Tag: peds
Flex Wheeler Told By Docs He Needs TRT for Life, Relives Synthol and Insulin Use: “It Created So Much Scar Tissue”
Flex Wheeler still gives back to the bodybuilding community years after his retirement. In The Menace Podcast with Dennis James, Wheeler discussed competing ‘naturally, using testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), and recapped his experiences with insulin and site-enhancement oils such as synthol.
For more than two decades, Wheeler was a global phenomenon in the sport of bodybuilding. He displayed an unforgettable blend of aesthetics, proportions, and v-taper with many also crediting him for his flexibility, slim waist, and graceful posing skills.
While he never laid claim to a Mr. Olympia title, he came remarkably close. Despite his status as a heavy favorite at the 1998 Mr. Olympia, Wheeler fell to Ronnie Coleman after introducing ‘The King’ to his long-time coach Chad Nicholls.
Wheeler’s incredible run in bodybuilding was filled with obstacles, many of which he still endures today. In 2019, Wheeler lost his right leg by amputation following a medical complication. In addition, he’s suffered from an array of health scares in the hospital. Currently, his transplanted kidneys are showing signs of failure, which he discussed in detail on a previous The Menace Podcast appearance with Dennis James.
In his latest undertaking, Flex Wheeler looked back on beating drug tests and competing ‘naturally.’ He also reflected on his use of TRT, insulin, and synthol in a conversation with James, Milos Sarcev, and Chris Cormier.
Flex Wheeler: “I Was Natural, I Passed the Tests and I Took What the Doctors Told Me To”
While Milos Sarcev doesn’t believe Wheeler was natural when he returned to the sport, Flex said he passed drug tests and took what doctors told him to take in a legal manner.
“I didn’t tell the truth already, but the pierce is the problem that you want to bring that up. Natural, half-natural, whatever you want to call it,” said Flex Wheeler.
“It was different. The clear – there’s no such thing as a half-natural, almost natural, and this kind of stuff. There’s no such thing, you’re either or right?” asked Milos Sarcev.
“I’m natural. I was natural. I passed the tests and I took what the doctors told me to take,” said Wheeler. [If a doctor gives you testosterone are you natural?] I don’t know I guess there’s an argument right but I wasn’t taking it illegally, I was on prescriptions at that time for health reasons.”
As for his testosterone, Wheeler recounted his levels being at 79, which prompted him to receive TRT to bring him back to a ‘natural level.’
“I’m not a doctor, I don’t know, I’m being sincere, I’m being serious, I would think if it’s bringing your hormones back to a natural level, and you’re down to, I think I was at 79 when I started, somewhere around that right, because I definitely wasn’t competing in the 2000s like I was.”
“USADA doesn’t allow testosterone replacement. If you get it from a doctor because your test level is super low and you got this limp spaghetti, they will not allow for you to do testosterone replacement, that’s considered doping,” said Dennis James.
Wheeler said he used EPO and growth hormone while receiving dialysis for his kidneys.
“Seriously though, seriously, not joking, what’s crazy is when I was on dialysis, they were giving me EPO and GH,” added Wheeler.
“When you say you were natural, and I know that you were not natural, we all know that you were not natural and you tried to force it, and you passed the test, I wasn’t in the project world record for people passing tests left and right. Passing a test and being natural are two completely different things,” said Sarcev.
‘The Sultan of Symmetry’ highlighted that he took minimum dosages after returning to the stage later in his career. He was informed by doctors that he would be required to take TRT for the rest of his life or face health consequences.
“I was taking such minimum dosages, right? It has nothing to do with being gifted. I was taking what my doctors were prescribing me right? What Milos is saying right, when I went back to doing what we normally do, there was a massive change,” Wheeler replied.
“I didn’t take anything illegal. I didn’t even take any diuretics, Clenbuterol, or anything. I did only what my doctors said to take and even at that time I stopped taking EPO. So for me, that is as natural as I can get.”
“When they told me I had to go back on testosterone for the rest of my life I was so pissed because I stuck myself for over half my life and I was looking forward to never having to do it again, when he told me I had to…”
Wheeler Talks Losing Joe Weider Contract from Broken Neck and His Experiences with Synthol and Insulin
According to Wheeler, he lost his lucrative Joe Weider contract after breaking his neck. He was eventually diagnosed with colitis (the inflammation of the inner lining of the colon). Given Joe’s history, Wheeler was worried Weider would fire him for his health condition as well.
“I lost my contract with Joe Weider for breaking my neck. Nothing I had control over,” said Wheeler. “I can’t go in there and tell this dude the truth that I got an eating disorder if he’s going to drop me for breaking my neck. I told a lie. I told a lie to be able to keep my contract. He didn’t fire me for that, but he fired me for breaking my neck.”
“When he fired me, I lost my seven-story house. I had to go live with Neil,” said Wheeler.
Sarcev first brought up rumors that Kevin Levrone used 120 insulin shots before a single show. Wheeler admitted he used a product called Pump and Pose, which James confirmed was a site-enhancement oil. Looking back, Wheeler said he used the product in his calves and shoulders but avoided injecting it into his gluteal muscles.
“There was a rumor that he [Kevin Levrone] put 120 insulin shots for one show,” said Milos Sarcev.
“If you wanted to know who used the most [site enhancement oils] Kevin did,” said Wheeler. “Pump and Pose, I never messed with Synthol but I used Pump and Pose, the very first version of it. I wouldn’t mess with it later on.”
“That’s exactly what it is, Synthol,” said Dennis James. “Like Chris said, he stopped injecting his butt because it would cause it to inflame up. I understand it causes inflammation. The majority of the things that I would take, I would put them in my calves, and then I would only use in secular, the other stuff, for my shoulders. What happens is it created so much scar tissue.”
This isn’t the first time Wheeler has revealed details about compounds used throughout his career. He joined Dennis James for a discussion a month ago. Wheeler talked about a cycle he used in 1993 and stressed that competitors were taking minimal amounts back in the day.
And Wheeler isn’t the only 1990s pro bodybuilding veteran calling attention to rampant drug use in the sport today. Recently, Rich Gaspari, who pioneered striated glutes in competition, tackled the subject. He posited that athletes are abusing drugs on a more frequent basis instead of building a physique with hardcore training and a clean diet.
A living legend of bodybuilding, Flex Wheeler will always be adored by fans given his honest and straightforward nature. While Sarcev may doubt some of his natural claims, it’s evident Wheeler overcame adversity on a number of occasions during his career.
RELATED: Lee Haney: Open Athletes Are ’60-Lbs Overweight Traumatizing Themselves with Terrible Diets’
You can watch the full video below from the Muscle and Fitness YouTube channel:
Published: 3 July, 2023 | 12:37 PM EDT
Jay Cutler on New-Gen Athletes Openly Discussing Anabolics: “They Need to Be Careful”
Jay Culter looks over the Men’s Open division in retirement having firmly cemented his name in the record books. In the latest Cutler Cast Podcast, Cutler took questions from fans regarding a number of topics including his nutrition journal, whether younger athletes should openly discuss steroids, and his macro count.
During his tenure, Cutler distinguished himself from fellow competitors with a wide chest, great arms, and perhaps one of the strongest lower bodies of all time. His perseverance propelled him to a Mr. Olympia title in 2006 after he toppled ‘The King’ Ronnie Coleman. This victory prevented Coleman from winning a ninth Sandow, which would have broken the record he shares today with eight-time winner Lee Haney.
With four Olympia titles attached to his legacy, Cutler remains one of the greatest to take part in the sport. He hasn’t stepped on a pro stage in 10 years but maintains an impressive physique today. He recently committed to a body transformation which he intends to complete in August.
In addition to tracking his nutrition in a diary, Cutler has been forthcoming about his supplement and steroid use but only in retirement. With active competitors openly discussing gear nowadays, Cutler worries their transparency could cause problems down the road.
Jay Culter Talks Nutrition Diary, Creatine, Macros, and New Gen of Athletes Talking About Anabolics
Cutler confirmed that he kept a nutrition journal when he competed actively. He added that his journal would look vastly different from bodybuilding coach Milos Sarcev’s.
“I did. I did. I should compare mine to Milos’. See the difference between my log is mine’s all nutrition and training and Milos’ is all gear. He’s going to have to come on and defend himself. So yeah, I used to have these little books, these notebooks, I would have each show. They’re in my mom’s attic with all the magazines. Yeah, I could put them out. But today, [it’s in] your phone,” said Jay Cutler. “Who writes stuff down these days besides Milos,” said Jay Cutler. “Like do you see people in the gym doing log books anymore, they’re in their phones.”
Cutler believes the newer generation of competitors who discuss steroids openly are at risk for unwanted or unfavorable ‘exposure.’
“Man, that’s a huge topic [the younger generation of bodybuilders openly talking about anabolics]. I did a Greg Doucette interview, it’s probably the only one where I really talked about kind of got into usage and I’ll mention it a lot whether what I’m talking or TRT and you know everyone thinks there’s a lot of things outside of that are being used which is not the case. I don’t know, I don’t like it. I don’t like it because before we were first of all contracted by many different endorsement deals. I believe that no one that endorses something especially if it’s products or whatever else, they need to be careful when they talk about this. I’m sure you’ll give more reasons why. It’s not the greatest idea. It sets you up for a lot of exposure if that makes sense.”
Despite suspicions, Cutler stressed that he’s only using testosterone replacement therapy.
“You remember the team I had around me, I mean… you know what we did in bodybuilding I mean obviously is outside of what they call – it’s funny everyone say’s I’m on TRT now but they seem to be on their own TRT. I see a doctor. But no, they’re doing their own. They are getting their own supply. It’s not the right thing.”
As for creatine use, the four-time Mr. Olympia recommended five grams before, during, or after training.
“I think five grams I would take it either before, during, or after training. Sometimes you can split it maximum 10 grams. I think it’s the most long researched product that’s very great for giving yourself more strength, recovery, muscle fullness, remember it’s about keeping muscles full and getting your ATP output out of your muscle the most you know. I think it’s definitely beneficial,” shared Jay Cutler. “You can [use it while cutting] I mean, I would cut it out the last couple of weeks from the contest. I cut out any supplements a couple weeks out,” Cutler explained. “I think you would have to eat a lot of red meat to be honest [to get optimum creatine.”
Lastly, Jay Cutler detailed his macros as of late, which included 300 grams of protein and 500 grams of carbohydrates.
“I have no idea [total calories]. I would say about 3,500. I’m eating about 300 grams of protein a day and maybe 3-500 grams of carbs. Obviously, there’s fats in the meats I eat, the chicken, the steak, a couple whole eggs in the morning. Sometimes I add an avocado in there or almond butter or whatever. I’d say around that I was eating double when I was trying to get bigger so I was over 6. But I would say about 3,500 calories.”
This isn’t the first time that Cutler has detailed his nutrition at 49 years old. He recently took part in a JayCutler TV appearance where he opened up about keeping the metabolism guessing. He offered solutions for bulking without having to add a substantial amount of size. Cutler has a history of talking about bulking. In a Cutler Cast Podcast last year, the Massachusetts native revealed that he favors ‘lean bulking’ over dirty bulking. At the time, Cutler wasn’t obsessed with muscle mass but emphasized that most people these days aspire to keep leaner physiques. Steroid discussions continue to dominate discussions online, but Jay Cutler believes younger athletes should approach the subject with caution. In the meantime, Cutler’s focus is on kicking his transformation into overdrive in the next six weeks.
Watch the full video from the Cutler Cast YouTube channel below:
RELATED: Jay Cutler Says He’s Gained 15 Lbs During ‘Fit-for-50’ Challenge, Reveals New Physique Goals
Published: 1 July, 2023 | 4:07 AM EDT
Grappling Icon Gordon Ryan Re-Ignites Steroid Use Rumors After Insane Body Transformation
American grappling sensation Gordon Ryan made headlines for his crazy reverse body transformation two weeks ago. He appeared to have lost a significant amount of muscle mass and looked downsized in a major way. In a recent Instagram post, Ryan sparked rumors of potential steroid use after he shared another physique update with an absolutely ripped midsection.
Gordon Ryan started training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) at the age of 15 and soon joined prolific trainer John Danaher and fellow standouts Tom deBlass and Garry Tonon. His potential was evident from the start as he quickly worked his way up the ranks as a brown belt competitor. Eventually, he earned a black belt from his mentor Tonon in Feb. 2016. He racked up wins over several top-ranking grapplers like world champion Yuri Simoes and Keenan Cornelius.
Ryan came out on top of the 2017 ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) World Championship in the -88-kg weight division, beating the likes of Dillon Danis, Romulo Barrel, and Cornelius. He came close to winning the absolute division but fell short to Felipe Pena in the final.
As a BJJ contender, Ryan formed a team of all-stars under coach Danaher, aptly named The Danaher Death Squad. He joined Team Alpha Male, a pioneering mixed martial arts academy founded and led by former champion Urijah Faber. He led the team to victory in Quintet’s 2018 Tournament with submission wins over Craig Jones and Vitor Ribeiro.
‘The King’ suffered a knee injury and tore his LCL in his victory over Joao Gabriel Rocha at KASAI Super Series in 2019. The injury forced him to the sidelines for nearly six months. He picked up another major injury in a freak accident a few months later but it didn’t stop him from scoring gold at the ADCC in the -99-kg division.
Gordon Ryan established his status as a dominant no-gi grappling expert with an affinity for no-time limit submission-only matches. In 2021, Ryan signed with combat sports promotion ONE Championship. However, he didn’t make his debut under the banner due to health challenges. He needed to take a brief hiatus after his long-time stomach issues worsened.
Ryan created history at the 2022 ADCC by securing the top prize in the +99-kg division and in the super fight against Andre Galvao. It marked the first time an athlete competed in both the superfight and the weight category. He also recorded the fastest submission time in ADCC’s history with an 11-second heel hook finish of Roosevelt Sousa.
Earlier this year, Ryan pulled out of his scheduled outing with Pena due to his battle with stomach issues. He revealed that he suffered a serious case of Strep throat as a result of taking penicillin in May. As his stomach issues worsened, surgery was required to fix his deviated septum.
On May 30, Ryan left the fans stunned with an unbelievable reverse body transformation. He reported a negative reaction to overusing antibiotics and looked like a far cry from his usual jacked self. The change led to speculation from fans about whether the sudden change was a result of stopping steroid use instead of just poor gut health.
Gordon Ryan ignites rumors of steroid use after insane body transformation
In a recent Instagram post, Gordon Ryan shared a jacked body transformation showing off his huge build after seemingly recovering from his previous update.
While many are quick to assume the change is purely due to discontinuing and reusing steroids, it’s hard to imagine such a drastic shift in his physique in a matter of days. There is a high chance other factors such as lighting, posing, pump, diet intake, and camera trickery play a part in highlighting image contrast. It could also be his physique returning back to his original body composition, which would not have been possible had he not been in excellent shape in the first place.
“Lotta cockroaches out there who haven’t won anything or done anything in their pathetic lives with my name in their mouth all the time,” wrote Ryan. “Soon, all theyll be able to talk about is the greatness that will soon transpire. Limp ďìćƙ móťĥéŕfùçķéŕš.”
“TLDR: I’m back on roids,” commented one.
“Back on roids again?” said a user.
Another responded, “Damn bro whats yo cycle im trynna get like u bro.”
RELATED: UFC Champ Leon Edwards Shares Workout Months Before Trilogy Fight Against Kamaru Usman
Gordon Ryan appears to be inching closer to a full recovery with the latest update. While he will likely miss out on competition this year, fans are excited to see him return once he’s fit and ready.
Published: 14 June, 2023 | 2:19 AM EDT
Flex Wheeler Reveals 1993 Cycle, Says ‘People Didn’t Take Large Amounts Back Then’
Flex Wheeler, a 1990s bodybuilding icon, still represents the sport with class today. In a recent The Menace Podcast with Dennis James, Wheeler laid out his 1993 steroid cycle and discussed whether or not he used diuretics and growth hormones throughout his career.
During a tenure lasting over 20 years, Wheeler traveled the world as a bodybuilder and showcased a remarkable physique with round muscle bellies and superb conditioning. He paved the way for future pros by sharing the stage with greats such as eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman, Chris Cormier, and Kevin Levrone. Before calling it a career, Wheeler won four Arnold Classic titles and placed in the top two at Mr. Olympia three times.
Wheeler would face adversity after his retirement, however. He struggled from a series of health scares and injuries, which often saw him stuck inside a hospital. In 2019, tragedy struck as a medical emergency resulted in the amputation of his leg. While Flex persevered following the surgery, the 57-year-old was candid about his deteriorating health recently.
Last year, Wheeler told Dennis James that his transplanted kidneys from 2003 were starting to show signs of failure. Despite the hardship, Wheeler has remained busy. He recently accepted an Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award in March. Now he’s back to discuss one of his first-ever cycles with Dennis James and company.
Flex Wheeler Talks 1993 Cycle, Diuretics – Says He Didn’t Know He Was Taking “5:1 Anabolics vs Androgens”
As far as contest prep was concerned, Wheeler said he introduced two diuretics: Aldactone and Dyazide on the Wednesday before a respective event.
“Back then I did my same regimen, it was 100 milligrams a day of Dactone, including the 25 milligrams of Diazide that was in there. What is that, 150 milligrams. Just the last three days [before a show] from Wednesday.”
Wheeler said his 1993 cycle consisted of Deca, Winstrol IV and tablet, Anavar, and testosterone propionate.
“Charles never knew more than I did about diuretics and dieting. He never wrote a cycle. He never did any of that for me,” added Wheeler. I have it all written down. Even after I retired, I had these books that I use to always write my whole cycle down. Somebody threatened to break into my house and steal it.
1993, if I can remember correctly, 800 milligrams of deca a week, 600 milligrams of Winstrol, I think 100 milligrams a day of Winstrol tab,” Wheeler said. “I think it was something like 30 milligrams of Anavar. I think back then, my go-to was like testosterone propionate. That was pretty much it.”
“Me and him were like super close, he was super cool, he was always like, ‘Damn Flex, why you always running this candy?’ You’re not running androgens you’re only running anabolics. You’re like 5:1 with anabolics versus androgens. I didn’t understand. I didn’t know.”
Again, Wheeler mentioned he used Lasix and Aldactone but sometimes switched to Aldactazide to dry out his physique.
“What did I take, nothing. It’s just my body was fighting against me. Like I said, man, I won’t say the amounts of diuretics and Lasix I took in 1998 and 1999 but I still couldn’t achieve a good condition,” added Wheeler. “It wasn’t diuretics again. My body and kidneys were failing. I think I took, I can’t even remember the amount.
My go-to, and that was a big mistake back then even when the diet diuretics started changing, I always stayed to what I knew. I always took out Aldactone and then I switched over to Aldactazide. That was the go-to back then. I didn’t know. Remember, back then, diuretics ripped water from you. You would just take a little bit and be shredded.”
Even though Flex Wheeler thought he was taking an excessive amount of GH, he specified that it was less than what bodybuilders use today.
“GH, you know how much GH I was taking? I thought I was crazy, one IU every other day,” said Wheeler. “Listen, back then, people didn’t take large amounts and if they did, they didn’t tell us. I know one pro bodybuilder’s name, he had his own clothing line. That was the first I ever heard of somebody taking 10 IUs a day. If you don’t believe me, call up Paul Dillett.”
Wheeler Talks ‘Reward Meals’ Instead of Cheat Meals & Eating French Fries During Prep
Initially, Wheeler said his diet for bodybuilding in 1993 was mainly eating out at Sizzler or Firehouse. He added that he was able to eat French fries during prep until eventually, his body wouldn’t allow him to ‘get away with it.’
“I’ve talked about worse, right? Yeah 1993, I don’t think I cheated in ’93. You got to understand my diet. Even in 1993, my breakfast was eating at Firehouse, right? Then, my next five meals were eating at Sizzler. Maybe [cheeseburgers in 1997] I was used to eating French fries, so I ate French fries all the way up till I left for the Arnold Classic, French fries, and ketchup.
My point is, now we understand that we need a little more fat. The second thing is I was always in such good shape right, now, right, back then we called it cheating but no, it’s called reward food,” Flex Wheeler said.
“I figured if I could get away with it and it made me look better, then I really didn’t look at it bad. The truth is, the truth is, only until about 1998, I think my was my kidneys were really started failing and I didn’t know what was going on. I couldn’t get away with it anymore. And it wasn’t that, it was the diuretics.”
While battling on stage, many saw Wheeler winning Mr. Olympia as a foregone conclusion. Though, he never was able to match the sheer size of Ronnie Coleman. Since then, Wheeler has made it a point to warn competitors of today not to chase size unnecessarily.
Wheeler was a consummate professional. Despite his competitive nature, he was open to helping others and actually introduced Coleman to his long-time coach Chad Nicholls. To this day, Ronnie has said had it not been for Flex Wheeler, he never would have won his first Mr. Olympia competition.
Bodybuilding cycles have become a very popular subject in the fitness community as of late. Just a few weeks ago, Arnold Schwarzenegger sat down to discuss the two-compound steroid cycle that he used during his Mr. Olympia reign. While some found it surprising, Schwarzenegger shared that he only used deca (Nandrolone decanoate) and testosterone.
Wheeler’s insight surrounding steroids makes for some interesting conversations. Given his expertise, he continues to serve as a valuable resource for upcoming talent in the IFBB Pro League.
RELATED: Flex Wheeler Recaps 2023 Arnold Classic, Says Samson Dauda Exposed Everyone’s Weaknesses
Check out the full video from the Muscle and Fitness YouTube channel below:
Published: 5 June, 2023 | 11:32 AM EDT
Arnold Schwarzenegger Unveils 2-Compound PED Protocol Used During Prime of Career
Bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger has always been honest about using steroids during his career, but he never revealed the exact drugs he took. In a recent Men’s Health interview, that changed as the ‘Austrian Oak’ listed the two-compound cycle he used to win seven Mr. Olympias.
Today, Arnold Schwarzenegger is by far and wide the most popular and visible ambassador of the sport. However, it took hard training, discipline, and consistency to get to where he is. In the 1970s and 1980s, Schwarzenegger was a proven force with a one-of-a-kind physique. His popping biceps and full chest were standout features that helped him climb and claw to the top of the IFBB Pro League.
During Schwarzenegger’s tenure, he was challenged by a handful of icons such as three-time Mr. Olympias Frank Zane and Sergio Oliva. In addition, he competed against Mike Mentzer, who many believe should have defeated Schwarzenegger during his comeback at the controversial 1980 Mr. Olympia competition. Looking back on a decorated career, Schwarzenegger said his toughest battle came against Oliva.
Schwarzenegger managed to claim a total of seven Mr. Olympia titles just shy of the joint record set years later by eight-time winners Lee Haney and Ronnie Coleman. Decades separated from his retirement, fans and bodybuilders alike have wondered about Arnold’s steroid cycles.
‘The Blond Myth’ Lee Priest discussed the topic once and mentioned Dianabol was Schwarzenegger’s favorite compound. Priest explained that times were different back when Schwarzenegger would compete and said athletes didn’t have ‘set rules’ about steroid protocols. Following years of speculation, Schwarzenegger has shared his Olympia-winning cycle, which consisted of Dianabol and testosterone.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Shares Steroid Cycle Used During Career, Says Sport Is Unsafe: ‘People Are Dying’
According to Schwarzenegger, he used 15 milligrams of Dianabol daily and 100 milligrams of testosterone a week.
“One hundred milligrams a week and then three dianabol a day. So that was 15 milligrams,” Arnold Schwarzenegger said describing his steroid use.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a popular treatment athletes use for muscle maintenance, strength, and a variety of other benefits that aid low testosterone. From powerlifting sensation Larry Wheels to Jay Cutler, TRT continues to have a major impact on athletes’ health in 2023.
With a sudden spike in bodybuilding deaths over the past three years, Schwarzenegger stressed that people are listening to ‘charlatans’ and ‘don’t know what the ‘fuc* they’re doing.’ He added that people today are more obsessed with shortcuts than consistent hard work.
“Bodybuilding always, always was considered a safe sport,” he shared. “But now, it’s not. Now people are dying. They’re dying because of overdoses of drugs, and they don’t know what the fuck they’re doing. And they’re listening to charlatans. If I want to go and get medical advice from a legitimate doctor, I go to UCLA, or I go to the Cleveland Clinic.”
“Don’t go there,” he says of steroids. “Yes, we are at a time now where we always look for the easy way to make money, the fast way to get rich, the easy way to be an influencer. Any time you abuse the body, you’re going to regret it later on. I want young people to know that I have seen people getting kidney transplants, and suffering tremendously from it,” Schwarzenegger told Men’s Health.
This isn’t the first time Arnold Schwarzenegger has shined a spotlight on the dangers present in bodybuilding. In 2021, Schwarzenegger said Open bodybuilding is dangerous and that Classic Physique was the future. Given the rate at which athletes were dying, Schwarzenegger was candid, highlighting that bodybuilding had become the most dangerous sport in the world.
Following the 2022 Mr. Olympia show, Schwarzenegger said the Classic Physique Olympia winner should be crowned the Mr. Olympia title instead of the Open class champion. Some fans agree with Schwarzenegger, as four-time Classic Physique Olympia Chris Bumstead‘s popularity continues to swell.
RELATED: Arnold Schwarzenegger Shares 5-Min No-Equipment Workout of the Week: ‘Get Your Blood Flowing’
Schwarzenegger’s physique, a mix of aesthetics, muscularity, and mass, still impresses bodybuilding fans today. He achieved it with a minimal steroid cycle that did not include growth hormone, which illustrates how far ahead he was during his prime.
Published: 24 May, 2023 | 1:58 PM EDT
Hany Rambod Talks Enhanced vs Natural Athletes & Steroid Abuse: ‘You Can’t Run PEDs Forever’
Renowned bodybuilding guru Hany Rambod has cemented his status as one of the greatest coaches in the sport. He boasts a stellar roster of athletes that have won nearly two dozen Olympia titles under his guidance. In a recent episode of The Truth podcast, Rambod shared his thoughts on how natural and enhanced athletes might differ in the off-season and cautioned against the constant use of PEDs performance-enhancing drugs).
Over the last two decades, Hany Rambod has helped shape top talent in multiple divisions such as the Men’s Open, Figure, and Men’s Physique. He guided the likes of Phil Heath and Jay Cutler during their days of professional competition. His unique training methods helped Heath become a dominant champion with seven Mr. Olympia wins in a row and also helped Cutler during his illustrious career.
In addition to the Open contenders, he assisted in Jeremy Buendia’s rise to the top of the Men’s Physique Olympia. He also played a role in helping Nicole Wilkins and Jenny Lynn win Figure Olympia.
Rambod presently serves as a coach for former 212 Olympia champion Derek Lunsford, four-time Classic Physique Olympia winner Chris Bumstead, and reigning Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan. He gave fans a look into his signature FST-7 (fascia stretch training) style legs workout with Choopan in preparation for the 2022 Mr. Olympia last November.
Bumstead is one of the more recent athletes to join Rambod. He teamed up with ‘The Pro Creator’ after splitting with his longtime coach and Men’s Open contender Iain Valliere last season. Considering the incredible track record of Bumstead, many believed Rambod was under a ton of pressure to deliver results. In the end, Bumstead added the fourth title under his belt whereas Choopan won the Mr. Olympia while Lunsford slotted in second in his Open debut.
Following the event, Hany Rambod opened up on working with ‘CBum’ in the final stages of his preparations for about 12 weeks. He also stayed in communication with Valliere leading up to the contest. Over time, Cbum and Rambod built a close bond.
Rambod gave his take on training Choopan and Lunsford at the same time earlier this year. He compared the experience to the time he worked with Heath and Cutler in their heydays. To deal with the problem, he just focused on bringing the best out of both athletes as individuals.
Hany Rambod Talks Natural vs Enhanced in Off-Seasons
In a recent YouTube video, Hany Rambod shared his thoughts on the differences in off-season preparations for a natural and enhanced bodybuilder.
“When it comes to natural and unnatural, I think people try to break it down a little differently. The key is, off-seasons should be just dependent on what you are going through at the time,” said Rambod. “It shouldn’t be because you’re natural or not, it’s just that you gotta listen to your body. If you are an enhanced athlete, you’re going to go through a set time of off-season that usually has to do with either a training cycle or a PED cycle and you can’t just keep running PEDs forever.”
Rambod Torches PED Abusers: “For Those That Are, Shame on You”
Rambod warned those using PEDs and encouraged being conservative with protocols.
“For those that are, shame on you. You’re not doing your body any justice. You’re creating excessive wear and tear to your organs but you’re also not allowing your body to actually benefit from taking gear. That’s why it’s called a cycle. You don’t stay on it perpetually because if you do, you end up actually having reduced amounts of benefit from what you’re taking.”
He stressed the importance of balancing out PEDs and cautioned against their adverse effects.
“It’s an addiction to the look, the feel, the endorphins are heightened because of the hormones. So, know your place and know what these are for; recovery. When you’re doing PEDs and you’re balancing that out, you’re trying to get away with taking the least amount of gear to get the best benefit so that’s why you build sleep, supplements, diet, active therapy all around it. You don’t make your PEDs the base of anything. You just sprinkle it in like seasoning to help with recovery.
“If you do that you’re going to get the best out of your gains and being able to take the longevity of your body so you’re not going to have problems down the road with your kidneys, liver, and everything else that goes along with the destructive effect of PEDs.”
“What you need to do is balance things out and add in for additional recovery and not build it as the base foundation of any program,” he added. “The more that you do the lesser your career is going to last.”
Hany Rambod expressed his excitement for Lunsford’s guest-posing appearance at the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro last week. Lunsford left the fans stunned with his monstrous package on stage and goes into the upcoming 2023 Mr. Olympia as one of the frontrunners. Samson Dauda, who claimed gold at the March’s Arnold Classic is also considered a threat.
RELATED: Hany Rambod on Big Ramy’s 2022 Olympia 5th Place Finish: ‘His Physique Looked ‘Faded/Watery’
Rambod’s latest offering will certainly help educate fitness enthusiasts and competitive bodybuilders on the proper way to incorporate PEDs into their prep.
You can watch the full video below:
Published: 19 May, 2023 | 9:45 AM EDT
Straight Facts: Everything You Need To Know About Fake Steroids On The Black Market
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Jerry Brainum breaks down the straight facts of black market steroids and the odds that the substances will be fake.
In the 1990s, the United States passed the Steroid Control Act – which changed the legal status of steroids and many other PEDs. It became much more strict on how doctors can prescribe steroids. Thus, the athletic use of steroids was altered away from more legitimate sources and turned towards the black market. Much like other illegal designer drugs such as ecstasy, cocaine, and heroine – you simply don’t know exactly what you are getting in black market steroid products. In our latest Straight Facts episode, Jerry Brainum explains in detail the reality of black market steroids – and your odds of getting a fake or dangerous product as a result.
The legality of obtaining steroids and other PEDs changed significantly in the 1990s. Due to steroids becoming a fully controlled substance – a black market emerged to fill the gap for athletes and bodybuilders looking to still obtain these drugs. Much has been talked about how the war on drugs simply drives users to turn to shadowy less legitimate sources. For steroids, this is no different. Now many steroid users turn to the dark web or foreign countries to obtain substances.
The problem with this, as Jerry Brainum points out in this episode, is that there are no regulations for black market substances. This means that you never really know what you are purchasing and putting into your body. Drug deals simply want to make a profit – and will do whatever is possible to reduce costs and earn more overhead. That means diluted substances, cheaper packaging, and cheaper methods of creating these substances.
It should come as no surprise this hurts consumers the most – and not just in their wallet. It can have serious health risks caused by bogus substances being put in a person’s body. Or it can have health risks by requiring a user to simply take more and higher doses of the drug due to their lack of optimal effect.
That’s why Jerry Brainum has dedicated this episode to looking at a series of studies that breaks down the reality of what black market steroids and PEDs actually look like – and what the odds are that a user is getting fake substances. Let’s jump into it.
RELATED: Bodybuilders Are Dying: An Investigation Into Modern Bodybuilding, Health, & PED Use
Nearly 1/3 of black market steroids are fake
Jerry Brainum starts the episode with a few anecdotal stories. While Brainum does not use steroids himself, he is deeply rooted into the bodybuilding industry. He has spoke with many individuals who claim to be using certain steroids – and aren’t getting the kind of results that Brainum knows should be possible from earlier eras of the sport. It’s clear even on an anecdotal level that black market steroids are scamming buyers.
To back this up, Jerry Brianum turns to a recent series of studies that analyzed 5,400 anabolic agents on the black market. Overall, the study showed that cumulatively, 36% of the substances were found to be fake. That’s over 1/3 of all black market steroids.
While this number should be alarming to you – it does alter depending on where you live. For example, the study showed that Brazil was best known for selling fake steroids. Fake or diluted substances were found in 49% of the substances analyzed compared to as low as 15% in other countries.
In addition to this, the type of steroid substance mattered as well. Oil based steroid substances were far more likely to be fake or diluted. With 43-65% of analyzed oil substances being fake vs 29-37% of tablet steroids being found fake.
What does it mean for a steroid substance to be fake? They contain substances other than anabolic materials. For example, Jerry Brainum points out one note from the study that claimed certain so-called steroids contained anti-malarial substances instead.
RELATED: The Anabolic Doc Reaction To VICE Video: How Steroids Became More Popular Than Heroin
Other concerns with black market steroids
Jerry Brainum also discusses other findings made by the studies. Particularly that methods of cutting costs lead to sub-optimal steroid substances on the black market. Business would cut back on packaging, storage conditions, and purposefully dilute the substances in order to make more money out of less substance.
All of these factors can lead to a steroid becoming sub-optimal. Even if the steroid is not fake – it will be less powerful than its dose purports to contain. This has many dangers – one being that an individual may believe they can handle a certain dose of the diluted drug. When they then get hands on perhaps a non-diluted version of the substance – they will unknowingly take more – wreaking havoc on the body and possibly leading to long term serious health risks.
Wrap Up
Jerry Brainum is aware that drug and PED use will not disappear from bodybuilding or any other sport. With the current state of laws in the United States regarding steroids – it’s unavoidable that individuals will turn to the black market. But Brainum hopes that this information can help educate those who are thinking about taking the risk.
If a bodybuilder wants to take that risk – that’s their freedom. But individuals unknowingly taking a risk, believing the black market substances are legitimate, is a tragedy. That’s why Brainum hopes people watch and absorb this episode.
You can watch Jerry Brainum’s full breakdown in our latest episode of Straight Facts. Make sure to watch new episodes every Wednesday only on the Generation Iron Fitness Network. Or where ever podcasts are downloaded.
The Anabolic Doc Reaction To VICE Video: How Steroids Became More Popular Than Heroin
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Dr. Thomas O’Connor, aka the Anabolic Doc, reacts to Vice News’ recent video: How Steroids Became More Popular Than Heroin.
When people think about steroid or PED use, it’s often under the umbrella of professional sports. Bodybuilders, football players, even cyclists have all been caught using banned steroid substances in the past. But the truth of the matter is that steroids have grown to become an “everyman” drug. It’s not just athletes. It’s regular folk who use them as well. This was broken down in detail with the release of Vice News’ video – ‘How Steroids Became More Popular Than Heroin.’ But how accurate are the claims made in this video? In our latest GI Exclusive, the Anabolic Doc watches and reacts with his knowledge of all things steroids.
In May 2022, Vice News released a new episode in their series News On Drugs. This particular episode focused on steroid use and how it has become a sort of epidemic across the mass population. Steroids and PEDs are a major topic of discussion in the bodybuilding world. Often times, mainstream media gloss over or misconstrue facts that niche industries – such as bodybuilding – understand in more detail because of how directly steroid use affects the industry.
That’s why there was no better expert than Dr. Thomas O’Connor, aka the Anabolic Doc, to watch and react to this recent video. The Vice video has made its rounds and gone somewhat viral with hundreds of thousands of views. What can we learn from this video and what is misunderstood? The Anabolic Doc has often bridged the gap between strength sports and the larger medical world when it comes to steroids. So his expertise in this is perfect for a reaction video. Let’s jump into it.
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ABOVE: The Vice News video ‘How Steroids Became More Popular Than Heroin’ that the Anabolic Doc watched and reacted to.
The War On Drugs (Including Steroids)
The first segment of the video discusses the war on drugs and how the current action against steroids in the US is to keep it criminalized and prosecute anyone who buys or sells them not prescribed by a doctor. Much like the larger war on drugs – the Anabolic Doc finds this to be a failed war. Even worse, it prevents effective education and change to help improve our overall health. Long term steroid users are often quietly suffering – even if the substance abuse doesn’t lead to a fatality.
The Anabolic Doc agrees with the core notion of the video. Steroids are no longer just a pro athlete’s drug. It’s common place among regular folk. The doctor estimates that 15-20 million people use steroids in the US alone. This is far above the data stated in the Vice News video – which was sourced from data gathered in 2010.
With that in mind, all effort must be made to prevent steroid use as being supremely illegal and taboo. This current tactic simply makes users hide their drug use, not seek help when they need it, and get their information from flawed or nefarious sources.
The Vice News video also states that a big problem is steroids being lumped in with other “hard drugs” such as heroin. This is a mistake. It makes steroid users feel labeled as “heavy drug users” – which makes them feel like they need to keep it a secret and avoid medical guidance.
The Anabolic Doc believes that decriminalizing steroids is a big first step to helping make for a healthier society. The second step is convincing the larger medical culture that steroids should be treated differently than heroin. More education must be put into who steroid users are – so that the medical community as a whole can better treat users and prevent future abuse.
Bottom line: the overall culture on how steroids and steroid users are seen needs to change. Yes, steroids are harmful to our overall culture and health – but it shouldn’t be demonized. This won’t lead to change. We can reduce abuse through openness and education.
Debunking Steroid Stereotypes
There is a brief segment of the Vice News video that starts discussing concepts such as roid rage, sharing needles, and “penis shrinking.” This part is a bit of a mixed bag, with the professional correcting the interviewer on some misconceptions but also getting some facts wrong herself.
The Anabolic Doc points out that the expert being interviewed is not a medical professional – but instead a criminologist. So he understands why some of this misconceptions might have slipped through. This is why the doctor wanted to spend some time reacting to the video to straighten some stereotypes out.
The Anabolic Doc debunks the concept of ‘roid rage – stating, “If you’re an asshole then you’ll be an asshole on steroids.” He further compares it to the backwards way men may speak about a woman’s period.
Most people in today’s society know it is rude to use a period to invalidate a woman’s mood. This is true for steroid use and the stereotype of ‘roid rage. Yes, steroids vastly change your hormones, just like a period. And yes, it can lead to mood swings. But it’s not intrinsically related to rage. It affects every individual differently.
The Anabolic Doc also debunks the notion that steroid users line up and share needles at gyms. This may have been true decades ago when health information was less available. But in today’s society, most steroid users know how to be safe with clean needles and injections. This ties into lumping steroid users into the larger hard drug narrative. It creates a “demonized” vision of drug use where strung out users are sharing dirty needles and living in squalor. It’s just not true. There’s no data to support it.
Wrap up
Ultimately, the Vice News video brings attention to a core fact about steroids that many people aren’t aware of – that regular folk use these substances very frequently. It’s not longer an athlete drug. The Anabolic Doc commends the video for detailing this fact – and finds it encouraging that it’s catching waves. Changing the public perception of steroid usage is a big step towards changing how it’s handled.
However, the Anabolic Doc finds it important to fact check some of the misconceptions presented in the video. While it does an overall good job, much like science, these details need to be peer reviewed for viewers to be best informed.
You can watch Dr. Thomas O’Connor’s full reaction to the Vice News video in our latest GI Exclusive above.