Tag: nEWS
WATCH: Natural Bodybuilder Hip Thrusts 3x Her Weight
Natural bodybuilder hip thrusts 3x her weight for reps.
The final moments of 2021 are underway, and many are spending it unapologetically indulging in food and drinks while lounging around on a La-Z-Boy recliner. But some determined individuals are starting their New Year goals early. Especially natural bodybuilding competitors prepping for 2022 natural bodybuilding shows – including a particular one who hip thrusts 3x her weight!
A perfect specimen of this is April Young, a Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA) athlete. She’s got big plans in 2022, including earning her pro bikini card at the International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA) Battle for Cancer competition in late May of 2022.
On Instagram (IG), her personal trainer shared a video of her hip thrusting weight for reps 3x her weight – 315 lbs! @harrisbrotherstraining said,
“April is 5 months out from the Inba Battle Against Cancer May 28th!! She’s been putting in that work this off-season and is now up to hip thrusting 3 times her body weight for reps!! (315lbs)
Stay tuned as she preps to rock that stage and claim that Pnba Bikini Pro Card!”
You can see the full IG clip below:
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CXy8ZgeJq89/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
You can look at the initial 2022 INBA/PNBA schedule here.
Natural Bodybuilding Bikini Divisions
In natural bodybuilding, the INBA/PNBA has a few Bikini divisions – Bikini Divas, Bikini Mamas, and Bikini Angels. Below is a breakdown of their similarities and differences.
Bikini Divas
Bikini Divas judges tests for a shapely and toned body without overdoing it with muscle mass. Top contenders in this division will have less muscle mass than the Woman’s Bodybuilding category. Presentation and sex appeal are essential criteria as well.
Bikini Mamas
The Bikini Mamas division is looking for the same thing as the Bikini Divas division. However, there’s a catch. As the name suggests, these women are also moms! To compete in this division, athletes must have given birth within the last 1-3 years.
Bikini Angels
This division is open to fitness, bikini, and figure girls with a slight twist: each athlete wears angel wings as part of their attire. Each contestant must display poise and confidence. Your presentation and personality are critical in this class.
We’re not entirely sure which bikini division April Young is competing in this May for the chance to earn her bikini pro card. However, we can assume she may attempt the Bikini Mamas division. According to the IG hashtag – #fitmom – in the IG post above, Young’s a mom. If she wins, she’ll receiver her pro card and have the opportunity to compete at Natural Olympia professionally.
Natural Olympia
Competitors in the INBA/PNBA league compete at each natural bodybuilding competition for a chance of competing at Natural Olympia – The Pinnacle of Natural Bodybuilding. The best drug-testing laboratory tests these natural athletes – World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The INBA/PNBA makes sure to drug test their athletes both in-season and off-season. Athletes who fail a drug test at any time will be banned from competing and stripped of their title.
Generation Iron would like to wish April Young good luck in 2022!
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Eddie Hall vs. Hafthor Bjornsson: Who Has Had The Most Significant Transformation In 2021?
Eddie Hall and Hafthor Bjornsson have both gone through serious physique transformations.
Hafthor Bjornsson and Eddie Hall have a long history that could finally come to a head in 2022. Both athletes made a name for themselves as powerlifters and saw plenty of each other during their peak. Now, Hall and Bjornsson have made the transition to boxing but have been unable to face each other. That could change in 2022 if both fighters remain healthy.
This was the problem in September. The two were set to meet but Hall suffered a triceps injury that forced him to back out. Now, the two sides are negotiating to fight sometime early next year.
This is a feud that has been present for years. Hall won the 2017 World’s Strongest Man competition with Bjornsson finishing second. The very next year, after three runner-up finishes, Bjornsson was able to take the title from Hall. In 2016, Hall became the first person ever to deadlift 500kg (1,102lb). None other than Hafthor Bjornsson topped this world record by a single kilogram in 2020.
To go from strongman rivals to boxing rivals was an easy transition. The overall physique transformations that both athletes have gone through took a bit more work. They are eye-opening and impressive in their own ways. The question is — who has gone through the better transformation in 2021?
Eddie Hall
Strongman athletes are a different breed. The strength they display is other worldly and this is why they must keep on the weight and take in a hefty amount of calories. For Eddie Hall, his meals would total around 12,000 calories when he was lifting competitively.
Hall admits to eating many times throughout the day and even adding some extra at night to make the calorie intake necessary to obtain strength. This is the biggest difference since transitioning to boxing. Hall now consumes around 6,000 calories, which is half of what he used to do. This includes anywhere from five or more protein shakes per day.
Hall has lost nearly 100 pounds since focusing on his boxing career. His tricep injury did not help but he quickly returned to training with his other arm. Hall begins his day with a mile and a half, run or walk, in the morning before he hits the ring for training. His overall passion for boxing and dedication to get in the ring has been incredible and makes for an exciting year in 2022.
Unlike Bjornsson, Eddie Hall has not stepped in the ring just yet. He has not appeared in any exhibition bouts and does not plan to at the moment. His September fight with Bjornsson was set to be the first of his career. It still will be but just a few months later. The work and overall transformation that Hall has made is as impressive as it gets.
Hafthor Bjornsson
Hafthor Bjornsson is called “The Mountain” and for good reason. He is a former World’s Strongest Man champion who also has three Arnold Strongman Classic victories. Bjornsson even appeared on “Game Of Thrones” starring as big beast because of his incredible size. Since moving to the boxing ring, Bjornsson has slimmed down significantly and is as shredded as ever.
Bjornsson’s most recent fight came against Devon Larratt, who stepped in for Hall following his injury. The 6-foot-9 athlete entered the fight around 328 pounds. This was significantly less than the 450-pound mark that Bjornsson would remain at when lifting competitively.
While lifting, Bjornsson would eat up to seven meals a day that totaled around 10,000 calories. Since making the transition to boxing, Bjornsson has cut down to about 3,000 calories and four or five meals. Training has also changed as he was lifting heavy for fewer reps leading up to a competition. In the offseason, Bjornsson would add more reps to his sets.
Now, Hafthor Bjornsson has been focusing on boxing technique and endurance. This is necessary to last in the ring for the duration of a fight. This includes little to no weight training. Bjornsson focuses on his work in the ring while still performing push-ups and sit-ups.
Hafthor Bjornsson completed two exhibition fights against Steven Ward and Simon Vallily before taking on Larratt in his first professional fight. Bjornsson is now 1-0 in his career with his next fight looking like it will be against Hall in 2022.
Who is the winner?
So who has had the best transformation in 2021?
Both Eddie Hall and Hafthor Bjornsson have made incredible progress and looking shredded in preparation for their boxing match. What we do know is that both fighters will be ready after months of tension building up.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
YouTubers Jujimufu And Joey Szatmary Complete 43 Sets Of Box Squats
Jujimufu and Joey Szatmary went through a legendary squat session.
Jon ‘Jujimufu’ Call and Joey Szatmary are fitness YouTubers with huge followings. Recently, the duo joined forces to recreate a legendary squat session. They competed 43 sets of box squats at the EliteFTS training equipment headquarters in London.
The YouTube sensations began the session with the intention of battling like Chuck Vogelpohl and Dave Tate. The two Ogot together for a squat session that was supposed to feature eight sets of two reps with 405 pounds. Once those sets were complete, Tate wanted to be the last one standing and decided to add some more sets. Nearly an hour later, the two completed 40 sets of box squats before Vogelpohl ended up being the winner.
Tate was present in London for this recent squat session, along with Sam Brown. The two began with eight sets of two reps with 330 pounds. There was little rest between sets as Call and Szatmary started their sets after the other finished.
Jujimufu and Joey Szatmary completed 30 sets with this weight before some more was added. Tate added 50 pounds for the final 13 sets. It took 43 sets for Call to step back and declare Szatmary, who was completing as many as six reps, the winner. The full video was posted to Jujimufu’s YouTube page.
Jon ‘Jujimufu’ Call has become a fitness freak. He consistently shows off his latest eye-opening feats for his 1.7 million followers on Instagram. This includes full splits with his feet on two chairs while performing a shoulder press with a barbell. It is no surprise to see him take on a squat session of this magnitude.
Chuck Vogelpohl was the winner of the original squat session. He is a powerlifting legend who is often forgotten about. He competed in weight classes that spanned from 90kg to 125kg. He was an extremely intense powerlifter during his career, which was almost two decades long. Vogelpohl was victorious in many events but it all culminated during the 2006 WPO World Finals. During his career, Vogelpohl squatted 1,175 pounds and deadlifted 835 pounds.
The duo of Jujimufu and Joey Szatmary have completed many feats of strength in their careers and there will be plenty more coming. This was an incredible competition that must be seen.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Patrick Moore: You Will Not Make Money In Bodybuilding If You Avoid This Vital Tactic
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Patrick Moore explains how the “eat, sleep, train” mentality is not enough to earn money in bodybuilding. Marketability is now vital.
Patrick Moore is not simply a pro bodybuilder. He’s a pro bodybuilder that started over from one sport to the next. Originally a boxer, he eventually restarted from the ground up in competitive bodybuilding. Now he’s a highlight athlete with much promise to become a legendary champion.
Seeking athletic success is hard from the start, doing it twice by starting over in a different sport is even harder. That’s why we asked Moore to share his advice on how to be successful starting out in bodybuilding. In our latest GI exclusive, Patrick Moore explains that excelling at building muscle and shred is not enough. It is now necessary to sell yourself, and sell yourself well, as a marketable personality.
There is no doubt that the internet age has changed bodybuilding significantly. Not only has it changed the way fans interact with the sport and its athletes. It’s also completely revolutionized how sponsorships work. Gone are the days of the Weider contract. This is something that many bodybuilders and industry professionals have spoken about over the past decade. Patrick Moore believes it hasn’t been stated enough. He cannot express just how important it is to become marketable as a personality in order to earn financial success in bodybuilding.
During our conversation with Patrick Moore, he makes one thing very clear. Essentially, being good at just bodybuilding is no longer enough to succeed financially in the sport. Only a select few of competitions award high level prize money. And even then, statistically your odds of being that champion to win the $400,000 Olympia prize money is very slim. It’s not something that can be relied on.
The internet era and social media has put the tools directly in the athlete’s hands now. Massive multi-year contracts don’t get offered the same way anymore. Now, it’s just as vital to have an online presence as it is to win bodybuilding shows. This doesn’t mean you have to be a schmoozing online influencer. But it does mean you need to find a way to market your personality into engagement online.
Of course, marketability is not a replacement for passion and hard work in the sport. But it just might be a more vital aspect of being a pro bodybuilder than most people realize going into the sport.
“The first thing you have to do is love the sport or the training,” Patrick Moore states in our interview. He continues:
“Because anything that comes subsequently from that is going to be based off of your placing at shows. The amount of attention you are able to generate online. You have to be an athlete. You have to be a representative of the sport. And you have to marketable. And I say that because marketability is one thing I think a lot of people do not realize has to be present in this day and age.”
Patrick Moore continues to express that the old school days of only focusing on training and dieting are gone.
“You can’t just be the guy who goes into the gym with your hoodie on and train and then leave out and then think that you’re going to make money. It just doesn’t happen like that. Because you have to think what generates ticket sales, merchandise sales, whatever it is – you have to be a hard worker. So I would tell new guys coming up. don’t expect the sponsorships, don’t expect anything… you have brands that monitor. They’ll watch how you interact online so if they see that you get a lot of engagement, they may then be inclined to extend your sponsorship. So where guys will say I’m not going to do online stuff because that’s stupid and it’s a waste of time. Okay, well you’re just leaving an opportunity on the table for an athlete who is willing to do that… you can’t just eat, sleep, and train. That’s a dream. That’s not going to happen. Not if you want to be successful.”
Ultimately, there are various paths to success. No one single mold will be the mandatory subset needed to 100% succeed. But it’s also foolish to believe that investing time and energy into these strategies is a waste of time. A person passionate about bodybuilding should be willing to do whatever it takes to become successful and a champion.
To leave an entire option on the table, as Patrick Moore puts it, is lowering your odds. If bodybuilding is your life – even if you hate social media – you might have to make that kind of sacrifice and learn to engage with these tools. Otherwise, you’ll be significantly cutting your chances short in the modern playing field.
You can watch Patrick Moore go into full detail on his experiences building his brand in bodybuilding and his vital tips in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above.
WATCH: Russell Orhii Completes PR Bench Press Of 446 Pounds
Russell Orhii continues to put up massive numbers in the gym.
Russell Orhii continues to be a powerlifter that is on the rise. He has put up some memorable performances in competition and is not shy about showing some massive lifts in social media. Recently, Orhii took to Instagram to show off another personal record feat of strength.
A personal record is a milestone for powerlifters as they continue to build strength in training sessions. For Orhii, this came in the form of a 446-pound bench press on Tuesday. Orhii lowers the weight to his chest, pauses quickly, then moves the weight back up. Orhii then jumps to his feet after his latest accomplishment.
“? BENCH PR ?
446lbs/202.5kg X 1
I hit a PR every time I come back from vacation ?
Shout out to the brodies for providing the vibes for todays session”
Russell Orhii spent some time in Hawaii enjoying vacation. This was some time off to rest and recover. It seemed to work for the powerlifter. Orhii even commented in his caption on how he always hits personal records after a vacation. This is becoming a theme for Orhii but he is no stranger to world records either.
Orhii put on a show during the 2021 IPF Powerlifting Championships. He set two world records in the 83kg division and there could be more to fall in 2022. It began with a 320.5kg (706.7lb) squat, which was a world record. He also set a new record with a total of 841kg (1,854.3lb). This includes a 187.5kg (413.4lb) bench press and 333kg (734.2lb) deadlift.
The squat record did not last long as Orhii beat his own mark at the 2021 USAPL Nationals. He completed a 323kg (712lb) squat to set a new record. This is a lift that could continue to improve in upcoming weeks.
If this training session is any indication, Orhii is looking to set some more records. This bench press was over 30 pounds heavier than that at the IPF Powerlifting Championships. Also, Orhii recently set a new personal record with a 733-pound squat. This is much heavier than his current IPF world record.
There is no doubt that Russell Orhii has shown interest in breaking some new personal marks. When comparing his recent work in the gym to that in competition, it could be a big year for the powerlifter in 2022. It will be a must-see event when Orhii takes the stage in competition once again.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Why WADA is the Superior Drug Test for Natural Bodybuilding
WADA drug testing is superior to other drug testing protocols.
Most athletes have a drug testing procedure they must follow. However, bodybuilding is a sport that drug testing is not a priority in many leagues—for example, the International Federation of BodyBuilding and Fitness (IFBB). Still, most federations don’t condone doping. However, they don’t go about testing for it either.
Natural bodybuilding is a different story, though. Competitors in natural bodybuilding are required to a drug test. That’s what makes the sport “natural,” after all. With that being said, not all natural bodybuilding leagues use the same drug-testing laboratory. However, one natural bodybuilding league utilizes the best drug testing equipment available – World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). And this league is the largest natural bodybuilding league in the industry – the International Natural Bodybuilding Association/Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA).
WADA is Superior
There are many different types of drug testing in the sport of natural bodybuilding, but other natural bodybuilding leagues don’t use WADA. For example, the United States Bodybuilding Federation (USBF) uses a different metric. The INBA/PNBA stated, “These other so-called natural federations/organizations are doing the athletes and the industry a huge disservice by misleading athletes into believing they are being tested based on their own protocols. Polygraph, Redwood Toxicology, and Quest Diagnostics in no way have the capability to do so.”
The problem with such tests – polygraph, Redwood Toxicology, Quest Diagnostics, etc. – is that many PEDs go undetected. The sad part is that some athletes claim to be completely unaware that the substances they’re using are banned from natural bodybuilding. Of course, this gives athletes an unfair advantage in the sport, even if it’s unintentional. For example, Jill Kolivoski, the professional Women’s Bodybuilding champ at 2021 Natural Olympia, recently failed a drug test administered at Natural Olympia.
However, the substance that caused her to fail the drug test – Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) – passed the USBF drug testing procedure. Furthermore, this substance was in a natural herbal supplement she was using to lower her cortisol, proving the accuracy of the lab INBA/PNBA uses compared to other natural bodybuilding leagues.
Natural Bodybuilding and Testing
To compete in natural bodybuilding, you must be natural and abstain from steroids and PEDs. The INBA/PNBA league especially has its athletes tested through the WADA. They have a list of banned substances all athletes are prohibited from using unless they want to be stripped from their prize money, title and banned from competing.
Not only is WADA used by the most reputable natural athletes and most respected natural bodybuilding league, but it’s also the testing other professional athletes’ use, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
INBA/PNBA Disparity from Other Natural Bodybuilding Leagues
According to the INBA/PNBA commission, “Natural organizations claim to drug test, and some use a 10-15min polygraph test and or substandard testing labs (employment testing labs) but where is the transparency when an athlete does fail a test?” The INBA/PNBA also claims that other leagues failed drug tests go under the radar. However, the INBA/PNBA league makes the athlete public information via the Hall of Shame. The INBA/PNBA questions why other “natural” bodybuilding leagues don’t follow suit. Instead of dodging the truth.
Below is a clip from Generation Iron: Natty 4 Life, detailing the WADA protocols INBA/PNBA athletes undergo.
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WADA is the superior drug testing mechanism for natural bodybuilding athletes. INBA/PNBA set the bar high for drug testing. Still, hopefully, other natural bodybuilding leagues will follow in their footsteps. If they want the same respect and recognition, they’ll have no other choice.
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Logan Paul Claims Floyd Mayweather Has Not Paid Him For Fight
Logan Paul says he is owed money from Floyd Mayweather.
Logan Paul and Floyd Mayweather met for an exhibition fight back in June. There was no winner, little excitement, and it was a downright laughable event. What they did have was plenty of viewers and plenty of money made. Well, for one side. Paul has claimed that Mayweather has still not paid him for their fight over six months later.
Both Paul and Mayweather have shown a mutual respect for one another recently but that seems to be ending. Logan Paul, who has become a sensation in boxing along with his brother Jake Paul, made the transition from YouTube to boxing. Both Paul brothers are still active on social media and this is where Paul called out Mayweather.
“Pay me my money u f***ing corny weasel of a human @floydmayweather,” Paul wrote in a caption on an Instagram story.
It is hard to know if Logan Paul is being serious or if this is just another trolling on social media. This is something that the Paul brothers have become known for. Paul has made plenty of money during his career but if true, the amount of money that Mayweather is withholding could be large.
The Paul vs. Mayweather exhibition took place on pay-per-view and was a success. There were over one million buys on Showtime. This is something that Mayweather said he will not do again — even after earning a huge payday. The boxer claims he earned $100 million for the appearance.
“I’m the only person that can do a fake fight and get 100 M’s. I could do legalized sparring and get 100 M’s,” Floyd Mayweather said while exiting a press conference. “Am I the best bank robber? Because I don’t know nobody in sports that’s my age and can still stick ‘em up like that.”
Known as ‘Money’ Mayweather, Floyd has a perfect 50-0 record in his boxing career. Mayweather is a controversial fighter for his style, which is the opposite of a heavyweight fighter. Mayweather has 27 knockout victories in his career and was always content dancing around the ring using strategy. This is a method that brought praise from some and criticism from others.
As for Logan Paul, began boxing in 2018 when he took on fellow YouTuber ‘KSI.’ This match ended in a draw before Paul lost their rematch by split decision. Jake Paul has recently moved to 5-0 after a knockout victory over Tyron Woodley.
The Paul brothers have become big names in boxing, mostly because of their antics outside the ring. It was questionable why Mayweather even agreed to this fight in the first place but he allegedly got a massive payday out of it. The same cannot be said about Logan Paul at the moment.
All of the details of this storyline have not been released but we do know there is trolling going on by Paul. It will be interesting to see if Floyd Mayweather is actually holding money and if he will pay up.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
VIDEO: Oleksii Novikov Begins Training For 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic
Oleksii Novikov is training for the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic in a big way.
Oleksii Novikov is one of the top strongman competitions in the world so it was not surprising to see him receive an invitation to the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic. Now that the holidays are over, the 2020 World’s Strongest Man is back in the gym training for his next event.
Novikov shared a video on his YouTube channel detailing his first day back in preparation. The Ukrainian strongman podiumed in each event he participated in following the 2021 World’s Strongest Man competition. He is one of 10 strongmen who received invitation to the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic and this means he will have to train harder than ever.
Oleksii Novikov took to his garage-style gym to get in a huge workout. It began on the squat rack where Novikov began with 440-pound lifts and wanted to increase to 551 pounds. No official list has been released on which events will be at the Arnold Strongman Classic but Novikov believes that squats will be there. Novikov’s personal record squat is 771.6 pounds.
Again, the official list has not been revealed but Novikov spoke further on which events he expects to see there. He listed max squat, timber carry (400kg, 881.9lb), heavy dumbbell for reps (124kg, 273.4lb), max log lift, and stone to shoulder (186kg, 410.1lb).
After his squats, Oleksii Novikov began log lifts. He pulled out gym mats and began with his lifts. He began with 176.4-pound lifts with the intention of bumping it up to 286.6 pounds. Novikov expressed that this was one of his weaknesses and that he has never locked out 440.1 pounds. This is his goal heading into 2022. Novikov took some time off for the holiday and it seemed to pay off. He showed great form and fluidity when performing log lifts. He was able to lock out three reps of 319.7 pounds on his second-to-last set followed by five reps on his last set.
The roster for the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic is elite. Novikov is one of three World’s Strongest Man winners, along with Tom Stoltman and Martins Licis. The 2021 Europe World’s Strongest Man Luke Stoltman will be present along with two-time WSM runner-up Mateusz Kieliszkowski.
Oleksii Novikov will enter the competition as one of the favorites to win as his strength seems to be on par. . There is still plenty of time to bump some numbers up and that is what Novikov plans to do in the upcoming weeks.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Cedric McMillan Reveals New Details On His Near-Death Experience & Heart Issues
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Cedric McMillan opens up with new details on his heart issues, developing pneumonia, long COVID, and being put on life support.
Earlier in November, Cedric McMillan performed a guest posing and also provided an update on his rocky bodybuilding season. It turned out, he revealed, that he was dealing with breathing and heart issues likely caused by contracting COVID-19 in the previous year. With cases rising across the world at a rapid pace due to Omicron, Generation Iron decided to sit down with McMillan and talk in further detail about his experience with the virus and his near death experience in the hospital. In our latest GI Exclusive, Cedric McMillan goes into full detail about contracting COVID-19, developing pneumonia, and being put on life support.
For a short period of time in 2021, fans were confused as to what was happening with Cedric McMillan. After much delay he was set to compete at the Legion Sports Fest Pro 2021, only for him to disappear after the pre-judging and not show up at the finals. There was silence and mystery for a few weeks. Then suddenly McMillan reappeared during a guest posing and revealed a series of medical issues that threw off his bodybuilding season.
It turned out that Cedric McMillan had developed COVID-19 in 2020 right after the Arnold Classic. He recovered. He was fine. But many months later he started having trouble breathing. This breathing issue eventually took him to the hospital – where he found out he had pneumonia. Shortly after he found himself on life support in the hospital. “I was almost dead.” He stated during his guest posing speech.
Now with more time to recover and reflect on the entire experience, Generation Iron Brasil’s Aretha Luz at down with Cedric McMillan to get an in-depth account of the entire experience. McMillan opened up with complete honesty about the slow building of events that eventually left him intubated and on life support.
Cedric McMillan was noticing shortness of breath for quite some time. As early as May or July of 2021. But McMillan attributed this to his massive size. He was over 300 pounds and as any pro bodybuilder would attest – it puts some strain on cardio and breathing. But then the symptoms didn’t subside. For weeks and weeks his breathing became worse. Eventually he knew that he had to seek medical advice. Upon going to the doctors, it was discovered his heart rate was dangerously low. He was rushed to the hospital.
It was at this point that the doctors drew a connection between his current medical issues and COVID-19. They asked McMillan if he had COVID-19. Cedric McMillan confirmed that much earlier in 2020 he had gotten the virus. But was fine after recovering. The doctors informed him he now has pneumonia. And while it can’t be confirmed with 100% accuracy, it was likely that his lung were very slowly building up with fluid for months after having the virus.
After spending a few days in the hospital and still struggling to breath, Cedric McMillan grew impatient. He wanted to leave. He felt that he was not in immediate life or death danger. He jokes that he stood up and pulled off the wires from his body, “like a movie.” The doctors tried to stop him. Before he knew it. He was sedated and woke up three days later.
It turns out shortly after being sedated, his condition grew worse. He was put on a ventilator and life support. The hospital called his family as they were concerned that there was a likely chance that Cedric McMillan would die. Luckily, this was not the case
Cedric McMillan is now recovered. After leaving the hospital, he took some time to recoup, and after some false starts, he finally felt healthy enough to step back on stage. This was when he decided to guest pose at the Armed Forces Nationals 2021.
Cedric McMillan realized that he needed time to recover after such an ordeal. Now that he’s taken that time, he feels prepared to compete at the Arnold Classic 2022 in March and then shortly after compete in the Arnold Classic South America. McMillan’s plans were derailed in 2021. But the pro bodybuilder has always been a focused competitor hungry for victory. Perhaps 2022 will be a true comeback for the much hyped athlete.
You can watch Cedric McMillan go into full detail about his entire near-death experience in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above.
Dexter Jackson Looks Lean, Downsized in Recent Post Alongside Kevin Levrone
Dexter Jackson and Kevin Levrone look downsized in recent photo.
Dexter Jackson looks lean and downsized in recent post alongside fellow bodybuilding legend Kevin Levrone. The photo of the two was taken at the 2021 Olympia and both men looked fit and slimmed down.
The time comes for every professional athlete when they have to ask themselves a fundamental question. Can they still compete at the highest levels of their sport? Is it time to hang things up and move on to something else? It can be a truly daunting task for someone who has spent years honing their craft in order to showcase their skill, ability, and in terms of bodybuilding, a competitor’s training physique.
Dexter Jackson likely had the very same internal dialogue. Having stood atop the bodybuilding world, becoming winningest bodybuilder of all time, Jackson had nothing else to prove when he decided to hang it up. The 2020 Olympia was his final show where he got a standing ovation from the crowd.
Since last December Dexter Jackson has been enjoying his retirement. But while for some that means stopping training and enjoying all manner of delicious delights, bodybuilding has proven to be a way of life for Jackson.
Dexter Jackson and Kevin Levrone Looking Lean
Recently Dexter Jackson took to Instagram offering up a photo of himself with fellow bodybuilding legend Kevin Levrone. In the photo Jackson is looking far smaller than he did when he was still competitively active.
#tbt #throwbackthursday to the Olympia. Chillin with one of my biggest inspiration big bro @kevinlevrone We looking good retired big bro! ??????
But despite being downsized, Dexter Jackson is still looking pretty lean. His recent training with Hide Yamagishi and Iris Kyle that Jackson is still in great condition.
I’ve known @hideyamagishi and @iriskyle 20 plus years and it’s crazy we’ve never trained together. Well @hideyamagishi and I got a quick session in while Iris sat around talking shit and bragging how many Olympia titles she won. ??? All good that’s family and talking trash is what we do when we are together. ?? Y’all be sure to check out one of the dopest gyms in Vegas.. Iris & Hide’s @powerhousegymlasvegas is ????. Love you guys!!
What do you think of Dexter Jackson and his current physique?
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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.