Tag: shawn rhoden
Kali Muscle: Bodybuilders Are ‘So Caught Up’ In Drugs, They Don’t Think About the late Cedric McMillan and Shawn Rhoden
Online fitness sensation Chuck “Kali Muscle” Kirkendall continues to warn against the dangers of professional bodybuilding. During a recent video, Kali shared that bodybuilders are too fixated on drugs and appeasing judges rather than preserving their health for the long term. In 2021, the sport of bodybuilding saw more athletes than usual pass away. The 2018 Mr. Olympia winner Shawn Rhoden died from suspected heart problems as well as George Peterson, whose body was found in his hotel room two days before performing at last year’s Olympia. The concerning trend from last year appeared to bleed into 2022. A slew of influential figures in the sport lost their lives over the past several months like former Arnold Classic winner Cedric McMillan, 46-year-old judge Jerry Ward, and German IFBB Pro Andreas Frey. Kali also suffered a near-death experience last November after having a heart attack. Ever since the scary ordeal, he’s been on a mission to promote health awareness in bodybuilding. In light of the growing number of deaths, Kali Muscle has been far more vocal about steroids and other dangers present in the sport. At first, his message was simple: ‘if you’re a bodybuilder, then you’re risking your life.’ Though, as time went on, his tone became more serious. He reiterated in August that bodybuilders have now become test dummies who continually risk their lives. In one of his latest videos, Kali Muscle gave an honest take on why he chose not to pursue a pro career. Kali Muscle says He’d Be Dead if He Pursued Pro Bodybuilding CareerThe popular fitness personality specified that he wouldn’t be here today if he pursued a pro career in bodybuilding.“I’m glad I didn’t go Pro bro, I’d been dead. Just being honest. I’m glad I had enough sense when I saw the list of what [drugs] to take, then I was like, ‘nah, I’m cool.’ I knew at that point, there’s just something in your spirit that tells you. You know what I mean.” Kali added that bodybuilders who are ‘caught up’ in drugs, ‘don’t hear’ or heed the warnings from himself, Shawn Rhoden, and Cedric McMillan.“If you’re caught up in it, you’re caught up in it. You don’t hear Kali Muscle, Shawn Rhoden, Cedric [McMillan], like ‘oh that ain’t going to happen to me.’ I wasn’t like that. I was really conscious of injuries and having health problems. That’s why I would get off [drugs]. Like most people, they wouldn’t get off. I would get off three months out of the year,” Kali Muscle shared. In addition to the aforementioned concerns, Kali Muscle shared that life as a bodybuilder is ‘nonstop’ and the sacrifices aren’t worth the financial rewards. “I didn’t go Pro as a bodybuilder. I’m like, ‘it’s nonstop.’ A judge is like, ‘oh I want your legs 40 inches,’ and those motherfuc**rs are doing what they got to do to get it. I ain’t never been no fuc**ng sheep or pawn, letting another fat fu** man as judge telling me how I’m supposed to get my body for hardly no money.” “Bro, $400,000! Bro, he [Mr. Olympia winners] had to spend $6 million to get $400,000,” Kali Muscle said. “None of these guys got their own supplement companies or nothing. Jay [Cutler] and Ronnie [Coleman] are the only ones.” Cedric McMillan at Arnold ClassicKali isn’t the only prominent voice in the fitness community warning against bodybuilding drugs. Earlier this week, former 1983 Mr. Olympia Samir Bannout discussed bodybuilding legend Ronnie Coleman’s 2001 dehydration health scare. Bannout added that even for experienced coaches, dialing in dehydration a week before a bodybuilding contest can be deadly. The last time fans heard from Kali he was at the hospital for over two days undergoing a series of health screenings. During the visit, he underlined that it’s not just steroids killing bodybuilders but excessive amounts of food too. He said he ‘felt sorry’ for popular names in the sport like 2021 Arnold Classic champion Nick Walker and rising IFBB Pro Andrew Jacked.Kali Muscle is urging athletes to prioritize their health before it’s too late. He hopes his recent dialogue will help promote safer bodybuilding practices moving forward. Watch the full video below:RELATED: Kali Muscle and Big Boy Gets In Altercation After Getting Kicked Out Of Gold’s Venice (VIDEO)
Stanimal Opens Up About Shawn Rhoden’s Death
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A training partner, roommate, and close friend, Stanimal De Longeaux speaks on Shawn Rhoden’s passing.
The bodybuilding world went into complete shock after news of Shawn Rhoden’s tragic death made headlines. Rhoden was a pro bodybuilding legend, Mr. Olympia champion, and a figure followed by controversy up to his passing. As of the time of this writing, there has been no medical announcement regarding the cause of his death – leaving bodybuilding fans to speculate based on comments made by those close to him. We had the opportunity to reconnect with Stanimal De Longeaux – a longtime close friend, training partner, and even roommate to Rhoden. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Stanimal opens up completely about Shawn Rhoden’s death and the events leading up to his tragic passing.
For quite some time, Stanimal De Longeaux has been a bodybuilder often seen with Shawn Rhoden. They were often seen together in training video updates on social media – as well as our digital series All Eyes On Olympia starring Stanimal’s pro bodybuilding prep. He also appeared in training sessions in the feature film Flexatron: Becoming Shawn Rhoden – a documentary chronicling Rhoden’s rise to winning the Mr. Olympia in 2018. But beyond just caught on film – anyone who knew either Shawn Rhoden or Stanimal understood that they held a close friendship. Before his much-too-soon passing, they were even roommates.
So of course it goes without saying that the shocking death of Shawn Rhoden hit Stanimal very hard. He not only lost a legend in the sport like all of us in the industry. And he not only lost a training partner. Stanimal lost a close friend. While challenging to reflect on, Stanimal was open to speaking about Rhoden and his passing during our most recent video interview.
Stanimal seems to make it clear that while his death was shocking for even those closest to him – in retrospect there were warning signs cropping up over the past two years. Most notably, Stanimal reveals that Rhoden likely suffered a heart attack in 2020 as well. First a smaller “silent heart attack that left him feeling weak and sick – only to give way to a more severe heart attack a few weeks later. He was hospitalized and recovered. After this moment, he became much more focused on monitoring his health.
Sadly, a year later Shawn Rhoden would pass away. While it was not officially or medically announced that he died from a heart attack – this is the most commonly held speculation. Given his past struggles with heart attacks in 2020, this would seem likely. Though Stanimal himself is not 100% sure – as to his knowledge an autopsy was not conducted.
While pure speculation, Stanimal ultimately believes that a variety of factors came together to create a sort of “perfect storm” that led to Rhoden’s passing.
“Honestly, it’s only speculation but it seems like it was just a perfect storm,” Stanimal states in our interview. He continues:
“He was doing a lot, he had like some pre-existing condition. He was traveling. He was tired. Stress. It was late at night, that’s usually when a heart attack happens. And then he got some type of sickness that I think I got after him. And that was pretty hard even for me who was healthy so I can’t even imagine… It was some type of flu but not COVID because he got tested and he was negative. I got tested and was negative.”
Stanimal went on to speak in even more detail about the stress factors that were weighing on Shawn Rhoden over the past two years:
“I mean he was stressed. It was a lot of things to be honest. Of course his case which kept dragging because of Covid. He was supposed to have another hearing in September and that got postponed because they didn’t have enough staff. I mean, he also broke up with his wife. That was stressful… he was somebody who was never really outspoken about his own issues, his own struggles. That’s why I think it was really bad because we talked a lot about all of this stuff his last few months… just the fact that he was speaking about this all so much just shows, I think to me, how much this was on his mind. It was definitely a lot of stress.”
Stanimal goes into great detail not only discussing the specifics of the year leading up to his death – but also celebrating his life. It’s a conversation that might provide some answers to fans in the sport. But more than that it’s a personal account and touching tribute to an athlete who left us far too soon.
It was an emotional conversation and one we hope brings more light to the man behind the muscle and the tragedy of his passing. You can watch Stanimal speak openly about Shawn Rhoden’s passing in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above.
Straight Facts: Are Bodybuilders Really Dying More Than The Average Person?
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Jerry Brainum returns to break down the statistics of bodybuilder deaths in recent years. Do the initial stats showcase a worrying trend?
STRAIGHT FACTS WITH JERRY BRAINUM – is an in depth exploration of the more complicated elements behind bodybuilding training, nutrition, and supplements. Hosted by legendary and longtime industry expert, Jerry Brainum, Straight Facts answers user questions so no one is left in the dark.
Jerry Brainum has long been an extremely knowledgable man working in the bodybuilding industry. His research has been published in bodybuilding publications for decades – and he has held positions of editor-in-chief for such outlets as Muscle And Fitness and Flex Magazine.
Jerry also ran a digital series, Straight Facts, on our network way back in 2016. Now he’s back with more episodes and, in addition, available in podcast! This week, Jerry Brainum breaks down the statistics behind the tragic trend of too-soon bodybuilding deaths that have hit the sport over the past year. Is there a growing health concern in bodybuilding? Or was 2021 simply one full of tragic bad luck? Let’s break it down.
2021 was an extremely tragic year in bodybuilding. There was a large number of bodybuilding deaths that all seemed to come much too soon. Most notable was the passing of Olympia champion Shawn Rhoden at 46 years old and George Peterson dying just days before being set to compete at the Mr. Olympia. He was 37 years old.
There were, sadly, far many more deaths that we would rather not fully recount here. But the string of lost lives in bodybuilding led to many fans and high profile members of the industry to speak out about the state of health in bodybuilding. While health of an organization in sports should always be a major priority – what remains to be seen is if there really is a connection between these recent deaths and something happening directly in bodybuilding.
Jerry Brainum sets to bring some more clarity to the situation. Using some research of the (admittedly limited) data available, Jerry breaks down the actual statistics behind bodybuilding deaths in comparison to the average person in the world at large. He also tries to use the cause of death, where revealed, to speculate what was likely the cause and if it can be drawn to bodybuilding and PED use.
Jerry Brainum Compares Bodybuilding Mortality Rates To The Average Male Mortality Rate
One of the most interesting pieces of information Jerry Brainum reveals – according to one study. Pro bodybuilders actually have a lower mortality rate than the average person by about one percent. On paper, this would seem to indicate that pro bodybuilders actually have a higher chance to live longer than the average man. While this was admittedly one study in a very niche sport – the initial findings seem to indicate that there is not a major health crisis rocking the sport. But that also doesn’t mean that drugs are not a factor to mortality for bodybuilders. Far from it.
In the video, Jerry Brainum breaks down the data and his speculations in great detail. But his ultimate conclusion is that bodybuilders actually have a healthier lifestyle due to their diet, nutrition, and focus on exercise. That being said, those benefits are largely cut short by abuse of PEDs such as steroids, diuretics, and insulin. This ultimately leads, statistically, to an evening out. Which is why bodybuilders might have a slightly lower mortality rate than the average person – but not by much.
Jerry Brainum also draws another conclusion. He believes that modern coaches and trainers are the cause for many of these premature deaths. While he is basing his opinion based on anacdotale evidence. He’s heard that most coaches provide drug protocols for their athletes. The problem with this is that these coaches are not doctors. Just because a drug protocol has worked for one athlete does not mean it will work for another.
Without constant medical monitoring, these very powerful drugs can lead to long term health risks. Some of those risks can lead to an earlier grave. This is why Jerry Brainum urges any competing bodybuilders to have their bloodwork done every four weeks and ensure that as much detailed information can be analyzed as possible. Preventative actions are most important to extend life – and when athletes have a higher chance of using dangerous drugs, this becomes even more necessary.
Have questions you want Jerry Brainum to answer? Send them on over to [email protected] for your chance to have Jerry go into detail about anything in the fitness world that needs clarification.
And if you want even more detailed information every month, be sure to check out Jerry’s very own monthly newsletter – Applied Metabolics. Giving you over 40 pages of expert information in all things bodybuilding.
You can watch the full episode of Straight Facts above and make sure to stick around every Wednesday for new episodes!
Shawn Rhoden Upper Body Workout For Insane Gains
Work your upper body for insane growth with this Shawn Rhoden workout.
Shawn Rhoden was a professional bodybuilder who after winning Mr. Olympia in 2018, became the oldest to ever do so. But this true professional and dedicated athlete passed away from a heart attack at the age of 46 in 2021. While he may no longer be us, his hard work, dedication, and love for bodybuilding can be passed through his workouts, and those moments that made him so great.
When we look online, we see such nonsense. So many influencers and those follower-seeking personalities claim to have the secret to working out and getting shredded. But for real gains, it is much smarter for those of us serious about it to look to those professional athletes who have done this before and know what they are talking about. They work with knowledgeable and talented coaches to formulate quality workout plans so they can win the biggest of events. So, let’s have our gains reflect this as well.
Shawn is someone we can all learn from, for being the oldest to ever win Mr. Olympia does not come easily. Years and years of grinding in the gym and working on himself both physically and mentally led him to that podium spot and his work ethic is unparalleled.
Full Name: Shawn Rhoden
Weight
Height
Date Of Birth
245-255 lbs.
5’10’’
04/02/1975
Profession
Era
Nationality
Bodybuilder
2010
Jamaican, American
As said before, the workouts and overall messages that Shawn Rhoden wanted to leave behind are here for us, to inspire us, and to use him as a prime example of what a true professional and dedicated athlete looks like. This upper body workout will help you see growth so you can look as good as Shawn himself.
About Shawn Rhoden
Shawn Rhoden was born in Jamaica before coming to the United States at the age of 15. Adapting to a new country was challenging, but he was always active. Introduced to bodybuilding in his late teens, he balanced that and his love for soccer before putting soccer aside to focus on bodybuilding full-time.
Well into his career, some unfortunate injuries occurred and he was forced into rehab and couldn’t train in the sport he loved so much. But the worst news was yet to come. His biggest fan and number one supporter, his father, passed away in that same year. Heading down a spiral, Shawn knew what he needed to do.
As the dedicated and amazing athlete he is, he returned to the stage and found himself winning competitions again. He placed 2nd at the 2016 Mr. Olympia contest and was determined to reach that top podium spot. Then, in 2018, at the age of 43, he did just that. Winning Mr. Olympia, Shawn became the oldest to ever do so.
In 2021, Shawn suffered a heart attack and passed away as a result. Those close to him share their love, support, and pride for what Shawn accomplished in his life that ended too soon. But his message and love for bodybuilding can stay with us all as we remember this dedicated, accomplished, and true professional who truly loved what he did.
Shawn Rhoden Training Routine
This workout from Shawn will really give your chest, back, shoulder, and arms a great workout. Working with a variety of exercises and trying to target certain groups is exactly what you need to succeed when looking to put on effective mass. Your chest will feel a pump, your back may burn, those shoulders will want to stay down, and arms may be cooked, but the results of this workout will yield great results as you seek a physique like Shawn himself.
Chest
Exercises
Sets
Reps
Cable Chest Fly
3
10
Bench Press
3
10
Incline Bench Press
3
10
Incline DB Press
3
12
Floor Press
3
12
DB Chest Fly
3
10
Push Press
3
10
Back & Shoulders
Exercises
Sets
Reps
Side Raise
3
12
Machine Shoulder Press
3
10
Lat Pulldown
3
10
Seated Cable Row
3
10
One Arm Front Raise
3
12
Biceps & Triceps
Exercises
Sets
Reps
Preacher Curls
3
10
Barbell Curls
3
10
Triceps Pushdowns
3
12
Skullcrushers
3
12
Seated DB Curls
3
10
Best Supplements To See Amazing Gains
Along with a quality training routine, having the right supplements and nutritional plan can greatly affect all areas of your gains. By working with only top tier and premium supplements, you know exactly what is going in your body and you can better work to tackle those deficiencies to avoid negative effects. Plus, your gains will most certainly get a nice boost.
Starting with the three most popular supplements, most athletes love working with pre-workouts, intra-workout BCAAs, and protein powders. Pre-workouts are preferred by those who want a nice boost of energy right off the bat while also aiding in muscle pumps and better athletic performance for those workout needs. What you will find from BCAAs are sustained energy and the ability to burst through any fatigue, thus giving you a more effective workout overall. And of course, protein powders are essential for optimizing growth and recovery and working towards getting the right amount of protein into your body.
Other key supplements to try and consider are creatine, mass gainers, and casein protein. These are effective at building strength and size and giving you everything you need to see great growth. For optimizing health and wellness, multivitamins, super greens, and omega-3’s are the way to go.
Wrap Up
This workout from Shawn Rhoden will work to build that desired strength and size while adding to your shredded physique. Shawn was a dedicated and true professional who passed away too soon. But his legacy lives on and we can take what made him successful and use it to copy his example of what a real athlete is. Give this workout a try and work to give yourself a shredded and massive physique like Shawn Rhoden himself.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Shawn Rhoden Instagram
Jay Cutler Comments On Recent Deaths: “People Are Just Running Scared”
Jay Cutler comments on the passing of modern bodybuilding veterans.
Jay Cutler recently commented on the string of deaths plaguing modern bodybuilding. In recent months former Mr. Olympia Shawn Rhoden, George Peterson, and John Meadows all lost their lives. The passing of these veteran bodybuilders sent shockwaves through the industry.
The modern era of bodybuilding has become an extremely controversial time for the sport. While bodybuilding has been more accepted into the mainstream, the reality is that the state of the sport has never been more precarious. Recent bodybuilding deaths have raised questions as to how much is too much. Modern bodybuilding standouts George Peterson, John Meadows, and now 2018 Mr. Olympia Shawn Rhoden have all recently lost their lives. It has sparked a very important conversation in the bodybuilding world.
John Meadows, Shawn Rhoden, and George Peterson all passed away untimely.
Dark Times
Four-time Olympia champion Jay Cutler had a lot to say on the subject. Competing at the highest levels of the game, Cutler has the kind of valuable experience that any bodybuilding enthusiast can find insightful. Cutler recently touched on the string of bodybuilding deaths that have hit the industry hard.
In his podcast, Jay Cutler expressed that many people are having concerns about the state of modern bodybuilding.
“I think people are just running scared at this point, think ‘Oh my gosh, bodybuilding is so dangerous,’” said Cutler. “I think anything in life is, nutrition and whatever else, and we obviously push ourselves. I think our biggest fear now is, when you’re 290, 5-foot-9 or 10, you’re considered obese. So it puts a lot of strain on the heart. Although I felt pretty good at 290, I knew I couldn’t maintain that for a long time, hence I walked away at 40 years old.”
Could Age Be The Cause?
It appears that Jay Cutler is inferring that age could be a factor in the recent deaths of veteran bodybuilders. Cutler continued bringing up examples of past bodybuilding champions and when they walked away from the sport.
“I look back, when I first started bodybuilding, and I watched Lee Haney retire at 31, Dorian Yates retired at like 37, Lee Labrada stepped away, Shawn Ray stepped away early in their careers, their early thirties or whatever.
“I just feel that this has transitioned to an older person’s game, which I don’t know if that’s the best thing for your health, to really be pushing yourself in your forties, to get in shape, up and down like a yo-yo, being depleted and being dehydrated to that extent…
“The truth is, when you start pushing limitations of your physique, it doesn’t matter what the age is, the amount of foods we eat is astronomical.”
To hear everything Jay Cutler had to say click here to see the full podcast.
Age could very well be a factor in the deaths of Shawn Rhoden, John Meadows, and George Peterson. Some may say that the true culprit is the amount of gear that modern bodybuilders take. Either way there’s clearly an issue, one that can’t be ignored.
Do you agree with Jay Cutler and his assessment of the recent bodybuilding deaths?
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
News and Editorial Writer at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
Chris Lewis Has Set Up GoFundMe Page For Daughter Of Shawn Rhoden
Chris Lewis recently shared a GoFundMe page set up for the daughter of Shawn Rhoden.
The death of Shawn Rhoden hit the world of bodybuilding on November 6. Many close to the sport have sent condolences via social media over the last week remembering and celebrating the life of Rhoden.
As a former Mr. Olympia champion, Rhoden made an impact in bodybuilding and remained an influential voice. Now, the bodybuilding community wants to make sure that his family is taken care of moving forward.
Chris Lewis, a legendary bodybuilding trainer, has set up a GoFundMe page to support Rhoden’s daughter — Cora Capri Rhoden. Lewis shared a post to his Instagram page and currently has the link in his bio.
“This fund is set up to support the daughter of Shawn Rhoden. I, like many of you were devastated to hear the news of 2018 Mr. Olympia’s passing on November 6, 2021. As a bodybuilding community I know we are shocked, heartbroken and struggling to make sense of it all.
Shawn has left behind a six year old daughter, Cora Capri Rhoden. Shawn was an amazing father and would do anything for Cora.
We want to support Cora for everything that she may need in her future years. We have organized this Go Fund Me on behalf of family, friends, and the bodybuilding community. Your donation will help with everything from day-to-day necessities, to investing in a college fund.
Thank you for your continued love and support.
And to Shawn, this is the best way I could think of to honor you – we will not forget you.”
Lewis begins his message by discussing the impact that Shawn Rhoden had on the bodybuilding community. He continues by explaining Rhoden’s love for his six-year old daughter and how these donations will do directly to his family.
“I have organized a GoFundMe for Shawn’s daughter Cora. Please share. Link in bio.”
The account was set up on Sunday and has a goal of $100,000. In less than a day, there has already been over $9,000 donated to the page and that number is going to rise quickly.
The overall impact that the death of Rhoden has had on the bodybuilding world has been clear over the last week. Many have made call-to-actions in hopes of improving the safety of bodybuilding going forward. This is a chance to donate and make sure that Cora is taken care of and can accomplish great things.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Talking Huge With Craig Golias | EP 19: Remembering Shawn Rhoden
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Craig Golias and Vlad Yudin spend the entire episode this week reflecting on Shawn Rhoden’s life and his tragic passing.
Welcome to another episode of Talking Huge – a weekly digital series in which Craig Golias talks in-depth with Vlad Yudin on the latest trending topics in bodybuilding. Raw, honest, and uncut – Craig Golias shares his opinions on all things bodybuilding. In this episode, Craig Golias reacts to the passing of former Mr. Olympia Shawn Rhoden, reflects on his legacy, and speculates if the bodybuilding industry could have done more for Rhoden.
2021 has been a very tragic year for the bodybuilding industry. There have been numerous reports of too-soon deaths ranging from active competitors and retired athletes – most under the age of 60. Sadly some far younger. Most recently, Shawn Rhoden passed away at 46 years old. It was gut punch in the sport after an already very challenging year.
This week, we dedicated our entire episode of Talking Huge to the memory of Shawn Rhoden. We discuss the reporting of his passing, look back on his illustrious career and eventual Mr. Olympia victory, and talk about the allegations that came shortly afterwards. Many in the bodybuilding community have been quick to point fingers at AMI and the IFBB/NPC for abandoning Rhoden. Some even believe that Rhoden died of a “broken heart.” Craig Golias is one such bodybuilder.
Craig Golias believes that the stress of the allegations alongside losing his entire career and nearly all sponsorships contributed to so much stress that Shawn Rhoden suffered a heart attack and died. While it’s easy to look back in hindsight and wonder “what if” – what is most important is respecting the legacy of the man who we have lost. While Craig is certainly frustrated – he is also respectful and somber in a way we rarely see Craig on Talking Huge.
Is Craig Golias Concerned For His Personal Health?
Craig Golias also discusses how Shawn Rhoden’s passing alongside many other recent deaths might be changing his perspective. Craig Golias is a very large bodybuilder, even by bodybuilding standards. That’s been his entire brand. So is he worried for his health and possible future heart complications?
The answer, somewhat surprisingly, is yes. Craig Golias states that he is starting to slow down for the time being due to thinking harder about his health. He’s thinking – what kind of repercussions might he face for his current lifestyle? Since Craig is currently suffering from nerve damage anyways, he figures now is the right time to overall reconsider his tactics.
Will Shawn Rhoden’s Death Change The Bodybuilding Industry?
Towards the end of our conversation, Vlad Yudin asks Craig Golias if he thinks Rhoden’s death alongside George Peterson’s will change the industry moving forward. Craig plainly and somewhat nihilistically says no. He thinks nothing will change. Instead, small actions will be taken for publicity – but no real meaningful change will occur.
Craig Golias believes that bodybuilders will always do whatever it takes to be the best and biggest in the world. And he doesn’t believe the pro leagues will start doing mandatory drug testing before every major competition. Unless something that drastic happens – nothing will deep change about the sport or the community.
Wrap Up
To wrap it all up, we asked Craig Golias how he believes Shawn Rhoden will be remembered. Craig thinks he will be remembered first and foremost as a Mr. Olympia champion. And second, he will be remembered as a gentle giant. A man who hardly anyone can say a bad word about and was a kind father, friend, and man – more than just a bodybuilder.
You can check out the full conversation in the latest episode of Talking Huge above. Make sure to check out Talking Huge every week on Friday – only on the Generation Iron Fitness Network!
Nick Walker Pays Tribute to the Late Shawn Rhoden
Nick Walkers pays tribute to Shawn Rhoden.
During his recent guest posing, Nick Walker took the time to pay tribute to the late Shawn Rhoden who passed away this past weekend. The up and coming bodybuilder gave a heartfelt speech paying respects to the Rhoden who had a massive influence on not only Walker but many other prospective bodybuilders.
The bodybuilding world is still reeling from the passing of 2018 Mr. Olympia Shawn Rhoden. His death was not only sudden but a reminder that even those we hold as examples of strength and health can still pass away suddenly. The cause of Rhoden’s death was declared to be from a heart attack. A truly sad and shocking turn of events.
One of the most complete bodybuilders in the modern era, Shawn Rhoden brought a classic touch to the stage. His physique was balanced, muscular, and absolutely shredded. He was the epitome of a well put together bodybuilder with an aesthetic frame. His victory at the 2018 Olympia sparked a major shift in the industry as he was able to overcome the nigh unbeatable Phil Heath, effectively ending his Olympia reign.
Shawn Rhodes was a true inspiration to those aspiring to step on stage. While he was by no means a mass monster, Rhoden was able to contend with the best of the best with his own brand of modern bodybuilding. Those fans who appreciated the classic silhouette of Golden Era bodybuilding appreciated Shawn Rhoden.
Many figures in the bodybuilding world were also influenced by Shawn Rhoden. One such competitor is 2021 Arnold Classic champion Nick Walker. On the rise in the Open Bodybuilding division, Walker continues to impress as he gains more and more momentum.
Nick Walker most recently performed a guest posing routine to showcase his current physique.
Tribute to a Legend
But Nick Walker didn’t only pose at the show. The up and comer took time to give praise and tribute the fallen Shawn Rhoden who played an influence on his own rise through the ranks.
R.I.P let’s all hug all loved ones a little extra not just today but everyday.
Powerful words from Nick Walker indeed. The Generation Iron team again extends condolences to the family and friends of Shawn Rhoden.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
News and Editorial Writer at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
Flex Lewis Pays Respects To Shawn Rhoden And States: “Something Needs To Be Done”
Flex Lewis pays tribute to Shawn Rhoden after his passing and believes “this life could have been saved.”
The bodybuilding community was shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of former Mr. Olympia Shawn Rhoden. While there has been no official announcement for the cause of his death – original sources speculated it was caused by a heart attack. Many bodybuilding fans, athletes, and coaches have paid their respects to the late pro bodybuilder. Including Men’s 212 legend Flex Lewis – who took to Instagram to not only pay tribute but think aloud on the recent deaths that have struck bodybuilding.
Flex Lewis made a lengthy post on Instagram – and it’s clear he took time to thoughtfully explore his thoughts not only on Shawn Rhoden’s passing but the many too-soon deaths in bodybuilding over the past year.
In the post, Lewis states that he took several hours to write the post and rewrote it many times before making it public:
“This has taken several hours to write/ rewrite deleted. Why am I writing another obituary for another close friend ? We only yesterday spoke about plans to meet up today, after 3wks on the road I was looking forward to catching up with my friend. I took the call about Shawns passing at 2am and not slept since. All day I have tried to make head n tails of it, but I started to think of some the wonderful memories I had with Shawn, we traveled the world competing together, working expos, shows, guest posings and I will hold on to them memories dearly. My heart goes out to his daughter who is around the same age as Adiena I have posted photos of our last win together were we got to celebrate with our Olympia trophies and our biggest trophies our daughters.”
Flex Lewis Pays Tribute to A Man, A Friend, And An Athlete
Flex Lewis was not simply a fellow athlete – but a friend to Shawn Rhoden and was set to actually meet up with Rhoden this very day (as of this writing). It’s clear that first and foremost Lewis wanted to pay respects to a man, a friend, and a legendary athlete.
And it seems Flex Lewis felt the need to make that specifically clear due to a swarm of online comments speculating on the cause of his death, connecting it with other deaths, and turning the passing of his life into some sort of anti-bodybuilding message. He goes on to express his frustration with some of the communities reaction to Rhoden’s passing:
“As the night turned to morning I started to see posts and read some of the most unbelievable things today, just like I did when Dallas passed away. I am deactivating comments because quite honestly I don’t wanna read opinions on how you thought he died, and what he should or shouldn’t done. Celebrate a man, a Mr Olympia champion whom you have cheered for, met at a expos taken photos with.”
A Call For Change
Despite this frustration, Flex Lewis does believe that something needs to change in the sport. While he doesn’t want Shawn Rhoden’s death to only represent talking points for health issues in bodybuilding – he does acknowledge that to completely ignore the past year’s growing list of young deaths cannot be an option.
Flex Lewis closes out his statement claiming that “something needs to be done for the future” of bodybuilding:
“I do agree that something needs to be done for the future, too many athletes are not having regular health checks, I feel lives can be saved if something is implemented or you can’t compete.We lost a good man today, a friend, a father and a champion, I say this with great sadness but I feel this life could of been saved.”
Most notable is the final sentence of Flex Lewis’ statement. He seems to believe that Shawn Rhoden’s death was preventable. We won’t know that for sure until more information comes out on the cause of his death. Regardless, calling for better health measures in any sport does not sully the lives already lost – nor does it matter if these deaths are strictly connected to bodybuilding. Better health measures is always a good thing. If this is what helps spark improvements then so be it.
Lewis makes this confidently clear in his post. He wants to mourn the man first, and hope for a healthier future second. Both can be respected equally.
It’s clear that Shawn Rhoden’s passing is still fresh in the community’s minds and each individual is reacting to the news differently. Generation Iron would like to once again send condolences out to friends, family, and anyone affected by this tragic loss.
Former Mr. Olympia Shawn Rhoden Reportedly Dead At 46 Years Old
Pro bodybuilder and former Mr. Olympia champion Shawn Rhoden has died.
More sad news has hit the bodybuilding world in already tragic year – pro bodybuilder and former Mr. Olympia champion Shawn Rhoden has reportedly died of a heart attack. He was 46 years old. The pro bodybuilder was a modern legend in the sport who also faced serious controversy in the years after winning the Mr. Olympia in 2018.
Very little information has been revealed at the time of this writing. But sources close to Generation Iron have reported that Shawn Rhoden suffered a fatal heart attack. Posts on social media from fellow athletes, experts, and fans have begun to pour out Saturday morning for the late pro bodybuilder.
An aspiring soccer player in his early teens, Shawn Rhoden discovered bodybuilding in 1992. One of his earliest inspirations was the former Mr. Universe champion Yohnnie Shambourger. Rhoden entered into his amateur bodybuilding career – only to face several injuries that pulled him out of competing. Shortly after, his father passed away.
The combination of these two events led to Shawn Rhoden developing an addiction to alcohol – completely derailing any chance of returning to a career of competitive bodybuilding. However, after putting much work into slow recovery, he returned to the sport and eventually earned his IFBB Pro card in 2010.
Shawn Rhoden placed 11th at his Mr. Olympia debut in 2011. Just one year later he rose up to third place. From that moment on, Rhoden remained in the top five at the Mr. Olympia competition year after year. He was seen as a serious threat to the title and was well known and respected for his smaller more aesthetic physique compared to the “mass monster” body types of his fellow competitors.
In 2018, Shawn Rhoden defeated Phil Heath in the Mr. Olympia. He was 43 years old – making him the oldest bodybuilder to ever win the title. His win was also notable for being the first person to dethrone Heath, who had won seven straight titles in a row and was looking to tie the world record of eight championship victories.
Leading up to his Mr. Olympia victory, a documentary was filmed chronicling his training and prep leading up to the competition titled Flexatron: Becoming Shawn Rhoden. The documentary also dove deep into his past exploring his upbringing, his series of injuries, the tragic passing of his father, and his alcohol dependence. Generation Iron distributed the film in 2019, releasing less than one year after his Mr. Olympia victory.
In July 2019, Shawn Rhoden was accused of sexually assaulting a fellow female bodybuilder at a hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah. The accusations claimed the events took place in October 2018 – very shortly after his Mr. Olympia win. He was formally charged in July of 2019. Shortly after the official charge, American Media Inc (AMI) issued a statement officially banning Rhoden from competing at the Mr. Olympia competition. This decision was to be reconsidered upon the conclusion of legal proceedings. Up until his passing, the accusations against Shawn Rhoden were never proven nor cleared.
Despite controversy, Shawn Rhoden was seen as a legend in the sport by many fans and athletes in the community. His excellent conditioning and near-Classic Physique made him a unique standout representing an older era of the sport. He is one of only 17 competitors to ever win a Mr. Olympia title.
The bodybuilding community has already begun an outpour of condolences via social media:
This is still a developing story. Generation Iron will continue to update as more information becomes available. The entire Generation Iron staff sends condolences to friends and family of Shawn Rhoden during this tragic time.
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