Bodybuilders are not immortal; they will all die sometime.
But this Bodybuilder was just 30 years old. He was not the most well-known man in the world. He was not even the most well-known in his chosen sport of bodybuilding. He was an American heavyweight, winner of a number of state titles and consistently placing in the middle of the line-ups at National level.
He was a big man, 6ft tall, with a contest weight of about 265 lbs. He always looked like a bodybuilder with great potential and, perhaps, one day, he could have achieved that potential. He earned his living from modelling and “escort” work, a life style which would not have had everyone’s approval. But those who knew him said that he was a friendly and helpful guy. Now, it’s all over. Life snuffed out in youth. Why did an apparently fit and healthy man die so young?
It is many years now since I went to my first bodybuilding contest and in the intervening years, the standards of physiques on display have got higher and higher. We all know that a Mr. Universe from 1970 would struggle to win a good novice contest nowadays. There is always great anticipation going to contests from year to year expecting to see ever freakier bodybuilders. Even though the standard of development achieved by top level competitors is already extremely high, we can expect ever more awesome displays of muscle in the future. Or can we?
No one [unless that person is a pessimistic fool] will predict limits to human endeavour, because he [or she] will almost certainly be proved wrong sooner or later. Recently, we have been recalling the day in 1953 when Mt. Everest was climbed for the first time. Prior to that year there had been many attempts to get to the top and many men had died trying. Some suggested that the altitude of 29,000 ft [8,838 m] was just too much and that the peak would remain impossible for ever. Now many go to the top of the mountain every year. It is still not an easy thing to do – people still die on the mountain – but climbers know that it can be done and the mental block has gone.
So with bodybuilding. Years ago to be 6ft tall with a 50 in chest was considered superhuman but now any decent 6ft bodybuilder will have a 50in chest even before he thinks about competing. Over 60in is more like big! Every serious bodybuilder wants to be the best he can be and he knows, even if he is still several years away from approaching Pro standard, that he has to plan to be bigger and better than the top guys today. It’s a tall order and to some extent has been a cause of many men deciding not to bother trying – consider the time, the costs and the health risks.
The difference between a top bodybuilder and the Joe Public man-in-the-street is far greater now than it has ever been. Standards have risen because of improved training, improved nutrition, improved understanding of physiology, improved pre-contest dieting, improved life-style and drugs. All of these have had important effects but it is the drugs aspect which I want to consider.
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another great article, love reading this stuff before i get off to the gym,
Hi Mick, 61 yrs old in Sept and training going strong after long lay off due to 2 operations but nowte to do with Steroids. Which leads to the health Q and steroids. They seem to have really helped this old guy over the years, so why did this young one die.!!!!!!!!!!!!! take care Eddie
The way the Contests are going i can see a 300ib man being on stage in the coming years.
People want to see freaks sadly.
Its a shame because the old school was synthetically more pleaseing
ANOTHER GREAT ARTICLE MICK. CAN’T WAIT FOR THE REST OF IT.
I AM 51 YRS AND STARTING TO LIFT AGAIN, AFTER A 4 YEAR SABATICAL. ALREADY FEEL BIGGER AND LOOK FORWARD TO REGAINING WHAT I ONCE HAD.
these so called massive bodybuilders like ron coleman and jay cutler look like freaks.they are too big and have fat waistlines.ask alot of bodybuilding fans and they will tell you that the golden age of bodybuilding was the 70,s with muscular but sleek bodies and waistlines.bigger is not always better.
a real good article mick I like your stories and everytime everybody who reads this gets a little wiser thanx man greetings nico
Another life cut way too short always makes us stop and think about where our own life is going. Thankyou for sharing this sad story.
The greater the risk is, the greater the reward.
Great article! Can’t wait to read the rest of the story.
Hi Mick, great article and I like your style and admire your knowledge.
Bigger is better, thats why we train, eat and take everything that goes with it. The freaks of today will be tomorrow’s standards.
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