Tag: GI News
Pro Women’s Physique Competitor Jennifer Hernandez Has Reportedly Passed Away
Jennifer Hernandez, a Pro Women’s Physique bodybuilder, has died.
Tragic news has hit the bodybuilding world this weekend as early reports indicate that pro bodybuilder Jennifer Hernandez has passed away. Hernandez was a Pro Women’s Physique competitor. She was 58 years old. At the time of this writing, the cause of death has not been revealed.
While there has been no official announcement made by friends or family, sources close to Generation Iron have reported her passing. Many online have already started sharing the news and condolences on social media – including former pro bodybuilder and coach Dennis James.
“I’m still in shock and can’t believe we lost you Jen. Rest In Peace Jennifer Hernandez???You will be missed forever and always.”
Jennifer Hernandez was a talented Women’s Physique athlete who was last seen competing at the Tampa Pro 2021. Hernandez has been competing in bodybuilding since 2005 and earned her pro card in 2009 at the age of 47. More than a talented athlete – she was seen as an inspiration to many and a kind dear friend to those who knew her.
Jennifer Hernandez’s goal was to inspire and promote healthy lifestyle practices and fitness to the masses – focusing on a positive mindset and optimism toward achieving goals and believing in oneself. The mission statement on her personal website perfectly describes the kind of attitude she brought into bodybuilding:
“We all have the ability to shine bright like a star. We have the power to live life to our fullest potential. My goal is to teach the world one person at a time about cherishing yourself, your body, your spirit and pursuing your dreams.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with good nutrition, exercise and a positive mind set are the basic building blocks to being strong, confident, happy and successful.
I want to help you live a life filled with good health, positive energy, happiness and love by teaching you to make better lifestyle choices. Let’s spread more love and happiness in the world.
I am a role model, fitness competitor, personal trainer, teacher, competitor, mom, grandmother and leader.
I AM INSPIRED BY THE DESIRE TO INSPIRE YOU!”
While there has been no cause of death announced at this time, it seems her passing was sudden as here social media remained active up to one week ago.
News of Jennifer Hernandez’s passing is a hard pill to swallow after a very tragic year within the sport of bodybuilding. While seemingly unconnected, there have been many relatively young deaths of athletes in 2021 including George Peterson’s sudden and tragic passing days before the Mr. Olympia.
Hernandez’s death, like many others this past year, may have been due to a variety of reasons. Despite this, there has been a growing cry for better health conditions for the sport. Including Mr. Olympia owner Jake Wood who had made a comment advocating for better health practices put in place by leagues for pro bodybuilders. To be clear, there is no evidence that Jennifer Hernandez’s death was directly related to her bodybuilding lifestyle.
This story is still developing and Generation Iron Fitness Network will continue to provide updates as they become available. The entire Generation Iron staff would like to send condolences to friends and family during this difficult time.
George Butler, ‘Pumping Iron’ Director And Producer, Has Died At 78
Pumping Iron director and producer George Butler has passed away.
George Butler, a bodybuilding icon and director of the classic documentary Pumping Iron has died at 78 years old. Butler and his films helped launch the careers of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno – while also bringing the sport of bodybuilding as a whole into the mainstream. He helped inspire multiple generations of fans and athletes to this day.
The news was acknowledged by Arnold Schwarzenegger on his official Instagram page – where he paid tribute to the iconic filmmaker. Sources claim that his health was in rapid decline over the past year. A specific cause of death has not been revealed at this time.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s post on Instagram was brief – but also written within the image post included a more in-depth reaction and reflection on the man who helped bring his career into the spotlight.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Tribute To George Butler
“When I think about all of the people who were responsible for the growth of bodybuilding and the sport’s crossover to the mainstream, two of the first people to come to mind are, without any doubt, George Butler and Charles Gaines. ‘Pumping Iron’, the book and the movie, drew the general public in to our strange little niche sport and brought fitness – and the Austrian with an unpronounceable name and a funny accent – to the masses. I was saddened to hear the news of George’s passing. He was such a talent, he had a fantastic eye, and he was a force for the sport of bodybuilding and the fitness crusade. My thoughts are with his family.”
– Arnold Schwarzenegger
George Butler, Pumping Iron, and Bodybuilding
It’s hard to imagine a time before Pumping Iron. While the sport today is still niche in comparison to mainstream sports as a whole – there was a time when bodybuilding was so underground that no one even knew about it. Pumping Iron changed all of that. Not only did it help launch Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career into a blockbuster action icon – it brought bodybuilding into the mainstream and helped make the sport what it is today.
This is all thanks to George Butler, the man who produced and directed the film. Butler alongside his friend Charles Gaines, first published the book Pumping Iron introducing the world to a number of now bodybuilding legends such as the aforementioned Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno, Ed Corney, Franco Columbu, and many more.
Shortly after the book was published, George Butler and Charles Gaines worked together to produce a documentary of the same name. The film focused on the 1975 Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia competitions. As we all know now, the film primarily focused on Arnold Schwarzenegger battling for his sixth Mr. Olympia title. The film also posited Lou Ferrigno as his rival to knock him away from victory.
The inception of Pumping Iron started when George Butler, along with Charles Gaines, were assigned to cover niche sports – including bodybuilding. Butler met and spoke with Arnold Schwarzenegger who’s personality was so charismatic that Butler and Gaines conceived the idea of a book and film.
The rest, as they say, is history. Pumping Iron is now a pinnacle film in the sport’s history. This media company’s very existence is due in part to George Butler and Pumping Iron. Our original bodybuilding documentary film, Generation Iron, was a spiritual sequel and attempted to recapture the spirit but for the modern era of athletes. Generation Iron’s success paved the way for the entire GI media network – that has now been running since 2013.
George Butler’s Filmography
Pumping Iron (1977)
Pumping Iron II: The Women (1985)
In the Blood (1989)
The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition (2000)
Shackleton’s Antarctic Adventure (2001)
Going Upriver (2004)
Roving Mars (2006)
The Lord God Bird (2008)
The Good Fight (2010)
Tiger, Tiger (2015)
Tiger, Tiger: The IMAX Experience
There are no words for how essential George Butler was to the world of bodybuilding. He has inspired millions of fans and athletes. He is part of the bedrock from which modern bodybuilding as it is today exists. The entire staff of Generation Iron sends condolences to the friends and family of George Butler.
Talking Huge With Craig Golias | EP 17: All Bodybuilders Suffer From Bigorexia
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Craig Golias talks about the difference between hateful feedback and critical feedback and revisits his thoughts on bigorexia.
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 talks about bodybuilding feedback – the difference between pure hate and actual constructive criticism. He also revisits the concept of bigorexia and how it affects bodybuilding.
Craig Golias was one of the featured athletes in our documentary film Bigorexia. The film explored the inner workings of those who never felt big enough – no matter how big they become. It’s been over a year since the film was released so we decided to reconnect with Craig about his thoughts on the film and also his own relationship with bigorexia as a mental disorder. We also discussed bodybuilding criticism of physiques – when is criticism constructive and when does it become opinionated hate. Let’s jump into it.
Hateful Feedback Vs Constructive Criticism In Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a subjective sport and is completely revolved around judging physiques. But far too often we’ve seen competitive bodybuilders get defensive about statements about their physiques. Whether it’s disagreeing with the judges or finding fan comments offensive – there is a fine line between actual criticism and hurtful feedback.
We asked Craig Golias his thoughts on bodybuilding criticism in the social media space. Golias is not a competitor but is a bodybuilding influencer. As such, he will sometimes share his opinions on pro physiques and results from major bodybuilding shows. He’s done just very that on episodes of Talking Huge recently. When does criticism become unwarranted in a world full of constant comments and notifications?
Craig Golias tries to separate the difference between opinion and criticism. Yes, both involve subjective viewpoints – but one is constructive while the other is just gut reaction. Not all opinion can be hurtful but it can more often lead to defensiveness from those receiving the opinion.
For example, saying a certain pro bodybuilder should not have won a show is opinion. Breaking down what they believed was flawed about their physique and how it could improve – that’s more constructive criticism. A bodybuilder is far more likely to be offended by being told they shouldn’t have won. They worked hard for that big win. A bodybuilder might get offended by more detailed criticism if they don’t agree – but far more often will take it in stride and perhaps learn from it. This is especially true when the criticism comes from a reliable source.
Craig Golias: All Bodybuilders Have Bigorexia
We also discussed with Craig Golias about his involvement in Bigorexia and reflecting on the film over a year later. More specifically, we discuss his relationship with bigorexia as a mental condition. Craig has no qualms admitting that he has bigorexia. In fact, he embraces it. You can argue that that’s part of the condition – that he doesn’t see it as a real issue with both good and bad effects on his life.
But Craig Golias attributes bigorexia to his success. His obsession with getting huge is what brought him sponsorship contracts and allowed him to become a personal trainer with a handful of clients. For Craig, the best parts of his life came from his obsession with being as big as possible.
He also goes on to say that all bodybuilders suffer from bigorexia. He believes that is the only reason any sane person would want to try being a bodybuilder. The amount of work, sacrifice, and risks that come with being a mass monster are too great for a completely logical person to stick with. Craig thinks that every bodybuilder sees someone too small in the mirror. Do you agree?
Wrap Up
There are far more topics discussed in this episode than we can cover in this article. Craig Golias also discusses the pros and cons of being an influencer and also muses over whether or not he would like to train pro bodybuilders for competitions. You can check it all out 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!
Joseph Whittaker Avoids Injury In Gym During 400kg Squat
Powerlifter Joseph Whittaker was able to unload massive weight to avoid injury.
There is a reason that weightlifters have multiple spot when attempting an enormous lift. Even for the average lifter, it is important to have spotters present when venturing into new dynamics or weights. This is something powerlifter Joseph Whittaker knows and can back up — especially after avoiding injury during an accident.
On Tuesday, Whittaker had a close call while attempting a 400kg squat. After getting the bar on his back, Whittaker’s knee buckled and this caused him to begin to fall backward. He was able to unload the weight over his head and avoid a potential injury that could have been very serious.
Whittaker had a spotter behind him during the lift. He was able to drop the weight onto straps that were attached to the machine. The full video can be seen in Whittaker’s Instagram post below.
“Alright team,SOUND ON, the share violence of this is mind baffling and the monolift is the safest thing I’ve squatted in, after unracking 400 my knee snapped back batter in the wrap which made me loose balance and well I done my best to scrap it the end result and safest option was to dump over my head unfortunately fucked a squat bar ??..“I WONT STOP BECAUSE IM SORE/TIRED I WILL STOP WHEN THE WORK IS DONE””
This is not the first time that Joseph Whittaker has attempted a 400kg lift. In September during the 2021 NZ-UA Wolfpack Invitational, Whittaker completed a 380kg lift. After his first squat, Whittaker attempted a 402.5kg squat on his second and third try but failed both.
This is not surprising given the fact that the New Zealand native is one of the top powerlifters in the +120kg weight class. He has been competing for nearly a decade and has gotten comfortable in the top two at events.
This mishap did not turn Joseph Whittaker away from attempting heavy lifts. On Thursday, the powerlifter took another shot at a 402kg squat. This time, he was successful. Whittaker posted three videos. The first was a 375kg which Whittaker described as a warmup. The final two were 402kg.
Joseph Whittaker has had a clear plan for his next squat goal. In training, he has been able to reach it and it will being interesting to see if he can complete the lift next time on stage. No matter how strong a competitor is, there is always a chance to mistakes to happen. This move by Whittaker proves it and shows how instinctive he is when unloading the weight over his head. It was great to see that he was not hurt and will have many chances to put up even bigger squat numbers.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
2021 Legion Sports Fest Pro Preview
Here is a look at the 2021 Legion Sports Fest Pro doing up this weekend!
The next big show in bodybuilding will be the 2021 Legion Sports Fest Pro set to take place on Sunday. Some of the top competitors in the world will gather to Reno, NV vying for qualification to next year’s Olympia.
There will be plenty of action this weekend in Reno. The competition will feature a total of six divisions and it will be headlined by Men’s Open. Joining the big boys on stage will be Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Women’s Physique, Bikini, and Fitness. Results will be announced Sunday night with winners getting a head start on preparation for the biggest competition of the year.
Below, you can find a full list of competitors along with some of the top names to watch when they hit the stage over the weekend.
2021 Legion Sports Pro Fest Competitors’ List
Nerio Angulo
Tonio Burton
Maxx Charles
Shaun Clarida
Rafael Del Real
Jesus Escobedo
Martin Fitzwater
Regan Grimes
Brandon Hatton
Kenneth Jackson
Scott Lightfoot
Stan de Longeaux
Cedric McMillan
Patrick Moore
Sergio Oliva Jr.
Christian Salcedo
Joe Seeman
Ron Stevens
2021 Legion Sports Pro Fest Competitors To Watch
Sergio Oliva Jr.
Sergio Oliva Jr. finished sixth at the Arnold Classic but earned his second-straight posing award. He has turned into one of the best posers in bodybuilding and this is part of the battle. During the Arnold Classic, Oliva was not as dry and tight as he needed to be. This is something that could be changed heading into the weekend. Oliva certainly has the size to finish near the top of the show and it will come down to the shape he shows up in.
Regan Grimes
Regan Grimes recently hired a new coach and the progress is already visible. This came quickly after a 15th place finish at the 2021 Olympia a few weeks ago. Grimes has not been in the win column since the 2020 Romania Pro and is looking to change his fortune. Grimes will enter the competition as one of the top competitors and his recent physique updates have shown. Grimes displays massive legs and shoulders along with a small waist. This shows well on stage and if he enters in top condition, Grimes has a chance to compete.
Cedric McMillan
Cedric McMillan has missed some time with injuries and he is looking to get back into serious competition. McMillan was on the broadcast for the 2021 Arnold Classic but was unable to compete. Now that he is cleared, there is a new force to be reckoned with. McMillan will enter the competition as one of the biggest competitors, both in size and height. He has a physique that is well-proportioned and is a strong poser. McMillan will have a chance to have a put on a show in his return.
Patrick Moore
Patrick Moore is another competitor who finished near the bottom of the Olympia. After a 14th place finish, Moore is looking to improve his physique and attempt to qualify for next year’s competition. The reigning California Pro champion is not the biggest competitor but he makes up for it in conditioning and presentation. If Moore enters the weekend in his best shape, he will be a force on stage.
Shaun Clarida
Shaun Clarida is one of the top 212 competitors in the sport. He won the Olympia 212 back in 2020 and finished second to Derek Lunsford this year. Now, Clarida will try his hand in Men’s Open. This is not a permanent switch as Clarida has said that he is not leaving the 212 division. This is a chance to see how Clarida matches up with the big boys in Men’s Open. He is normally an extremely well-conditioned competitor and this might translate well.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Big Ramy Never Before Seen Pics From Trainer Chad Nicholls
Trainer Chad Nicholls has released never-before-seen pictures of Big Ramy prior to 2021 Olympia.
Big Ramy is coming off his second-straight victory at the Olympia just a few weeks ago. Entering the 2021 competition, the Egyptian bodybuilder was viewed as the favorite and a competitor who might be unbeatable. It was a close battle on stage but Big Ramy ended up winning once again. Leading up to the competition, his training regimen might not have been strict.
Big Ramy has been working with trainer Chad Nicholls. We did not see many physique updates leading up to the competition and that is because preparation did not begin until three months before Big Ramy was set to step on stage. He remained in great shape but Nichols revealed that he was 327 pounds at the time the pictures were taken.
During the Olympia press conference, Big Ramy weighed in at 305 pounds. He looked rock-solid on stage and it looked like a physique that was training all year. That was not the case.
“Here are 3 never before seen pics of 2x Mr. Olympia @big_ramy – these were check-in pics taken August 1, 2021 – after only one month of training – his weight is approximately 327 – we started this year‘s Olympia prep July 1 – up until this point he had not trained since the Olympia on December 19, 2020 – let that sink in for a minute – in my opinion it was one of the most amazing preps I’ve ever seen for what he was able to accomplish in a short period of time – next year will be interesting because the game plan has already been put in motion and he will train for the next 14 months to defend the title and to show some thing extraordinary.”
Nicholls shares that Big Ramy did not train from December 2020 when he won his first Olympia until July 2021. This is shocking and when looking at the shape that he was in, quite surprising. This might be why Big Ramy’s victory was a bit controversial this year.
In 2020, there was no doubt who the champion was. This time around, many believed that there were competitors in better shape. Brandon Curry finished second this year while Hadi Choopan was third. There were talks that Choopan was in the best shape and had the best conditioning this year. In the end, it was Big Ramy who celebrated for a second-straight year.
Nicholls continued by saying that Big Ramy will be training for 14 months leading up to next year’s competition. This should make fans excited about what they could see in 2022.
“At the end of the day I love my job but I’m also a Bodybuilding fan I love the contest part of it but the photos leading into the show these never before seen pics are the ones that I love to see and hopefully you will enjoy them as well – I will try and post pics from every couple of weeks leading into the show.”
Big Ramy has said that he will defend his title for years to come. If he trains around the calendar, he will be even more difficult to take down.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Iain Valliere: The Struggle Of Mass Monster Eating & Vital Tips For Hardgainers
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Iain Valliere discusses the often ignored struggle of eating mass amounts of food to reach pro bodybuilding size… and shares tips to improve your appetite.
Iain Valliere is a pro bodybuilder on the rise in Men’s Open. In 2021, he received much hype for his physique winning multiple shows throughout the year. He also placed 7th at the Olympia 2021. This is nothing to slouch at. That’s why we turned to him for advice that he could share with up and coming bodybuilders. During our discussion, the topic of diet, nutrition, and the challenge of eating high amounts of calories became a focus. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Iain Valliere shares his personal struggles with eating like a mass monster and shares his tips for how to improve appetite.
Men’s Open bodybuilders are massive. There’s no getting around that. For fans of the sport, we might all be used to the mass monster size. But to the average person, these athletes look like freaks. That’s part of the appeal. But the reality is, even if it’s largely muscle, Men’s Open bodybuilders weight between 240-300 pounds on average. That’s a lot of weight. Training hardcore in the gym alone doesn’t build that kind of size. It takes a lot of food to build up that kind of weight as well. It’s a situation that Iain Valliere knows very well.
It’s no secret that most pro athletes consume far more calories than the average person. Bodybuilders fall on the most extreme side of this. In order to maintain 250 pounds of muscle, a bodybuilder needs to eat a lot. This is not natural for most people – even for most bodybuilders dedicated to the sport and lifestyle. In fact, Mr. Olympia champion Jay Cutler himself described a bodybuilder diet as force feeding.
During our conversation with Iain Valliere, we talked about bodybuilding diets and the struggle of eating mass amounts of food. Valliere revealed that he is naturally a hardgainer. When he graduated high school he only weighed 106 pounds. Putting on massive bodybuilding weight was always a challenge for him. Eating large amounts of food every day was basically a chore.
So what can a hardgainer do when they simply have no appetite to eat more food? What happens when the prospect of eating one more bite of anything disgusts them? We asked this question to Iain Valliere – and he had some vital tips to share.
First there’s the unfortunate truth, it simply takes time for you to physically and psychologically adapt to eating mass amounts of food. Iain Valliere admits he had more struggles when he first started. But consistency and constant effort into the sport simply rewires your mentality over time. It’s not going to make the early efforts any easier – but it does get better.
Thankfully, Iain Valliere also has some truly actionable tips to help increase your appetite. Many bodybuilders will avoid cardio during bulking season. This is due to the fear of cardio cutting away at muscle on top of the fat. Valliere has learned that cardio is actually necessary for bodybuilders – even during the off season. It doesn’t have to be hardcore cardio – but some aerobic action each day will increase your appetite. Valliere suggests talking a jog or walk after every meal. It will not burn too many calories – but help prevent bloating and fullness in the long run.
You can watch Iain Valliere explain his full experience with eating and his tips to increase appetite in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
2021 Mr. America Highlights & Recap
The 2021 Mr. America competition was one that featured many exciting highlights.
The 2021 Mr. America competition has a rich history of success and this year was no different. All competitors gathered at The SHOWBOAT Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ to put on another rendition of Mr. America. The three-day event took place from Oct. 8-10 and was full of action from the opening minutes.
Mr. America is an all-natural competition where athletes enter with a bit of a different look than IFBB professional bodybuilding. There is not as much mass on stage and competitors do not enter looking as tight. This is because the bodybuilders do not dry out their muscles as much and retain a bit more water. This makes athletes look different on stage but that does not mean that judging is softer or that competitors do not look incredible.
Top Athletes
When the athletes step on stage, they are judged on five basic criteria. These are muscular development, muscular proportion, conditioning, posing, and general appearance. Along with placings, there are three divisions that perform a routine — Men’s Open, Men’s Classic Physique, and Women’s Physique. Entering the competition, there were favorites to win but that does not mean that it played out that way.
There were many returning winners looking to defend their title at the 2021 competition. Joe LaCerra returned to defend his title in the Pro Classic category while Dora Avila was the reigning champion in Pro Bikini. Johnny Dotson returned after a 2020 victory in Pro Men’s Physique and Jenna Bidoglio was the champion in Pro Figure.
In the end, it was Cory Brown who highlighted the show with a victory in Men’s Open. He appeared on stage in excellent shape with conditioning that was above the rest. Jeremiah Kenney-Wright was named the new champion in Pro Classic while Arius Norris won gold in Men’s Physique. Bidoglio was bested in Pro Figure but took home gold in Classic Figure.
Prior to the competition, Generation Iron spoke with multiple athletes and this includes the likes of Joe LaCerra and Jenna Bidoglio.
LaCerra spoke on his training routine and how martial arts led him to bodybuilding. This began at a young age and in high school, LaCerra began training in the gym. He took all skills learned at a young age and put them into bodybuilding. LaCerra believes in recovery while training and this is why he keeps his volume low while training o maximize recovery. He finds it important to log progress and keep track of any changes in physique.
It is not surprising that LaCerra, along with other Mr. America competitors, believe in foods with high protein. This includes eggs, egg whites, chicken, and lean beef. Bidoglio follows much of the same nutritional values but had a different upbringing that led to bodybuilding.
Bidoglio was a three-sport athlete in high school before falling into bodybuilding. As an athlete, Bidoglio was always working out in some aspect and her physique caught the eye of her coach. This is when she began giving proper nutrition and training a try and the results were immediate. Now, Bidoglio has turned into one of the best all-natural competitors in the sport.
History Of Mr. America
Mr. America has made great strides since its beginning in 1939. It was started by the Amateur Athletic Union when it championed the idea of Greek ideal that perfectly sculpted physiques. The IFBB was a challenger to Mr. America when it was founded. There was a slow decline of the original ideals when money became involved along with the idea that physiques and builds must be larger.
The AAU wold eventually stop hiding the contest and this caused it to fall out of the public eye a bit. Over the years, East Coast Fitness Concepts began taking over in an attempt to bring Mr. America back to prominence. Successful events over the last two years is beginning to accomplish this goal.
The 2021 event was broadcasted on CBS Sports Network. This is an important step for natural bodybuilding to gain an audience and continue to build a strong reputation. When it comes to all-natural competition, Mr. America is leading the way. This is the top competition in the natural bodybuilding scene and it will only continue to grow from here.
The 2021 competition was a rousing success and this was a huge step forward for a competition that continues to build momentum. It will be interesting and exciting to see how it continues to grow over the years.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Ronnie Coleman Discusses Motivation In The Gym At 57 Years Old
Ronnie Coleman is continuing to train and keep up his physique at 57 years old.
Ronnie Coleman is one of the best bodybuilders of all-time. He has eight Olympia titles, which is tied for the most in the history of the sport. It has not always been an easy road for Coleman but he was able to stay at the top of his game throughout his career and is continuing to train to 57 years old.
In a recent YouTube video, Coleman spoke on his motivation in the gym to the day. He has struggled with his health over the years and this includes a recent back injury sine retiring from competition. He still makes frequent appearances in the gym and this led to him being asked what his motivation was to this day.
“That’s easy. Working out is a hobby for me. I’m having the most fun that I’ve ever had in my whole entire life. So I look forward to going to the gym each and every single day, and if I don’t I’m in a real, real, real bad mood. So I stay motivated because it’s my passion, and I’m having the time of my life, and I look forward, and it is the best hobby that I’ve ever had,” Coleman said.
Ronnie Coleman received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2021 Arnold Classic. This is because of the work he has done for the sport of bodybuilding and the great success that he saw on stage. Coleman was always well-conditioned but transformed the sport of bodybuilding in a way that led competitors to aiming for incredible mass.
There are many accomplishments to be proud of for Coleman but he admits that wining his first Olympia title is still the best.
“The best moment of my life was when I won my first Mr. Olympia title, because the only I reason I got into bodybuilding was because Brian told me he would give me a free membership to the gym. Never had any intentions whatsoever of winning the Mr. Olympia. Hell, I didn’t even know what it was when I started bodybuilding.”
Ronnie Coleman’s first Olympia title was in 1998. This was well after he began having issues with his back. In 1996, Coleman suffered herniated discs that put his status at the Arnold Classic in jeopardy. Coleman refused surgery and went back to training.
The competition was about eight weeks away and Coleman was determined to get on stage. In fact, he credited hard work in the gym for improving his back and overall status to get back to competition.
“The doctors said ‘We can do surgery if you want us to and we can fix. that herniation right away.’ I was like dude, I ain’t doing no surgery. So I went straight to the chiropractor, and I went every single day, and that helped a whole lot. That got me ready to get back in the gym… So I get back in the gym after two weeks laying on the floor, and I started back working out. Actually I think the gym is what really got me back to normal. Going to the gym, working out, doing that same old thing.”
Even during his years of retirement, Coleman has remained a huge name in bodybuilding and that will continue. His work in the gym will also continue and he has made that clear. It is nice to see that Coleman still remains motivated to put his body through workouts and that he is healthy enough to endure the pump.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Big Ramy Celebrated Upon Arrival In Egypt Following Olympia Victory
Big Ramy received the proper welcome upon returning to Egypt after winning the Olympia.
Mamdouh Elssbiay, better known as Big Ramy, is now a couple weeks removed from successfully defending his title at the Olympia. This was his second-straight victory which now has him solidified at the top of bodybuilding. Big Ramy recently returned home to Egypt and was welcomed back in a big way.
Big Ramy took to Instagram to show off the welcome he received when he arrived at the airport. The EgyptAir crew setup a display of balloons welcoming him back. He was then asked to hang around for some pictures with a crowd that was gathered to see him.
This welcome was no surprise given the level that bodybuilding has risen to around the world. The sport is becoming huge in other countries and this includes Egypt. In fact, this is one area where bodybuilding is beginning to really take off. To have a competitor the level of Big Ramy represent the country means a lot and it shows.
The welcome he received this year is similar to what Big Ramy was greeted with a year ago. In 2020, Big Ramy took home his first Olympia title by defeating 2019 champion Brandon Curry. He has now topped Curry in each of the previous two competitions and he will continue to defend his title.
Big Ramy was greeted by the pilot and staff once they landed. He had to be escorted through the airport because of the crowds that gathered to see him. This continued once he left the airport and went outside. He has become a hero in Egypt and it has shown with the attention he has been receiving.
Last week, it was announced that Big Ramy’s hometown of Kafr El Sheikh would have a square named after him. It is clear that there will continue to be recognition for Big Ramy’s accomplishments and rightfully so.
There was a bit of controversy following this year’s competition. There were many that believed Hadi Choopan was the best conditioned athlete on stage. This might have made some question the victory but that should not be the case. He entered the competition at 305 pounds of muscle. Big Ramy continued to be the perfect blend of mass and conditioning.
Big Ramy has made it clear that he will continue to defend his title for years to come. His reputation is solidified and he has a chance to build on it. Either way, he is already a hero in his home country and that is worth plenty.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.