Tag: nEWS
Kali Muscle Gets Honest About Depression & Junk Food in Prison, Gives Downsized Physique Update
Fitness influencer and bodybuilder Chuck “Kali Muscle” Kirkendall has taken various measures for his health since a near-fatal heart attack in 2021. In a recent video published on his YouTube channel, Kali discussed downsizing his physique, his diet, and whether or not his image was affected by a sudden drop in weight.
Kali Muscle is an immensely popular YouTuber with over 3.38 million subscribers. His outspoken personality and divisive nature have made him stand out in news headlines. He’s worked out since he was a teenager, and while he was locked up in prison at 19, Kali Muscle has gone to considerable lengths to better his life. However, he paid with more than just time served when he was incarcerated, as he also admits to wrecking his body with junk food.
Even though Muscle isn’t a pro bodybuilder, he’s been involved with the community for a very long time. He is arguably the most outspoken fitness personality against steroids and rampant performance-enhancing drug use. In the past few years, Muscle has seen bodybuilders die at an alarming rate.
Fans took notice of this concerning trend following the death of the late Shawn Rhoden. Within a matter of months, 212 talent George Peterson also lost his life from a suspected heart attack. Last March, the sport was rocked by the passing of Cedric McMillan at 44. Given the tragedies, athletes like Muscle continued to condemn the use of steroids.
Kali Muscle Talks Mental Health Decline, Downsizing Physique: ‘I’m Focused on Trying to Prevent Health Scares’
Kali Muscle said he’s trying to prevent health scares moving forward. Initially, he was worried dropping weight and downsizing would ‘tarnish his image’ with fans and followers.
“Why my mental health is declining… since Nov. 2021, I had my heart attack. Never in my life I’d imagine I’d go through a health scare, all my life I was focused on trying to prevent any health scares or any things with my heart or body.”
“Now I was only 46 having to take all this medication with my friends and family thinking less of me, with the internet thinking less of me. I knew I was going to have to drop down and I didn’t have a problem with dropping weight but I just didn’t want to tarnish or damage my image. My name is Kali Muscle. My meals down at that point to like two meals a day, still working out, still had good energy at the time.
As time goes on, any time I felt something, like on my left side, I was scared. This is a daily occurrence even to this day, thinking I feel something, if it’s gas. If I don’t eat, I get gassy and it goes straight to the left side,” Kali Muscle shared. “I might have a little anxiety attack sometimes,” Kali Muscle said.
According to Muscle, his ‘infatuation’ with becoming buff started when he was in 9th grade when football coaches didn’t let him play.
“Growing up I was a small kid, I was like 90 pounds, and I can show you this picture of me playing football. I was like 90 pounds in 9th grade so they didn’t let me play. So that started my infatuation with wanting to get buff. It was those coaches in 9th grade telling me i was too small. So from then on I was like possessed with getting big.
I used to force-feed myself almost regurgitating. That was my mission. So that went on throughout my whole life. For three months, I wasn’t on nothing. I wasn’t on no testosterone, TRT, I wasn’t on pre-workouts, I was scared to do anything. I went on this 1 mil a day. Luckily for me, it was easy because I wanted to live.”
“Don’t Get Fat, Don’t Get Over Muscular” Kali Looks Back on Prison Cuisine
After going to prison at 19, Kali Muscle remembered eating a poor diet of Top Ramen, Honey Buns, and Snickers daily.
“I’m going to try what Big Boy do. At 19, I went to prison. And I was eating all the crap food, that’s all they have in prison. Because i contribute my health problem to a lot of Top Ramen, saturated foods, I was eating Honey Buns, Top Ramen, Snickers, I’m talking about 4-5 Top Ramens a day with the seasoning packs. I didn’t know about sodium.
A lot of people not eating to sodium. As we all know, heart disease is the number one killer in the U.S. This goes out to all the young people in the world man. Don’t get fat. Don’t get over muscular, stay lean and mean. You get too big you’re going to have skin issues like me.”
Some have questioned Kali Muscle’s recent decision to eat once daily. He worries that his strict dieting may be affecting his mental outlook as he feels depressed.
“That’s when eating once a day came into question. I’ll be like, do I have enough energy or food in my system to keep up with my kids and do my daily go-to things of working, starting businesses, having to work out.”
“I’m at the place where I should be at. That’s what keeps that motivation and grind. That’s what really combats depression. Just think, all of this is on me. I got to take care of my wife, my kids, business partners, I got to make sure we cool. I got to worry about my health, my heart. There’s all these worries and thoughts.”
This isn’t the first time Kali Muscle has gotten brutally honest about his steroid use and longevity. One of his latest YouTube contributions saw him come clean about 13 years of PED abuse. He shared that his heart attack in 2021 was the tipping point. From then on, he stopped taking steroids.
Kali Muscle believes drugs are to blame for bodybuilding deaths. While speaking to fans on YouTube, Kali stressed that the dangers present in the sport prevented him from going pro. He added that if he had pursued a bodybuilding career, he’d be dead today.
As with most bodybuilders, downsizing later in life can be a tough pill to swallow. Just ask bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger, who also said that it’s been incredibly difficult to accept his physique at 75 years old having once been the best-built man in the world.
RELATED: Kali Muscle Shares ‘Raw Truth’ About Steroids: “If You’re a Bodybuilder, You’re Risking Your Life
You can watch the full video from Kali Muscle’s YouTube channel below:
Published: 4 July, 2023 | 12:26 PM EDT
Terrick El Guindy On Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ‘Forever Legacy’: ‘He’s an Icon of Modern Times’
Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s overall impact on bodybuilding is tough to measure given his accolades, but Olympia judge Terrick El Guindy gave it his best shot. In a recent Olympia TV YouTube video, El Guindy recapped Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career, evaluated his physique, and named him the most iconic bodybuilder of all time.
No one can deny that Arnold Schwarzenegger is the most famous and recognizable figure in bodybuilding today. But he didn’t achieve that status overnight. He had to work diligently, stay disciplined, and maintain consistency in his pursuits both on and off the stage.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Schwarzenegger dominated the sport with his unique and impressive physique highlighted by his massive biceps and full chest. These features set him apart from the rest of the IFBB Pro League competitors at the time.
En route to winning seven Sandow trophies, Schwarzenegger faced some cutthroat opponents during his tenure, such as Frank Zane and Sergio Oliva, who both won the Mr. Olympia title three times. He also had a close call with Mike Mentzer, who many think should have beaten Schwarzenegger in the controversial 1980 Mr. Olympia comeback, like Samir Bannout. Looking back on his career, Schwarzenegger mentioned that Oliva was his toughest opponent by far.
Aside from bodybuilding, Schwarzenegger has enjoyed great success as an actor, philanthropist, and politician. He continues to take part in TV shows and films, many of which have gained considerable traction over the last few months. To honor one of the greatest talents of this generation, bodybuilding judge Terrick El Guindy took a closer look at Schwarzenegger’s career and accomplishments.
Terrick El Guindy Reviews Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Documentary, Physique, and Legacy
El Guindy named Schwarzenegger the greatest icon in bodybuilding.
“I loved this documentary. Arnold Schwarzenegger is the greatest icon in bodybuilding and for many of us, the greatest icon in the acting world. Who doesn’t love his movies? Arnold Schwarzenegger is a legacy and will be a legacy forever.”
Then, El Guindy shared his thoughts on Arnold’s physique before he went on to become a dominant champion.
“This guy has very very large clavicle bones, huge structure, he’s massive. But he needed to be more conditioned to overcome the winner Frank Zane. Now, Arnold is a younger competitor he has all the potential but in order for him to beat some of these smaller more experienced bodybuilders, he’s going to have to work on his conditioning.”
El Guindy said Arnold’s initial goal was to be like his idol Reg Parks.
“His hero was Reg Park. Yes. Hercules. He was always always thinking about him. He wanted to be like him. He saw him in the movies, he saw him in the magazines, and eventually, he met him in London. He was the Arnold for Arnold Schwarzenegger. And yes, Reg Park is one of the greatest bodybuilders of all times and he was Arnold’s hero. Like everyone else, Arnold always, and like us, had a hero.”
El Guindy took a closer look at the physique Schwarzenegger brought to 1968 Mr. Olympia where he lost in second to Frank Zane.
“He came to America to compete in 1968 against Frank Zane. He thought – he was convinced – that he was going to win that competition. He was the big shot in Europe. Everybody knew him and he did not win. He came in second. He was huge but he wasn’t conditioned. He lost to Frank Zane who eventually became a great friend along with Franco Columbo and helped him become more conditioned for the future. Frank Zane and Franco Columbo are the two bodybuilders that truly helped Arnold become better,” said Terrick El Guindy.
Lastly, El Guindy underlined Arnold’s courage and said he continues to ‘carry the legacy of bodybuilding for all of us.’
“Arnold was very courageous in this documentary, opening up to all his great victories but also some of the mistakes that he has made in life. He has succeeded after all. He has managed to have a great career and a great family life. And I commend Arnold because all of us make mistakes and Arnold just like any other human, has made mistakes but he has survived. He has survived from the beginning to the end to become this icon of modern times. Arnold Schwarzenegger lost many friends like Franco Columbo, he lost his hero Reg Park, but he continues to carry the legacy of bodybuilding for all of us.”
Schwarzenegger recently looked back on the struggles he encountered during his acting career. In an honest interview with Academy Museum, ‘The Austrian Oak’ talked about an ‘unbelievable turnaround’ in acting despite some in the industry suggesting that his muscles and accent would get in the way of procuring movie roles.
Bodybuilding hasn’t always been as mainstream or accepted as it is nowadays. Schwarzenegger has discussed this at length before. However, he believes the turning point for the sport’s popularity came following his role in the popular docudrama Pumping Iron in 1977.
Having built his name with seven Mr. Olympia titles, acting projects, politics, and philanthropy, Schwarzenegger’s story shows what is possible from someone who started from very humble beginnings.
RELATED: Arnold Schwarzenegger Reveals The Reason For Using The ‘Suicide Grip’ For Bench Press
You can watch the full video from the Olympia TV YouTube channel below:
Published: 4 July, 2023 | 9:34 AM EDT
Flex Lewis Starts Physique Transformation for Nov: “I Want to Be Bigger, Stronger & Faster”
Flex Lewis, a 212 bodybuilding superstar, intends to transform his physique over the next four months. In a recent Instagram post, Lewis announced his plans to get in the best shape of his life post-bodybuilding, where he hopes to be bigger, stronger, and faster than ever.
“This is a true challenge, with the last challenge it was 2018 in my last Mr Olympia prep. This is something I have missed, and anyone inspired to start their own journey/ transformation let’s all do it together,” shared Flex Lewis.
Lewis built a successful career in the 2000s with shocking mass, dry conditioning, and muscle maturity. He is well known for his intense training methods as well as his huge forearms and biceps. During his respective tenure, Lewis left nothing in the tank, having not only secured seven 212 Olympia titles but defeated heavy hitters who shared the stage with him, such as Derek Lunsford, Shaun Clarida, and Kamal Elgargni.
Given his success in 212 Bodybuilding, all signs pointed to Flex trying out the Open. And despite rumors about his potential switch, it never materialized. Instead, Lewis decided to retire on top last May. He’s enjoyed retirement since stepping away but has kept up with his training and physique. With all that Flex has accomplished, he said the only way he’d return is for a seven-figure payday.
Flex Lewis is now ready to once again transform his physique. His birthday is Nov. 15, and he has made it clear he plans to include fans on his journey to becoming bigger, stronger, and faster.
“The Big 4-0 is Coming, It’s Time for a Challenge!” – Flex Lewis Announces Physique Transformation Goal
According to Lewis, he plans to showcase this journey on Instagram and YouTube. Before turning 40, he is aiming to become bigger, faster, and stronger. Lewis’ primary goal is to better his cardiovascular health.
“July 1st, I’ll be doing my own personal challenge and I would love to welcome you guys with me on that journey. Again, you don’t have to follow a particular challenge just do your challenge and commit yourself to the process. Nov. 15 is going to be my birthday, I’ll be turning the big 40. And on that day, I want to be in the best shape I have been in a number of years, I want to be stronger, faster, much more better looking.”
“We will be doing a lot of things that mentally, physically tax me, and I’m very much looking forward to the challenge. The last time you followed me was on the 2018 Mr. Olympia prep where obviously you know, I held my hat up and left it on the stage at that time. You guys have been asking for various challenges and diets, so here it is,” shared Flex Lewis.
Moving forward with the challenge, Lewis intends to try out different sports with the world’s best athletes.
“The BIG 4-0 is coming in a few months and it’s TIME for a Challenge!!!–I have been talking and doing more things outside of my wheel house, doing things that excite me and at the same time scare me. Trying new avenues I have discovered a new love. That love is for my podcast @straightouttathelair.Never did I think I be a podcast host, as most know I never went on many in my whole career.This has now set the tone of what else can I learn about myself during a challange, a journey all whilst becoming the best version of myself a bigger, stronger, faster version of myself.–Although getting myself back into great physical shape, my plan is to also be in the best cardiovascular shape. I will be training with the worlds best athletes in different sports, my hopes are to discover a version of myself I have not yet seen. And most importantly having the best mindset during this journey will be something I strongly focus on.–Follow on ALL socials from:– Instagram (here)– The NEW YouTube channel where all the vlogs and training will call it’s home (Please Subscribe)– Podcast: Straight Outta The Lair– My private FACEBOOK page:Flextraordinary Challange–The private Facebook page is where I will be sharing most of the stuff. Yet I will be posting on all platforms the majority of the challange will be on there. I have some exciting things in store. ALL FREE even if that had to be said.–There’s no plans, it cookie cutter diets this is a commitment to oneself. Your path is yours as mine is mine. Just commit to see the best version of you and you will truly be shocked just how much you can achieve.” Flex Lewis shared.
Flex Lewis isn’t the only high-profile bodybuilding veteran keen on transforming his physique. Former four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler has dominated discussions online with his ‘Fit-for-50’ challenge. Cutler’s birthday is in August and he’s lost 15 pounds on the journey. Judging by Cutler’s latest update, it appears he’s well on his way to presenting one of the best 50-year-old physiques ever seen.
Similar to Flex Lewis’ challenge criteria, 1990s standout Kevin Levrone is also transforming his body and lifestyle. Last year, he laid out the 12-week fitness challenge he committed to. He’s shared a number of endurance-based training sessions for cardiovascular health, agility, and endurance.
RELATED: Flex Lewis Shares Top 3 Movements to Build Olympia-Worthy Chest: “Control Is Key”
Considering Flex Lewis’ impact on the sport in retirement, his fitness challenge is sure to motivate his followers who last saw him in action at the 2018 Olympia where he won his final title.
Published: 3 July, 2023 | 5:52 PM EDT
Mitchell Hooper Speaks Out About His Struggle With Mental Health And Suicidal Thoughts
Mitchell Hooper is coming off one of the greatest rookie years in the history of Strongman. So, many people wonder what exactly it is that makes him such an incredible athlete. Well, the 2023 World’s Strongest Man recently sat down with another champion, the 7x Mr. Olympia in the 212 class, Flex Lewis. The pair conducted a two hour podcast on Lewis’ YouTube channel where they touched on numerous topics, including mental health struggles, the benefits of winning big competitions, the sacrifice needed to become the best, and more.
Mitchell Hooper Talks About Reaching The Top
Mitchell Hooper opened up by explaining what his thought process was going into the 2023 World’s Strongest Man. Despite winning the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic shortly before, Mitchell still did not think his chances of winning the title were large.
This comes due to the fact that the events at the 2023 WSM were not the ones that Hooper excels in usually. However, he still managed to put in an effort and win the competition.
“It was, if you know the events and you know what I’m good at, it was a more than perfect performance… In my estimation, I probably have three or four more chances at the most to win, and the odds that all of those go perfectly are very low. So, I thought I had about a 25% chance.”
Related: ‘I Was in Serious Danger’: Mitchell Hooper Breaks Down 2023 World’s Strongest Man Win
Mitchell Hooper was then asked how he managed to achieve the greatest thing in Strongman after just one year in the sport. He revealed that experience has benefited himself the most, as he now knows how to approach different events and develop a tactic for the competition.
“I don’t know if I’m that much stronger than I was 12 months ago, but I’m just a much smarter athlete. Obviously, the strength creeps up over time, but it’s just execution. I think that’s the important thing, your performance can vary a little bit physically, but psychologically your coils have vast differences in performance.”
Mitchell Hooper also believes that he is extremely gifted in the genetic department, since he has been able to succeed in multiple sports. Even in Strongman, he has not sacrificed his health, family life, business, or similar stuff, but still came out on top. However, Hooper believes that he has to give back to the sport due to this.
“I haven’t sacrificed as much as a lot of other guys. I haven’t given up areas of my life that other guys have given up. I have my health, I have business outside of Strongman, I’ve got a good relationship with my family, and I still spend time with them every week… It’s a responsibility to give back…”
How It Feels To Be a Champion
However, even after getting some money from Strongman, while also gaining fame, Mitchell Hooper is still most proud of being the greatest in the world at one particular sport.
“I am actually one. Number one. Just winning is not important to me, just to reiterate, but just the knowledge that you’re at the pinnacle of the world in anything is ridiculous.”
Mitchell Hooper’s Mental Health
Despite being in a comfortable place currently, Mitchell Hooper reveals that he experienced very difficult hardships during his career. This comes regarding his mental health, as Hooper opened up on the podcast, touching on a topic that he has not even talked about with his family.
“Going into Arnolds, it was probably one of the most difficult times of my life. I’d speak to my coach a couple times a week, and if you watch him going up to me after, you can see that I’m fighting back tears. And it’s not tears of joy, it’s tears because there were times I didn’t think I was gonna make it here.”
Mitchell Hooper then reflects on the past year in Strongman, revealing that he did not feel as good mentally as his success would make it seem. However, many people look from the outside and comment on his character and life without really knowing anything.
“You’re getting assessed by people on your character who don’t know you… Mental health-wise I probably haven’t had the year that a lot of people would expect… I am a victim of my own success.”
Mitchell Hooper revealed that his mental health problems have almost pushed him overboard before, as he was thinking about the worst outcome possible.
“The hardest bit of all of this is that I know that my family listens to this, and this is stuff that I’ve never spoken about before. But, I’ve sat by myself in the bathroom, looking up train schedules like when I could go to the train track,” Hooper states, further explaining “Like looking up a train schedule of when I could go lie on the tracks.”
This was not the only time when Mitchell Hooper was prepared to take his life, as he prepared everything once more, but luckily talked himself out of it at the last second.
“I had a rope, I drove into the woods and I was sitting there and thinking ‘am I going to do this or am I not’. Also learning about tying it correctly, and knowing how to do it all, and looking at the trees thinking which one should I choose. Eventually I said if I’m not there (the basketball game) it will raise concern.”
Mitchell Hooper states that the moment when he decided to not take his life and go to the basketball game was one of the most powerful feelings he has ever had. Furthermore, he compared his situation with people who attempted to take their life by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge, but changed their thoughts after surviving.
“You’ll never be sure that it is not what you want to do, as in the moment when you decide that you don’t do it. It is almost a classic thing. Every person who survived off of the Golden Gate Bridge has said ‘As soon as my feet left the bridge, I didn’t want to do it’”
However, Mitchell Hooper found that accomplishing stuff, whether that is in sport, business, or just helping people, helps him sort out his mind.
“The more fulfilled I am, the less likely it is to happen. And fulfillment is not happiness.”
Watch the full podcast here:
Related: A Look into World’s Strongest Man Mitchell Hooper’s Day
Mitchell Hooper is currently on a win streak, having won all three competitions in which he took part this year. However, he is focusing on other aspects of life apart from Strongman as well, as he has been doing some bodybuilding workouts, collaborating with CrossFit athletes, and taking on some fun challenges in the gym.
Published: 3 July, 2023 | 2:05 PM EDT
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
2023 District of Taiwan Pro Results and Scorecards
The 2023 District of Taiwan Pro took place on July 2 and featured competitors from the Men’s Physique and Bikini categories. This event was located in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, and served as a qualifier for the upcoming Olympia show.
Bodybuilders still have plenty of time to earn their qualifications for the biggest show of the year. The cut-off period to earn an invite is October 9. This year’s Mr. Olympia will take place from Nov. 2-5 in Orlando Florida’s Orange County Convention Center.
The top three finishers from 2022 Olympia in Men’s Physique and Bikini are automatically invited back to this year’s edition of the show. As for the rest of the competitors, they will need to battle each other to determine who deserves the right to stand on the sport’s most prominent stage.
2023 District of Taiwan Pro Winners
Men’s Physique: Yoon Sung Lee
Bikini: Areum Song
2023 District of Taiwan Pro Results
Men’s Physique
Heading into this weekend, fans took notice of Wang Hsiang who last finished third at the 2019 NPC Worldwide Asia Grand Prix Pro Qualifier. He faced Yoon Sung Lee, a bodybuilder who impressed in third at the 2023 Asia Grand Prix Men’s Physique Pro. In the end, Yoon Sung Lee was victorious. Lee’s career highlight was a second-place finish at the 2022 Korea Men’s Physique Pro.
Winner — Yoon Sung Lee
Second Place — Wang Hsiang
Third Place — Minsu Kim
Fourth Place — Tomohito Koike
Fifth Place — Farouq Ishimoto
Sixth Place — Tom McNarma
Seventh Place — Tak Lam Charly Chau
Eighth Place — Ajith Raja
Ninth Place — Wu Chi Hung
Tenth Place — Woo Young Seo
Bikini
Sara Choi was on a mission for gold this weekend. Her last contest came at the 2023 Orchid Pro in sixth place. Sara reached her peak performance at the 2023 Musclecontest Japan Pro, securing a remarkable second-place finish. Additionally, she has showcased her skills at the Olympia on two occasions, achieving a 15th place finish in 2020 and sharing the 16th spot in 2021. She battled against Areum Song, who previously competed at last year’s Asia Grand Prix Bikini Pro where she finished runner-up. Ultimately, the judges favored Areum Song’s look best and she took first place this weekend.
Winner — Areum Song
Second Place — Sara Choi
Third Place — Uyanga Bataa
Fourth Place — Heather Hei Man Kam
Fifth Place — Elizaveta Dementere
Sixth Place — Anita Chen
Seventh Place — Kristina Ivanova
Eighth Place — Yume Kurokowa
Ninth Place — Wang Machen
Tenth Place — Cecilia Liang
2023 District of Taiwan Scorecards
2023 District Of Taiwan Pro Men S Physique
2023 District Of Taiwan Pro Bikini
FitnessVolt congratulates the winners on their major victories!
Published: 3 July, 2023 | 9:52 AM EDT
Arnold Schwarzenegger Reveals ‘Unbelievable Turnaround’ in Acting after Bodybuilding: ‘My Liabilities Became Assets’
Legendary bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger is easily the most popular competitor in the history of the sport. The seven-time Mr. Olympia made a name for himself in the film industry too after hanging up his posing trunks. In a recent interview with the Academy Museum, Schwarzenegger revealed the ‘unbelievable turnaround’ he experienced in acting as a bodybuilder in the 80s.
Arnold Schwarzenegger dominated the IFBB Pro League Men’s Open division with his proportionate muscle mass, size, and symmetry. After placing second in his Mr. Olympia debut, Schwarzenegger returned with a vengeance to secure his maiden Sandow trophy at the 1970 Mr. Olympia. After his final win at the 1980 Mr. Olympia, Arnold walked away from the sport with seven titles.
Besides his contest schedule, Schwarzenegger’s popularity skyrocketed after his starring role in the docudrama Pumping Iron (1977). The movie is credited for shining a spotlight on bodybuilding which featured the charismatic Austrian center stage. Following an amazing career, Schwarzenegger explored his passion for acting. He applied the same work ethic he developed as an athlete and became the first certified superstar to have come out of bodybuilding.
Earlier this year, Schwarzenegger reflected on the evolution of his physique over time. The 75-year-old admitted he did not like his body now that he’s in his later years and shut the door on retiring from training anytime soon.
Additionally, ‘The Austrian Oak’ laid out four effective ways to build a custom routine that fits into any schedule. Then, he revealed the two-compound PED (performance-enhancing drug) protocol he utilized at the height of his powers. He listed Dianabol and testosterone as the substances of choice and issued a cautionary message warning against the risks of overusing steroids.
Arnold Schwarzenegger offered two intense circuit workout routines targeting the upper body weeks ago. He also provided insight into his secrets for staying consistent with training sessions and getting results. He followed up with a grip strength test and another circuit workout focused on enhancing longevity.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Details His Start in Bodybuilding & Turning the Sport’s Image Around in the US
via Instagram
In a recent YouTube video, Arnold Schwarzenegger detailed how he got his start in bodybuilding which ultimately led to his arrival in America.
“I realized very quickly as I got into it that bodybuilding was an American sport so I felt like I could be another Steve Reeves, who did the Hercules movie, and Reg Park,” said Schwarzenegger. “They became kind of my idols. I would read everything about those world champions in bodybuilding and follow everything they did. When I read Reg Park was working out five hours a day, lifting heavy weights, doing 50-60 sets of exercise and lifting 50 tons of weights a day, I’d do the same thing.”
Although he thought bodybuilding was a huge sport in the US, he soon found out it wasn’t.
“When I came to America I thought bodybuilding is very popular in America, it’s an American sport but in fact it was not. What I read in the magazines that it’s huge, guys getting into movies with bodybuilding, become businessman, successful, and making millions of dollars, none of it was really true. There were some that became successful and got into movies but the reality was that when I walked around in America, people always came up to me and said you must be a wrestler, a football player, lifter or something like that. They did not guess bodybuilding. I realized very quickly I had to put my know how about selling and marketing. I started hiring publicists. I was the first bodybuilder ever to hire a publicist.
“I got on all these shows and talked about what bodybuilding’s all about, to explain what it was. Because the press was writing stupid articles, not because they were vicious but they just didn’t know.”
Schwarzenegger Reveals ‘Unbelievable Turnaround’ in Acting after Bodybuilding
Arnold Schwarzenegger credited Pumping Iron as the turning point in his career.
“Without Pumping Iron, I wouldn’t have been able to be successful in this mission because it really kind of showed the personalities of bodybuilders, the camaraderie, psychology behind it, pose off and compete against each other.”
He shared how he was told by industry executives that he would not find success because of his thick German accent and massive build.
“When I started getting tired of bodybuilding competitions and won 13 championships, I wasn’t as excited anymore being on stage and beating all these guys. There must be something else that’s kind of very risky and we have to work hard, something new I could go after, and it was acting. It was going into movies. I remember agents, managers, studio executives always saying to me forget it Arnold. You’re a great bodybuilding champion, we’ll help you start a business or a gym or something but forget about acting. No one has ever made it with a German accent… if you want to be a star, a leading man, that’s impossible. Number two, your body is too big.”
In the end, both points of criticism were proven wrong as they became his biggest assets.
“A few years later, Ed Pressman comes to me and he says I bought the rights for you for Conan the Barbarian. He said finally when I saw Pumping Iron I said to myself that guy could do Conan. He has finally the body that no one has. He has the muscles, he could do Conan. All of a sudden, the director said if we didn’t have Schwarzenegger we would’ve had to build him. A few years ago, I heard it was impossible to get a job with a body like that and now all of a sudden this is the body we need for Conan. This liability was my asset.
“Then comes Jim Cameron for Terminator 1, he said to me you know why this movie’s so successful and why people bought in? It’s because you talk like a machine. Your German accent worked to such an advantage. You talk like a machine, like no one else does. All of a sudden, it’s an asset to have a German accent and talk like me. It’s an asset to have a body like me and all the schmucks in Hollywood were saying you would never get a job, never be a leading man. This was the unbelievable turnaround.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger gave fans a look into his current diet, which is mostly vegan two weeks ago. He revealed he consumes about 80 percent less meat than he used to and detailed his preferred sources for getting protein. He took a trip down memory lane by reminiscing about his famous photo in posing trunks in Munich, Germany a week later.
Schwarzenegger’s story of reaching unparalleled heights in various fields will inspire generations to come given the challenges he faced along the way.
RELATED: Lee Priest Says Remove ‘Useless’ Divisions & Backs Arnold Schwarzenegger Over Chris Bumstead
You can watch the full video below.
Published: 2 July, 2023 | 2:12 PM EDT
Rich Gaspari Shares Abs Exercise for Strength & Training Intensity Tip for Hypertrophy: ‘Total Annihilation’
Bodybuilding veteran Rich Gaspari is a strong proponent of using intensity to enhance his package in the gym. Although he moved on from professional competition years ago, his decades of experience have turned him into a revered figure in the community. In recent posts shared on Instagram, Gaspari shared an abs exercise for building strength and offered a tip on how to boost training intensity for hypertrophy.
Rich Gaspari first gained attention for his insane muscle mass, definition, and granite conditioning in the mid-1980s. He’s widely regarded as the first Men’s Open competitor to display striated glutes. Although he did not win Mr. Olympia, Gaspari was a perennial contender who participated in seven Mr. Olympia contests and took three silvers to eight-time champion Lee Haney. He also made history by becoming the inaugural champion of the Arnold Classic. Following a glittering career, he was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2004.
Gaspari opened up about the cost of bringing dry conditioning on stage earlier this year. He revealed he never took harsh diuretics and achieved the grainy conditioned look with consistent training and also credited genetics. Given the focus on being dry in contemporary competition, Gaspari bashed coaches for risking their athletes’ lives with diuretics.
Three months ago, Gaspari fired shots at the Women’s Bikini and Wellness athletes for the rampant use of PEDs (performance-enhancing drugs) in competition. He believes trainers push athletes to use heavy amounts of gear when it’s not necessary, making even regional shows hard to compete in as a natty.
Rich Gaspari / Instagram
Gaspari has kept up with training regularly post-retirement and often educated his audience on topics related to fitness. He detailed the anti-aging peptide stack he’s utilizing to improve his quality of life months ago.
The 60-year-old fired shots at modern bodybuilders for not giving much attention to their calf muscle development three months ago. He offered donkey calf raises as an effective exercise for enhancing muscle growth and definition in the group. Then, he provided some of his best tips to grow legs and techniques for increasing intensity on leg day.
Rich Gaspari shares abs exercises for building strength
In a recent Instagram post, Rich Gaspari shared leg raises, crunches, and twisting crunches as effective abs exercises for building strength.
“Training abs strengthens your core that can help you with training other parts of your body,” wrote Gaspari. “Leg raises are great to do for training lower Abs. I also do ab crunches to work overall abs along with twisting crunches to work intercostals. Rep range on abs for 15-50. Do Abs at least 2-3 times a week.”
Rich Gaspari is not a fan of the modern Men’s Open division. He voiced his disapproval of the evolution of the category, arguing a loss in the creative element three months ago. He feels bodybuilding is an art form instead of a sport and praised the Classic Physique division for keeping the art alive.
Gaspari issued a cautionary message against the use of trenbolone two months ago. While he conceded the steroid could result in impressive gains, he highlighted the adverse effects it may cause to the liver and cardiovascular system.
Gaspari’s tip on increasing training intensity for hypertrophy
Gaspari shared tips on how to get in the right mindset for intensity training and boost it further for hypertrophy.
“I still train with total intensity, train a muscle to failure. I don’t have my phone with me that I’m constantly texting or reading e-mails or looking at YouTube or doing whatever,” he said. “I’m going to the gym to train a certain body part I’m training. What I see right now is I see too many people distracted. And they are not making the gains. You really have to train with intensity.
“When I went to a gym training for competition, I went to the gym with the mindset I was going to battle, to war, to train a body part to total annihilation or total failure. If I didn’t do a certain weight or personal max in reps, drop set, giant set, if I didn’t finish that I imagined that my whole family is going to get killed and they were going to kill me. That’s really extreme but when you have that type of mindset going to the gym for total annihilation, you’re going to train a muscle much harder than you’ve ever trained before. That’s what it’s going to take for hypertrophy and muscle to grow.”
Rich Gaspari laid out a modified version of sumo squats to boost lower-body strength two months ago. He recommended using a platform to elevate feet for added range of motion to target glutes.
Gaspari extended his support for four-time Classic Physique Olympia champion Chris Bumstead for his dominant reign last month. He backed Bumstead to be competitive in the Open class if he packed on about 40 pounds of muscle mass.
His latest offerings are sure to help many fans take their fitness game to the next level with a strong core and intense mindset.
Published: 2 July, 2023 | 11:44 AM EDT
Chris Bumstead All Excited To Train In His Private Gym – “Dreams Do Come True”
Chris Bumstead is all set to take his game a notch up with his personalized gym that is nearing completion. In a recent back workout video posted on his YouTube channel, CBum gave a tour of this gym and spoke about the potential benefits of having one for yourself.
Bumstead is the foremost representative of Canadian bodybuilding. He has a global appeal among bodybuilding fans due to his insanely aesthetic physique. Since winning the Classic Physique Olympia title in 2019, CBum has honed his physique further and further to defend his top spot at 2020, 2021, and 2022 Olympia.
While most champions would attempt maximum title defenses in their capacity, CBum has a very clear plan of action. He intends to win only a couple of more Classic Physique Olympia titles and move on from competing. A few other trophies like the prestigious Arnold Classic Physique would have looked good on the champion’s shelf. However, collecting Olympia trophies is the only competitive goal for the 28-year-old.
CBum is currently in the middle of his off-season and making gains before the start of his 2023 Olympia prep. Although he will be a massive favorite heading into the show, CBum will not leave any stone unturned.
Apart from his bodybuilding schedule, Bumstead is working on his new gym. He showed the progress they have made so far before the workout and gave a tour of the gym in making. So without a second’s delay, let’s see how Bumstead is achieving back growth this off-season.
Chris Bumstead shows his personal gym
At the beginning of the video, Chris Bumstead talked about the progress of his personal gym which is being built at the moment. He gave a brief tour of the place and stated that a personal space would really help him focus on training and content creation.
“Everyone has the dream to have their own gym. I didn’t think I would get one because I didn’t think I would ever want to run a gym… Coz I knew a lot of hell went into it and you don’t make a lot of money for it.”
He further stated:
“But I am super grateful right now to be in the opportunity to be able to build it for myself and literally, just like, use it for content and prepping for Olympia. So I think this is going to be something that, really like, puts me on a straight focus drive this year at the Olympia.”
Bumstead can do without the company of a lot of people when he is training. Additionally, he feels a lot more comfortable making videos and talking into a camera when there aren’t many people around. So he expects the training as well as the YouTube content to be far better when his gym becomes operational in a few weeks’ time.
“Super pumped, excited… Dreams do come true. There’s a lot of things I’ve wanted in my life but gym is one of those things where you come her, shut off, put everything away and just kill yourself in the gym,” CBum concluded.
A place customized to meet every personal requirement will definitely add more quality to Bumstead’s training sessions. So the task of dethroning the champ might be a little more difficult for the opponents as Bumstead intends to prep for the 2023 Olympia in his new personal gym. After showing the gym around, Chris Bumstead proceeded to perform the off-season back workout at the local gym.
CBum goes through a back workout
Lat Pulldown
CBum’s workout started with this lat-focused vertical pulling movement. This compound exercise primarily works the latissimus dorsi muscles in the back. It helps build a wide back and imparts that much desired ‘tapering down into the waist’ look as a result.
Bumstead used extremely heavy weights in the first set and tried to control the negative/eccentric phase of the rep as much as he could. He reduced the weight for the second set and paused at the bottom of the first five reps so as to get a good squeeze.
Another benefit of this method was that it helped him make the second set equally difficult in spite of using lighter weights. The 28-year-old felt a good pump in the muscles after ripping both sets and moved on to the second exercise.
Incline Dumbbell Rows
Bumstead next took to this free-weight horizontal pulling exercise. Incline dumbbell rows work all the major pulling muscles in the upper body like latissimus dorsi, teres major, teres minor, trapezius, and biceps brachii. Performing rows on an incline bench uses gravity to maintain focus on back muscles.
Since the person is in an inclined position with chest pressed against the bench, it is not possible to rely on momentum or sway back and forth to pull the weights when the reps get difficult. As a result, only back muscles have to be utilized to lift weights without any assistance.
CBum cranked out a few good sets of incline dumbbell rows and took to another highly effective rowing movement next.
T-Bar Rows
In a world where you were forced to incorporate only one rowing exercise in your training routine, T-bar rows would be your best bet. This compound movement is an effective back builder that enables growth in terms of muscle and strength gain as well as density.
Chris Bumstead warmed up with a couple of sets first. He then got a few heavy sets of T-bar rows under the belt and moved on to the next exercise.
Seated Rows
The Classic Physique Olympia champion took to one more rowing exercise and performed seated rows. He did the exercise on a Prime plate-loaded rows machine to add more stimulus to the back muscles. Seated rows work almost all the muscles in the middle back region and also help with improving upper body posture.
Bumstead demolished some good sets of seated rows and took to a lat pulldown variation next.
Reverse Grip Lat Pulldown
Bumstead took the next stop at the Hammer Strength plate-loaded machine and performed reverse grip lat pulldown. The reverse grip targets more of the lower lats as the upper arms are closer to the body. Additionally, this variation also engages the biceps due to a reverse grip and enables pulling heavier weights in comparison to the traditional lat pulldowns.
CBum performed this exercise maintaining a good tempo and jumped into a cable machine exercise next.
Superset – Banded Cable Lat Pullovers and Barbell Curls
Bumstead finished the back workout with this superset. He mentioned that he is working on improving mobility these days and also explained the reason for performing reverse grip lat pulldown instead of regular grip for the previous exercise.
“Underhand grip pulldown machine because sometimes the pulldown bar breaks my wrist. I am working on mobility. So I am doing 10 sets of superset – biceps curls and lat pullovers. Just going back and forth 10 reps ish… until I die. So hopefully getting a hundred reps of each and then that’s it,” CBum stated.
After pushing through all the sets within this superset in rapid succession and minimal rest periods, Chris Bumstead called it a day in the gym.
Overall, the workout included:
Chris Bumstead is all set to start the competition prep for the 2023 Olympia soon. Training in his personal gym will definitely help him maintain focus and add more wrinkles to the game. If he stays healthy and continues to increase the training intensity, we will certainly see him wear the Classic Physique Olympia crown for the fifth time.
You can watch the full workout video here, courtesy of Chris Bumstead’s personal YouTube channel:
Published: 2 July, 2023 | 9:05 AM EDT
2023 Orlando Pro Results and Scorecards
The 2023 Orlando Pro delivered an exciting show and took place on July 1. Men’s Open bodybuilders gathered in Orlando, Florida for a chance to guarantee passage to the upcoming Mr. Olympia competition.
For this year’s most prestigious contest, athletes have until October 9 to secure their respective invites. The 2023 Mr. Olympia show will return to Orlando, Florida from Nov. 2-5 inside the Orange County Convention Center.
Qualifying has been more difficult this year because there are fewer months to earn an invite than in 2022. In addition, the point system has been removed so bodybuilders must win a pro show to step on the big stage.
Heading into this weekend, all eyes were on the defending champion Hassan Mostafa, who took gold at this event last year. Tonight was extra important for Hassan as he narrowly missed receiving his Olympia invite to Iain Valliere back at the 2023 Toronto Pro Supershow. Meanwhile, fans also expected a solid performance from veteran Phil Clahar, who continues to defy time with improvements season-to-season.
In the end, Phil Clahar emerged victorious this weekend in Orlando and will have the opportunity to face the reigning Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan. ‘The Persian Wolf’ asserted himself at the top of the category last year after dispatching contenders Derek Lunsford and Nick Walker in the finals.
2023 Orlando Pro Winner
Men’s Open: Phil Clahar
2023 Orlando Pro Results
Men’s Open
During prejudging and the finals, fans and the judges acknowledged it was a two-man battle between the reigning champion Hassan Mostafa and Phil Clahar. Clahar brought great conditioning which helped him shine during some of the comparisons. Many fans saw the contest close as Mostafa once again brought an impressive package to the stage.
Clahar has his sights set on the upcoming Masters Olympia contest in Romania on Aug. 26-27, 2023. Although he hasn’t clinched a victory in an Open show since turning pro in 2018, he has consistently been a strong contender in several competitions. In fact, he secured the second overall position at the 2021 Tampa Pro, finishing just behind Valliere.
Clahar’s most recent appearance was at the 2022 Boston Pro, where he achieved a respectable sixth place.
Winner — Phil Clahar
Second Place — Hassan Mostafa
Third Place — Stan de Longeaux
Fourth Place — Emmanuel Alvarez
Fifth Place — Chris Didomenico
Sixth Place — Jason Lowe
Seventh Place — Mohammad Alnsoor
Eighth Place — Ray Short
Ninth Place — Matt Kouba
Tenth Place — Erik Ramirez
2023 Orlando Pro Scorecards
2023 Orlando Pro Results Men S Open
FitnessVolt congratulates the winner on the big victory!
Published: 1 July, 2023 | 9:14 PM EDT