding for years,” Heath says. “I end up working a night job with them over at Jackson’s Hole, in the LoDo area, where they’re all bouncers. I thought, ‘This is pretty cool; these guys get paid to stand there looking huge? This is neat.’” Six months later, Heath competed in his first tournament. In 2006, he won his first two professional events, the Colorado Pro Championships and the New York Pro Championship. He placed fifth at the Arnold Classic in 2007 and competed at his first Mr. Olympia in 2008. He worked his way to second place in 2010, and in 2011defeated reigning champ Jay Cutler. Heath took bodybuilding’s biggest prize for the BODY OF WORK Alumnus Phil Heath talk s about his journey to Mr. Olympia
Olympia Megazine 7 second time in 2012. As Mr. Olympia, Heath travels more than 200,000 miles a year for seminars, appearances, competitions and signings in countries all around the world. He also is the star of “Generation Iron,” a new bodybuilding documentary that screened in theaters over the summer. “I think Phil is definitely one of the best Mr. Olympias that we have had,” says Robin Chang, executive director of the annual contest. “I would say he is the current Arnold Schwarzenegger of bodybuilding. He’s got the personality, the charisma, he’s got the physique to back it up, and he’s a fan favorite.” Despite all his success, Heath had an additional weight to carry: Competition had taken him away from DU before he had the chance to finish his degree. More than a decade after he first set foot on campus as a freshman basketball player, Heath returned in 2012 to complete his BSBA in information technology — training he uses to run his own website and manage his own merchandising. “He knew he wouldn’t be complete, no matter what he did on the stage or in the gym, until he had finished this,” says Greg Grauberger (MPS ’12), manager of undergraduate student programs at the Daniels College and Heath’s academic adviser. “There are a lot of guys and gals out there who participated here, whether they were in sports or just academics, who didn’t finish and some of them never think about it. Here’s a guy who has done extremely well; he would never ever need to have a degree with everything that he’s done, but he just felt that he had to do it. I really thought a lot of him for that.” As he prepares to vie for his third title, Heath is confident he will be Mr. Olympia for a third time. But even if he doesn’t take home the crown, he is happy knowing he reached a pinnacle that few ever even attempted. “You win the Mr. Olympia, you are the best in the world,” he says. “There is no better than that. Some people will think back prior to the 1950s, where Mr. Universe was the top guy. They say, ‘Are you Mr. Universe?’ ‘No, I’m Mr. Olympia, which is the best of all. By Greg Glasgow
8 Olympia Megazine What Are the Risk s of Steroid Use? Anabolic Steroids Anabolic steroids are synthetic (manmade) hormones that can boost the body’s ability to make muscle and prevent muscle breakdown. Some athletes take steroids in the hopes that they will help them run faster, hit farther, lift heavier weights, jump higher, or have more endurance. In the United States, it is against the law to use anabolic steroids without a prescription.Androstenedione, or “andro,” is a kind of anabolic steroid taken by athletes who want to build muscle. It is a controlled substance because of its suspected health risks and available only by prescription. There is little or no evidence that it has any significant anabolic effects. Why Do People Use Steroids? Some professional baseball players, cyclists, and track stars have been accused of and in some cases have admitted to using steroids to give them an edge competitively. Steroid use has trickled down to younger athletes too, who face pressure to be stronger and faster, and to make it to college and professional leagues.Steroids promise bold results, but there is little proof that they deliver them. But they can cause harm with some ill effects not likely to turn up until years later. How Do Anabolic Steroids Work? Anabolic steroids are drugs that resemble the chemical structure of the sex hormone testosterone, which is made naturally by the body. Testosterone directs the body to make or enhance male characteristics, such as increased muscle mass, facial hair growth, and deepening of the voice, and is an important part of male development during puberty. When anabolic steroids increase the levels of testosterone in the blood, they stimulate muscle tissue in the body to grow larger and stronger. But the effects of too much testosterone circulating in the body can be harmful over time. What Are the Risks of Anabolic Steroids? Anabolic steroids are dangerous for various reasons: • They’re illegal. • They can cause health problems, especially when used in large doses over time. The problems may not appear until years after a person took the steroids. • Buying them online can be risky because they might be counterfeit and could have added toxic substances in them.
Olympia Megazine 9 Legal Risks and Other Problems Besides the health risks, people who use steroids without a prescription are breaking the law. Drug testing for all athletes is common, and those who fail a drug test for steroids can face legal consequences, including jail time, monetary fines, being banned from an event or team, or forfeiture of trophies or medals. Andro use is banned by many sports organizations, including the International Olympic Committee, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the Association of Tennis Professionals, and most high school athletic associations. Steroids can also have serious psychological side effects. Some users may become aggressive or combative, believe things that aren’t true (delusions), or have extreme feelings of mistrust or fear (paranoia). And people who use steroids also appear to be at higher risk for using other drugs, such as alcohol or cocaine, often to counteract some of the negative effects of steroids. Steroid users who inject the drugs with a needle are at risk for infection with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), the virus that causes AIDS, if they share needles with other users. People who use dirty needles are also at risk for contracting hepatitis, a liver disease, or bacterial endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart. Steroids: Stacking and Addiction Some people “cycle” their steroid doses. This means they take multiple doses of steroids over a period of time, stop for a period, then start up again. “Stacking” means taking two or more different anabolic steroids. Other steroid users may “pyramid” their steroids, starting with a low dose and gradually increasing the dose, frequency, or number of anabolic steroids taken, then tapering off to complete a cycle. Users believe that stacking enhances the effects of each individual drug, pyramiding allows the body to get used to high doses of steroids, and steroid-free periods help the body recuperate from the drugs. There is no scientific evidence to support any of these claims. A lot of people tell themselves they’ll only use steroids for a season or a school year. Unfortunately, steroids can be addictive, making it hard to stop taking them. And once users stop taking steroids, they can have withdrawal symptoms such as loss of appetite, tiredness, restlessness, insomnia, mood swings, and depression. Possible Side Effects and Health Problems of Anabolic Steroids Although they might help build muscle, steroids can have very serious side effects. Using them for a long time can harm the reproductive system. In males, steroids can lead to impotence, reduced sperm production in the testicles, and even smaller testicle size. Females who use steroids may have problems with their menstrual cycles because steroids can disrupt the maturation and release of eggs from the ovaries. This can cause long-term problems with fertility. When taken for a long time, steroids also can cause: • stunted growth in teens (by making bones mature too fast and stop growing at an early age) • liver tumors • abnormal enlargement of the heart muscles • violent, aggressive behavior and mood swings • blood lipid problems that contribute to heart disease • acne (or a worsening of acne) • increased breast growth in males, especially teens • irreversible stretch marks • a higher risk for hair loss and male-pattern baldness • muscle aches In females, they also can lead to: • male-type facial and body hair growth and male-pattern baldness • deepening of the voice • enlargement of the clitoris
10Olympia Megazine To p 5 Mr Olympia i n The Wo r l d Ronnie “ The King” Coleman Lee Haney “ TotaLee Awesome”
11 Olympia Megazine Arnold “ The Austrian Oak ” Schwarzenegger Dorian Yates “ The Shadow ” Phil “ The Gift ” Heath
12Olympia Megazine NEVER GIVE UP EXCLUSIVE AND HIGH QUALIT Y