He enjoyed the work, but he relied upon amphetamines to meet deadlines, on occasion staying awake for two or three days straight. Heres what Bill said about Ray and Mike; Mike and Ray Mentzer used to write to me when they were young kids back in Pennsylvania. By the 45th minute mark, he was completely exhausted and his muscles were ready for recovery. WebThe cause of Mike Mentzer's death was not disclosed, pending a coroner's investigation. ", Two days before the 1980 Mr. Olympia being staged in Sydney, Australia, Mike had that same "death's door feeling," which again confined him to bed for a whole day. Ray Mentzer died at age 92 years old on June 21, 1995. In the last 15 years, roughly one in five wrestler deaths were connected to recreational drug overdose. On Saturday June 9, 2001 after a long day he wrapped filming of the DVD he so wanted to finish. Rest was crucial. Ray Mentzer (August 2, 1953 June 12, 2001) was the brother of Mike Mentzer and winner of the 1979 AAU Mr. America competition. Ray followed a similar training style to his brother Mike; it was called Heavy Duty Training. The folding of Workout in 1985 was just the first prong of a triple emotional whammy that was delivered to Mike. Along with Mentzer, accused of carrying out the murder. Complex, B-12, B-2. Ray was troubled by this because he knew his brother had heart problems, and didnt want him to overtax his body. In 1978, he would win the IFBB Mr. USA title and then the AAU Mr. America competition in 1979. Professional bodybuilder, author, entrepreneur, and philosopher. In her testimony, Greenberger said Evans had nothing to do with Radins death. "I'd exhausted all avenues of thought on my predicament, and realized I was wrong. He soon took part in the Junior Mr. America and IFBB Mr. America, winning both contests. Discover the cheat that athletes use to cut fat quickly and get defined muscles. Excellent mindset for bodybuilders to learn from and improve. Data was collected from 1985 to 2011 and demonstrated that wrestlers were three to four times more likely than the general population to die between 30 and 50 years old. To get back in the action, Mike entered1975 IFBB Mr. America to see where he stood. He dies on June 12, 2001 which was only two days after the passing of his legendary brother. By the morning of the contest he had recovered. Almost miraculously, within a few days, he was establishing his personal-training business at Gold's Gym, Venice. Eight years after the bullet-riddled body of New York impresario Roy Radin was found in a dry creek bed near Gorman, a jury Monday found onetime drug dealer and would-be Hollywood deal-maker Karen Greenberger and three bodyguards guilty of murder and kidnaping in what became known as the Cotton Club murder. Ray had been ill for some time and
was a kidney dialysis patient. And yet, there were still occasions when the demons visited. In 1983, Ray continued training extremely hard, using various routines. Ray Mentzer of Centerburg, Knox County, Ohio was born on September 6, 1902. To stay in shape he opted for thrice weekly workouts with fewer sets, and to compensate for the lesser volume, increased the intensity. Ray suffered from kidney failure caused by Berger's Disease. A meeting was called, withmany reports claiminginsults wereexchanged between Mentzer and Schwarzenegger and that a fight nearly broke out. Mike Mentzer was a complex and gifted man who left an indelible mark on the bodybuilding landscape. It become known as "Goldman's Dilemma.". Tragically, Ray died just 2 days later, after missing his kidney dialysis treatment. This may have been a bad move, as 2 years after the blacklisting, Mikehad virtually no income. But even non-traditional sports like cricket, NASCAR, cycling, and pro-wrestling "entertainment" sports have all made headlines with various reports of PED use. The body of Mike Mentzer, age 49, was discovered by his brother
Ray on Sunday, June 10th, at the home they shared together in the vincinity
of the Rolling Hills Estates area of Los Angeles. "Editing Workout was one of the most enjoyable things I've ever done," Mike claims. One year later, he achieved same in the AAU Mr. America show. Carrier said Michael John Mentzer, 49, a champion bodybuilder whose competitive career ended when he lost the Mr. Olympia title to Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1980, died Sunday morning. Its hard not to surmise that in his frail state of health (in the previous few months he had been rushed to the local emergency room several times) the death of his beloved brother was just too much to bear. The initial reports of Ray's death circulating through the bodybuilding
community were that he had committed suicide, but this has yet to be confirmed. Ray went to bed. It's an undeniable fact that numerous top-level bodybuilders have died from some variation of "natural causes" often a heart attack or some form of organ failure before they hit 40 years old. To compound the loss of Mike, on June 11th, at approximately 9:00 PM, Ray died in his sleep. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. 1979 IFBB Florida Pro Invitational 1st It was that morning that Mike was to be found dead by his sibling. You should add Ayn Rand as an influence. They also had the same time-lapse conversation with him, and he even came up to the office and had lunch with the Master Blaster. Eventually, the Ray Mentzer bodybuilding training sessions led to him bulking up to a shocking 275lbs. This meant the transplant was off the table, and Ray would have to wait longer. Hed do squats for hours on end, together with a few other guys. And would these competitors have lived much longer without using them? As the courtroom clerk began reading the verdicts at 9:40 a.m., each of the defendants sat impassively, sometimes leaning to talk with their attorneys or sullenly gazing around the courtroom. 1980 IFBB Mr. Olympia 5th. No, not every pro has had issues. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a3ca1a8fdbeffdd8bb7f5786098d8b9d" );document.getElementById("de63bbf7bd").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); If you're a vegetarian who's serious about strength training, you need to know how to optimize your diet to get the best results. For five years Mike did crazy things and was regularly hospitalized. If you're a vegetarian who's serious about strength training, you need to know how to optimize your diet to get the best results. Another study in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology looked into the prevalence of kidney disease among steroid-using bodybuilders over two years and found signs of disease in the majority of lifters, some of it irreversible and irreparable. 06/28/01 - New information on this tragedy can be found. Erroneously attributing their lack of satisfactory progress to a poverty of the requisite genetic traits, instead of to their irrational training and dietary practices, they give up training. Later that night at the brothers apartment, despite Ray telling him he should turn in, Mike continued to work on the DVDs script. Arnold didnt even like cardio you know, probably because he didnt quite like a strict regimen diet. We know that PEDs are widespread in professional sports like baseball, football soccer, and MMA. This was considered such an outrageous weight for a small man that it fueled rumors of significant steroid use although, quite honestly, no one knows for sure and to speculate without definitive facts would be unfair to his memory. Great profile! Dunn is a California native who has worked as a dishwasher in Sacramento, a printer in San Francisco and a bicycle repairman in Walnut Creek. Ray, his brother, who is also suffering from illnesses, found him. All rights reserved. The two brothers dying within 48 hours of each other shocked the bodybuilding world. The fact that anabolic steroids were finding their way into gyms in the 1960s was no coincidence. Physical wear and tear such as collisions in contact sports or recreational drug use are said to be greater contributing factors. As Mike wrestled with his demons, the bodybuilding community, to its discredit, took a detached stance toward his circumstances. Click Here for Free Bodybuilding and Fitness Magazine Subscription, Click Here To Get A Free High Intensity Training eBook, Click Here for a Chance to Win Free Bodybuilding Supplements. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease. Mike was 49, Ray was 47. In January 1990 a hospitalized Mike experienced a Eureka moment. Entering his first Olympia in his rookie year of 1979 the heavily fancied Mike lost out to a Frank Zane whom he outweighed by some 30 pounds. Coming from a well-educated home, Mikesfather would regularly test and encouragehis academic knowledge using various rewards, including cash to ensure he excelled. A key witness claimed to have overheard Mentzer and Marti discuss the slaying at Flynts Bel-Air mansion. 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Jordan Michael B. Handsome at Walk of Fame ceremony. To gain further insight into Mikes 2001 death, it is necessary to turn the clock back 21 years. Lived: 78 years. However, not long after closing the curtains on his bodybuilding career, Ray started having kidney problems. "I'd exhausted all avenues of thought on my predicament, and realized, On Saturday June 9, 2001 after a long day he wrapped filming of the DVD he so wanted to finish. I knew I had to wake up to that fact or my life would be over. Check regularly for the latest, Greatest Physiques. She said she was pleased that her brothers killers had finally been brought to justice. * October, 1988: Greenberger, Robert Lowe, William Mentzer and Alex Marti are arrested by sheriffs deputies and held in connection with the slaying of Radin. 1978 IFBB USA vs the World 1st (HW) And it's not always the biggest guys or only the top-ranking pros who struggle, but their drug use is consistent enough to draw some conclusions. He had suffered a heart attack in his sleep. When Ray and his brother were little, theyd send letters to Bill and tell him how they admired his physique hoping that they too could one day sculpt strong and ripped muscles like Bill. 1975 IFBB Mr. America 3rd (Medium) Mike did not get his ideas from Jones. Nevertheless, Mike moved in with Ray so that he could look after his brother better. I dont see anyone beating him through the early eighties. Life isnt without hardships, and no matter how difficult things may seem or how far from the path you have strayed, you can always turn things around. Would you accept this deal? And even grimmer component of Ray Mentzer's life was the fact that he died tragically only two days after the unexpected death of his famous brother. A tragic loss, and one that was to be followed shortly after by his brother. Rice said that although Michael Mentzer had appeared robust, his medical records showed that he had a history of coronary-related problems.. Joe Weider rehired Mike in the fall of that year, but after six months, Mentzer left to assume the editorship of. State prison correction officers brutally pummeled an inmate serving a life sentence for the murder of a Suffolk County mom, driving him to suicide, a disturbing new lawsuit charged Monday. Last Known Residence . "If they want more definition, I'll give 'em more definition," he vowed. All rights reserved. I saw him in person in 1979 in Baton Rouge, at a book signing,The Mentzer Method to Fitness. After a day of shooting, Ray turned into bed. Once he reached that point, Ray would h Ray died just two days after discovering his brother Mike Mentzer's body in the same apartment due to heart failure.[2]. He later was named to run science coverage. However, Mike was still able to take care of his younger brother. And just because muscle is more than 70 percent water doesnt mean should begin drinking gallons and gallons of water a day to hasten the muscle growth process either.. Our exclusive interview with Val Segal, the person who spent the last hours with Mike and Ray Mentzer! Your email address will not be published. Greenberger introduced Radin to Evans and together they struck a deal to finance The Cotton Club.. In 2014, the Public Library of Science published a report investigating the mortality rate among active pro wrestlers. He always knew what he wanted and worked hard for it. These manmade and naturally occurring compounds can make you less of a man. Both brothers had a history of health problems, including heart problems. 1976 IFBB Mr. America 1st (Overall) The doctors put him on a kidney dialysis treatment soon after, along with putting him on a kidney transplant waiting list. Arnold Schwarzenegger - He's been named the Austrian Oak, The Terminator,John Matrix, Mr. Mike was 49 and Ray was 47. The younger Mentzer was devastated as he went about making funeral arrangements. Hewill always be remembered for not only having one of the greatest physiques of all time, but also for having one of the greatest stories. In 1999, Ray discovered he had kidney problems. He was known for lifting over 900lbs in squats, and for weighing 275lbs of rock-solid muscle at one point. As I listened during that fateful May 2001 phone call I couldnt help but think the effusive fast-talking Mike was in the middle of a productive genius phase. In 1971, Mike suffered a severe shoulder injury that puta long-term pauseon histraining. He left Weider publications, and by 1982, his annual income "Had gone from $200,000 a year to zero.". 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Not only is he knownas one of the greatest bodybuilders in history, but also as an action movie star, and an American politician. This would require a weight that would take you to failure in between 6 and 9 reps. Then, once you hit failure, keep going. I always admired Mike Mentzer and knew from my own experience that his training philosophy had great validity. If you knew these seven things about lifting or bodybuilding beforehand, would you even bother walking into a gym? All rights reserved. This biographical article relating to bodybuilding in the United States is a stub. Champion bodybuilders are known only to the relatively-small community who follow this fringe sport. It seemed the curtain had come crashing down in tragic Shakespearian style on Mike Mentzers last act and his name would fade into just a footnote on 20th century bodybuilding .. or would it? Rider told them that Mentzer and Marti had admitted during a poker game that they killed Radin. WebThe grave site of Ray Mentzer. Famed for his fracas with Arnold Schwarzenegger at the 1980 Olympia to hisHeavy Duty training style. Ray Menzter, age 47, was reportedly very shaken up by
the death of his brother. On June 9th, 2001, Ray and Mike were working on their new training DVD calledHIT. But the big question is, are preexisting conditions made worse by excessive drug use? Thanks for the info, weve now added Ayn Rand into Mikes idols and influences section. I was using a lot of amphetamines to make me productive. In 1971, Mikewon his first competition, the Mr. Lancaster at the age of 18. In a career that spanned over three decades, he was one of bodybuildings most Ray would later become a bodybuilding legend for his vascular 20+ inch arms, and for reaching a then unthinkable 275lbs of weight. His career and 5th place at the 1980 Mr. Olympia, which prompted his retirement, is well documented. It was a crushing blow. Not only is he knownas one of the greatest bodybuilders in history, but also as an action movie star, and an American politician. Bodybuilding.com's authors include many of the top coaches, nutritionists, and physique athletes in the world today. However,two people remained and supported him; a senior writer for Flex magazine called John Little, and Mikesex-girlfriend Julie McNew. In his seminars, he was openly contemptuous of the Sydney affair; a posture that he believes led to his being unofficially blacklisted by the IFBB, making promoters reluctant to book him. The point is, though, Ray did have his own take on training but was less publically vocal. Died from multiple organ failure in 1996, age 32. Mike Mentzers life was certainly not one without tragedy. He later competed in Mr. America, Mr. World, Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia contests. "Heavy
Duty" involves doing very few, extended sets (using techniques like
negative repetitions, forced reps, partial reps and done primarily on machines
rather than using free weights). Ray suffered from kidney failure caused by Berger's Disease. Id never dreamed theyd end up like they were, but Mike and Ray are genetic freaks. Ray Mentzer was born on August 2, 1953 and developed a love and passion for bodybuilding at a very young age. Thirty years ago, the average non-professional athlete was uninterested in using steroids. Hoe to get them. For Ray, his brother's death was a great tragedy. Dunn joined The Times in 1986 as a suburban reporter in the San Gabriel Valley and later moved to the Metro section, where he participated in coverage of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and the 1992 Los Angeles riots. We recommend you to check the complete list of "I was still using amphetamines, and that use, in association with the series of traumas, did something to my mind that I'm fairly clear about today, although these things are very complex. It wasnt until the morning of the competition that he felt he had recovered. 1979 IFBB Night of Champions 3rd During a check-up, Mike discovered that he had severe heart issues, which meant that the kidney transplant was off the table. At one time, training for just six weeks, he squatted 902 pounds for 2 repetitions. However,
Mike had not competed for 21 years and Ray for 19 years. The day before, both he and brother Ray were working on a fitness DVD titled HIT. Freeze,The Governator,and to many of his fans justArnie. * June 2, 1989: Rider testifies during the preliminary hearing that murder suspects Mentzer and Marti, both former Flynt bodyguards whom he had supervised, had bragged about killing Radin. Id never dreamed theyd end up like they were, but Mike and Ray are genetic freaks., Ray Mentzer was one of the bodybuilding greats of his era. . It is only within the context of having properly developed your mind that you will be able to truly enjoy the achievement of your material values, including that of a more muscular body.. Ray This routine was based on doing 6-9 reps per set at the maximum weight he could lift. However, Mentzer was just getting warmed up. This is an opinion carried by many bodybuilders today. It was a crushing blow. Her attorney argued during the trial that Greenberger had been framed for the murder by Milan Bellechesses, a Miami drug dealer and another Greenberger paramour who suspected Radin of stealing drugs. Freeze,The Governator,and to many of his fans justArnie. ", As 1980 unfolded, however, Mike had no inkling that his competitive career was hurtling toward its conclusion. . Death . He just scratched the surface with that physique. Atty. Originally, Mike's body was sent to a funeral home in nearby
Torrance. As for his protein sources, they included chicken, beef, and high-quality dairy. Mentally, he went into a different gear and battened down the hatches earlier and more securely than for any other competition. He had a history of heart trouble. There certainly may be cases where underlying natural causes were a key factor in a death, but it seems to be a common and unfortunate go-to excuse whenever a physique athlete dies. Rice Mortuary in Torrance. A lot of people drink coffee and smoke cigarettes to stay stimulated and be productive. WebTo compound the loss of Mike, on June 11th, at approximately 9:00 PM, Ray died in his sleep. He dies on June 12, 2001 In 1999, Ray started kidney dialysis 4 times each week, and extensive testing was performed on him to determine if he could handle a kidney transplant. In 1979, he had started taking amphetamines: "Not for the purpose of getting high - that was the furthest thing from my mind. A quick browse online will show you tons of recreational lifters discussing plans for their first, second, third, or fourth steroid cycle. His progress over the next few years was onward and upward. He begantraining 3 times a week and bythe age of 15, Mikecould bench press 370lb (170kg), with a body weight of just165lbs (75kg). He was called as a witness during the preliminary hearing but refused to testify, claiming 5th Amendment protection against self-incrimination. But today, if you walk into most weight rooms you're likely to be standing around a handful of AAS users, whether they look the part or not. Rays intense training was often followed by 3-4 days of complete rest. Noticing the appreciative stares from envious strangers, and knowing that every time you hit the gym, youre pushing the boundaries of what you once thought was impossible - makes it all worthwhile. I need to know the steroid cycle. However, given the suspicious circumstances of the deaths of two
brothers dying within two days of each other, the remains of both Mike and
Ray have been sent to the coroner's office in order to determine cause of
death. Although he was no longer under the spotlight of the bodybuilding stage, Ray kept training hard behind the curtains. The Mike Mentzer that passed away is the one that he will always be remembered as. The judge went way out on a limb and hes going to be in for a big fall if hes wrong, Kaiserman said. Insulin, HGH, and various diuretics supposedly gained traction in the '90s, and they tend to have a greater risk-to-reward ratio. Mike Mentzer is one of the classic bodybuilders of the early years. He also launched a popular rehabilitation clinic in the Southern California region. CLICK HERE! Monday morning, June 11, 2001, an e-mail was sent to us saying that. Another great influencer of Mikes was a Russian-American novelist, philosopher, and play writer namedAyn Rand. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley with a degree in English. We may be able to send a man to the moon, he said later, but when it comes to recognizing the rightful winner of the 1980 Olympiad, mankind is surely arrested in its development., Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles, Winter storms ease drought conditions in California, report shows, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids, Best coffee city in the world? Till then hell just be the proverbial asshole you get wherever you go! He was subsequently known for
creating the "Heavy Duty" training system, derived from the ideas
of Nautilus creator Arthur Jones, for whom Mike worked at one time. They're just average lifters wanting to look better. Mike bodybuilding idol from a young age was Bill Pearl. Nationality.