Mike Mentzer started bodybuilding at age 12. I Think Mike was someone worth looking up to. He contracted Bergers disease. 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. Death date: 0 June, 1986, Sunday. Try to find a dozen healthy IFBB pros who successfully competed in the '90s. The weight would be so heavy that by the 9th rep, Ray would reach failure. I need to know the steroid cycle. Mike believed that bodybuilders do not need the levels of protein they were sold by magazines. Mike Mentzer was a complex and gifted man who left an indelible mark on the bodybuilding landscape. Physical wear and tear such as collisions in contact sports or recreational drug use are said to be greater contributing factors. With steroids, there's use, there's misuse, and there's abuse, and they're very different things. During his downtime, Mike began studying to be a psychologist in 1974 to keep his academic mind active. Gross abuse of anabolic steroids (AAS), growth hormone, insulin, and diuretics are some of the major factors believed to be responsible for a disproportionate number of lean and muscular corpses. This biographical article relating to bodybuilding in the United States is a stub. Eventually, as the fatigue set in, Mike finally decided to call it a day and turn to bed. The following morning, on the 10th of June 2001, Ray found that his brother would never wake up. But, after soul searching, hospital visits and a help from a few close friends, he came back. Rest was crucial. In her testimony in April, Greenberger denied that she was involved in the murder, saying that her ex-lover, Mentzer, killed Radin on the orders of Bellechesses. "I was consumed 24 hours a day by the thought: What can I do today in terms of training, diet, aerobics and motivation to improve myself? Hed break down a typical bodybuilders diet into the following: Mans proper stature is not one of mediocrity, failure, frustration, or defeat, but one of achievement, strength, and nobility. Ray Mentzer didnt share the same opinion. Greenberger, Mentzer, Marti and Lowe were arrested in 1988--five years after Radins body was found by a beekeeper in a desolate canyon 65 miles north of Los Angeles. So you have to wonder why so many seem eager to risk their lives and health for success. Mentzers body was discovered by his younger brother Ray Mentzer Sunday in the apartment they shared in Redondo Beach, California. Radins sister, Kate, sat quietly in the courtroom as the verdicts were read. After a stint at the New York Times, Dunn returned to Los Angeles in 1998 as a reporter and then editor in The Times Business section. When a bodybuilder dies at an early age from organ-related failure, this is the kneejerk response you'll hear from bodybuilding fans: "He had a preexisting condition and would've had that same problem whether he was a bodybuilder or a school teacher!". Its fair to say that Arthur Jones was the man behind the success of Mike Mentzer, and so should be classed as one of his major influences. We recommend you to check the complete list of I always admired Mike Mentzer and knew from my own experience that his training philosophy had great validity. I'd read the literature on amphetamines and had never heard of any long-term physical damage, but I did know that it could possibly result in acute episodes of psychosis. I just have to comment that Burt should get a life and realize that if he was half the man Mike was hed be something! WebThe grave site of Ray Mentzer. In my opinion Mr. Mentzer may have went a bit beyond then rested too long, especially up to 7 days. Your email address will not be published. Sometimes I'd stay awake for two or three days at a time to meet dead lines. You should add Ayn Rand as an influence. The weight would be so heavy that by the 9th rep, Ray would reach failure. In short, man can and ought to be a hero.. He worked as deputy national editor from 2007 to 2011 and played a central role in the coverage of some of the biggest national stories of recent years, including the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the 2008 election of President Obama. In 2001, Mentzer lived in an apartment in Los Angeles, where his brother Ray found his lifeless body. I was using a lot of amphetamines to make me productive. RIP Mike. Known for his feats at the 1978 IFBB Mr. USA and 1979s, Ray was a sight to be seen during his prime. But in the years prior to his drastic physical decline, Matarazzo was one of the few pros who talked openly about what he felt was the underlying cause the level of anabolic steroids and related drugs necessary to become a top-ranked pro. I was 19 years old,me and 2 friends drove from Carrollton,Ms to Baton Rouge to see him. Mike bodybuilding idol from a young age was Bill Pearl. Id answer them back. Greenberger called Mentzer the murderer. 2023 Greatest Physiques. Two days before the 1980 Olympia tookplace, Mike was revisited by thedeaths door feeling. Monday morning, June 11, 2001, an e-mail was sent to us saying that. The arrests came after a secret taping by Rider of a conversation in which Lowe said the Radin killing had been paid for by Greenberger and film producer Evans. Everything I did was marshaled into the spirit of improvement. 1979 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Invitational 2nd And yet, there were still occasions when the demons visited. It's probably even more true that other bodybuilding-related drugs bring higher risks than anabolic steroids. [en] Vital records: Ray Mentzer at +Archives Friday. 1979 IFBB Southern Pro Cup 1st Mikes form would be kept absolutely perfect. Discover Ray Mentzer's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Mike won the rival IFBB Mr America in 1976. To care for him, Mikemoved in with Ray, and the two grew closer over the following years. 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. These guys aren't trying to earn a paycheck with their muscle, nor are they trying to win any contests. The statements made have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (U.S.). Ray Mentzer (August 3, 1953 June 12, 2001) born in Philadelphia was the 1976 Junior Mr. America, 1978 IFBB Mr. USA and was winner of the 1979 AAU Mr. America competition. Burt He just scratched the surface with that physique. Both brothers had a history of health problems, including heart problems. He enjoyed the work, but he relied upon amphetamines to meet deadlines, on occasion staying awake for two or three days straight. Ray suffered from kidney failure caused by Berger's Disease. Greenberger had been accused of hiring Mentzer, Marti and Lowe to kill Radin because she feared she was being cut out of a producers role--and profits--in the movie The Cotton Club, a film about a Harlem speak-easy that was a critical and financial flop. "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. In 1971, Mikewon his first competition, the Mr. Lancaster at the age of 18. Id never dreamed theyd end up like they were, but Mike and Ray are genetic freaks. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. 1977 IFBB North American Championships 1st (Overall) On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. However,two people remained and supported him; a senior writer for Flex magazine called John Little, and Mikesex-girlfriend Julie McNew. It just didn't feel like a normal contest; no one was being their usual self. But you watch. Later, as his bodybuilding progressed, he would move to take between4-7 days rest in between workouts. They're just average lifters wanting to look better. Required fields are marked *. "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). This is why his workouts were called HIT (High-Intensity Training). The weightsmoved in a perfectly controlled and slow manner. Nationality. Fame? I need he steroid routine. Death record, obituary, funeral notice and information about the deceased person. Ray's brother, Mike Mentzer won the rival IFBB Mr. America in 1976 during Ray's Junior title. Lowes attorney, Mark Kaiserman, said he also was disappointed in the verdicts and vowed to appeal. 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. Mike wouldnt pick up a weight until 1975, but when he finally did, Mikecame back with full force. ", As 1980 unfolded, however, Mike had no inkling that his competitive career was hurtling toward its conclusion. Arnold, despite breaking formation on several occasions and receiving a warning from the judges placed 1st. Lipscomb said that because a death occurred during the kidnaping, Greenberger and Lowe will be in prison for the rest of their lives. Bodybuilding began to separate from physical fitness in the 1950s. Ray Mentzers income source is mostly from being a successful . The jurors were ordered not to speak about the case until the penalty phase is concluded. John understands quite a bit about the power of ideas and the way they work in the mind. A 2014 study looked into a connection between anabolic steroids and cardiovascular function. It become known as "Goldman's Dilemma.". Coming from a well-educated home, Mikesfather would regularly test and encouragehis academic knowledge using various rewards, including cash to ensure he excelled. Within a few days of leaving thehospital, he approachedGolds Gym, Venice, and convinced them to let him start up as a personal trainer. Monday morning, June 11, 2001, an e-mail was sent to us saying that Mike Mentzer has passed away June 9th. Ray, his brother, who is also suffering from illnesses, found him. To compound the loss of Mike, on June 11th, at approximately 9:00 PM, Ray died in his sleep. Ray suffered from kidney failure caused by Berger's Disease. RIP. Rice Mortuary in Torrance. He previously served as assistant managing editor in charge of California news. Mike was 49, Ray was 47. He would talk with me at length, and I remember those conversations with fondness, which causes me to think fondly of John Little. The doctors put him on a kidney dialysis treatment soon after, along with putting him on a kidney transplant waiting list. P.S. To compound the loss of Mike, on June 11th, at approximately 9:00 PM, Ray died in his sleep. 1976 IFBB Mr. America 1st (Medium) . He never wrote me off.. It may be more accurate to say steroids don't kill people, abusing steroids kills people. You just cant beat that feeling of knowing that your physique is one youve worked hard for. Theyd send me little pictures of themselves and all types of stuff. "Julie, even though our relationship had ended, was very supportive, emotionally and financially, over that whole five-year period," Mike states. I'd put 110% into the enterprise and it hadn't worked out.". Rather than wallow in the dark aspects of Ray's death, it would be better to look towards his interesting life instead. WebThe cause of Mike Mentzer's death was not disclosed, pending a coroner's investigation. After a long and exhausting day of work, Ray went to sleep, while Mike stayed working late. Check out our top rated fat burners to find out what actually works. Expert Insights To Get Stronger, Gain Muscle Faster, And Take Your Lifting To The Next Level. Ashley Dunn is the former weekend editor at the Los Angeles Times. 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. At 48 years old, Ray Mentzer height not available right now. He later was named to run science coverage. 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. Ray Menzter, age 47, was reportedly very shaken up by the Couldnt do Tom Bradys huh?!! Mike Mentzer won the Mr. Universe title in 1978 and the heavyweight division of the Mr. Olympia contest in 1979. Rays intense training was often followed by 3-4 days of complete rest. Greatest Physiques is the number 1 destination for the best looking bodies on the planet. Ray died just two days after discovering his brother Mike Mentzer's body in the same apartment due to heart failure.[2]. He published numerous fitness-themed books, including Heavy Duty Nutrition and High-Intensity Training the Mike Mentzer Way. While there were no reported long term side effects at the time, Mike began to suffer from fatigue, and would spend full days in bed without being able to even lift an arm. "Only now can I appreciate her friendship. The long term results of the era are what we've been seeing over the past couple decades: consequences that are catching up with more and more bodybuilders as reports of health issues from mild to fatal have appeared. Your email address will not be published. This is an opinion carried by many bodybuilders today. 1978 IFBB World Amateur Championships 1st (HW) After making funeral arrangements for his brother, Ray Ray Menzer was born in August 1953, in Pennsylvania, USA. Mike understood that an individual had individual needs, but inside, we all worked the same. Eventually, the Ray Mentzer bodybuilding training sessions led to him bulking up to a shocking 275lbs. "The magazine was doing fairly well, when, just as it started to turn a profit, the financial people - for whatever reason - pulled the plug on the whole thing and we ceased operation. Previously, he had started dieting 12 weeks out. He was the brother of fellow bodybuilder Ray Mentzer. in Community Counseling,Ph.D. Press reports of the Mentzer deaths stressed that they were both bodybuilders. They cant take away the pain and no one can bring him back.. 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. 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. There was no obviously apparent cause of death, but medical records indicate that he had a history of heart problems. In 1983, he flew to Florida in order to be trained by Arthur Jones. 2023 Greatest Physiques. A 2012 study in the American Journal of Cardiology investigated mortality rates among NFL players and actually saw that they were, overall, almost half as likely to die as comparably-aged non-athletes. Building muscle gradually became a greater goal than athleticism, strength, and power. Rider told them that Mentzer and Marti had admitted during a poker game that they killed Radin. The improvements Ray saw in his physique soon paid off. Greatest Physiques is the number 1 destination for the best looking bodies on the planet. Mikes younger brother Ray, who was thewinner of the 1979s Mr. America began receiving kidney dialysis in 1999. Cardiovascular disease and drug overdose were found to cause an overwhelming majority of the deaths, with wrestlers being 15 times more likely to experience a cardiovascular-related death and a shocking 122 times more likely to die from drugs compared to non-athletes. He was known for being a Bodybuilder. 2023 Greatest Physiques. It was a crushing blow. Later that night at the brothers apartment, despite Ray telling him he should turn in, Mike continued to work on the DVDs script. "It lasted 18 months, and every day of that period I had the same commitment and ambition I'd had in preparing for the 1980 Mr. Olympia. After the autopsy, it turned out that the cause of death was a heart attack, a large dose of anesthetic was found in the man's body, and it contributed to the cardiac arrest. Anyhow, thats what I recall him writing in the Weider mag. How to take thm, [] how about Mike Mentzer, who was around 215 lbs in this photo; would your 215 lbs look like Mike []. This was in no small part due to his new training routine, Heavy Duty Training, which was created by his 21-months older brother Mike Mentzer. Would you accept this deal? Los Angeles County sheriffs investigators had all but ended their investigation of Radins murder, but a break came in 1987 when they met William Rider, the brother-in-law and onetime security chief for Larry Flynt, publisher of Hustler magazine. I wasnt in control of my mind although I thought he was.. He later competed in Mr. America, Mr. World, Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia contests. After a day of shooting, Ray turned It came to a similar conclusion: Steroid use can be a valid and significant factor in heart-related death. Ray retired from active competition in 1982 and started training other champions. However, Mike had not competed for 21 years and Ray for 19 years. Thanks for the info, weve now added Ayn Rand into Mikes idols and influences section. Greenberger, 43, and Robert Lowe, 44, were convicted of second-degree murder and kidnaping, requiring an automatic life sentence without possibility of parole. In 1983, ace inventor and entrepreneur Arthur Jones recruited Mike and brother Ray (1979 Mr. America) to work with him on research projects he was undertaking at his Nautilus headquarters in Deland, Florida. Mentally, he went into a different gear and battened down the hatches earlier and more securely than for any other competition. Not only is he knownas one of the greatest bodybuilders in history, but also as an action movie star, and an American politician. 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. Many have felt that steroids had contributed to the deaths of both brothers but this truly is speculation. He never wrote me off., In January 1990 a hospitalized Mike experienced a Eureka moment. No, not every pro has had issues. Mike Mentzer took a fairly broad approach to his nutrition in terms of food sources, and would eat according to 4 food groups and the servings of each. At one time, training for just six weeks, he squatted 902 pounds for 2 repetitions. These manmade and naturally occurring compounds can make you less of a man. A case of riseand fall. "Editing Workout was one of the most enjoyable things I've ever done," Mike claims. In her testimony, Greenberger said Evans had nothing to do with Radins death. Mike Mentzer is one of the classic bodybuilders of the early years. Professional bodybuilder, author, entrepreneur, and philosopher. The verdicts were sealed until Monday. Arnold didnt even like cardio you know, probably because he didnt quite like a strict regimen diet. 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. On Tuesday, Rice telephoned the Mentzer home in a small unincorporated district surrounded by Rolling Hills Estates. Part of the reason for his success was he prescribed to his brother's concept of heavy duty training which involved very high intensity 45 minute workout sessions. 1975 ABBA Mr. USA 2nd (Medium) In the 1980s, Dr. Robert Goldman began asking top-level athletes if they'd accept a proverbial deal with the devil that guaranteed victory in every competition they entered but also guaranteed their death within five years. This was met with anger from many contestants, including Mentzer. But the big question is, are preexisting conditions made worse by excessive drug use? may have contributed, there was a history of heart disease in the Mentzer family - all of them died fairly young.