Lived: 78 years. For five years Mike did crazy things and was regularly hospitalized. Before he left FLEX in early 1996 we had what seemed a productive and rewarding friendship. please email me info@trulyhuge.com or call me at 1-503-648-1898. Death date: 0 June, 1986, Sunday. Bodybuilders' Deaths Lead to Investigation - Los Angeles Times The Mike Mentzer that passed away is the one that he will always be remembered as. He was obsessed with the thought of making movies. June 12, 2001, Died Place. Mike was 49 and Ray was 47. These guys aren't trying to earn a paycheck with their muscle, nor are they trying to win any contests. Personal Trainer, Researcher, Author, Inventor Gym Owner, Doctor, Physical Therapist, Strength & Conditioning Specialist. In the 1960s, Iron Man publisher Peary Rader wrote an editorial to address the issue of steroids in bodybuilding and to warn readers not to get involved with the drugs. Ray Mentzer and Mike Mentzer flexing together on a beach. I Think Mike was someone worth looking up to. I remember reading the magazines at the time. * Another ex-Flynt bodyguard. In the 50+ years since his article, plenty of bodybuilders have misused or abused steroids and other PEDs and have paid the ultimate price: These bodybuilders are thankfully still alive at the time of this writing, but have suffered major health issues. You just cant beat that feeling of knowing that your physique is one youve worked hard for. Many have felt that steroids had contributed to the deaths of both brothers but this truly is speculation. This may have been a bad move, as 2 years after the blacklisting, Mikehad virtually no income. William Mentzer, 42, and Alex Marti, 30, were convicted of first-degree murder. You can do a lot with the correct carb loads and B-Vitamin mix i.e. One of the greatest of all time in my opinion. He started lifting weights at age 11 and competed a year later in his first contest. But the next morning, he was back to "being a productive genius. WebRay Mentzer M. Sam Mannan A failure of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tanker can occur due to collision or loading/unloading operation resulting in spillage of LNG on water. 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. Performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) is the term the public associates with anabolic steroids, even though it's a general category that can include anything from insulin to EPO, a blood "doping" endurance booster, and various non-steroid stimulants. During one of these squat gatherings, Ray achieved an astonishing feat lifting a 900-lbs squat for 2 reps. Back in the day, many bodybuilders believed that a high-protein diet was the number one key to building muscle. The call was answered by a sheriffs deputy, who told Rice that Raymond Mentzers body had been found a short time earlier. With this realization,Mikeswore to himself to back on track. 1971 AAU Teen Mr America 2nd 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. Los Angeles, Calmes: Heres what we should do about Marjorie Taylor Greene, David Lindley, guitarist best known for work with Jackson Browne, dies at 78, ICE detainees allege retaliation for speaking about medical conditions at Otay Mesa center, Downtown L.A stabbing sends six to hospital; suspect arrested, San Diego Roman Catholic diocese facing yet another lawsuit from its insurance company, K-Pop isnt the only hot ticket in Koreatown how trot is captivating immigrants, Los Angeles is suddenly awash in waterfalls. He claimedhe needed it for productivity, and didnt use it for recreation. 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. "Julie, even though our relationship had ended, was very supportive, emotionally and financially, over that whole five-year period," Mike states. Greenberger, 43, and Robert Lowe, 44, were convicted of second-degree murder and kidnaping, requiring an automatic life sentence without possibility of parole. 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. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Ray Mentzer. There was a strain and tension in the air all the way through.. In spring of that year a blood clot broke loose from his leg and went to his lung. Required fields are marked *. One of the core principles of Rays training was doing low reps and heavy weight. Mike used to say you could get full development of a physique using his system training only one half hour a week. 1971 Mr. Lancaster 1st However, things didn't progress the way Mike had hoped, and after six months, he and Jones severed their business relationship. Two days later, Ray died from complications from his long battle with Berger's disease. WebThe grave site of Ray Mentzer. Mike Mentzer was born on the 15th of November, 1951. Dorian Yates set a new standard and his contemporaries tried to follow suit as the sport was introduced to the term "mass monster," describing never-before-seen massive bodyweights and the same deep definition that comes with extremely low body fat. The two moved in together in an apartment, which saw them grow closer over the following months. The Legendary Mentzer Brothers He never wrote me off.. Mentzer, Marti and Lowe were bodyguards for Flynt at the time they met Greenberger. Death Click Here for the interview we did with Mike Mentzer just before he died. He was a judges favorite, andmany competitors believed with his new fame he could win purely on popularity. His brother, Ray, was on medication and did not take the medication hence he died next. [/QUOTE] On June 10, 2001, at approximately 9:00 AM, Mike Mentzer's heart stopped beating while he was asleep. Earlier this year, a blood clot broke loose from his leg and went to his lung. 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. He passed away less than 48 hours after Mike had died, leaving the bodybuilding world shrouded in black. It become known as "Goldman's Dilemma.". He was at his competitive peak in his early-30s, when "mass monsters" dominated bodybuilding, and he claimed to eat up to seven pounds of red meat per day at his biggest. Mike Mentzer was a complex and gifted man who left an indelible mark on the bodybuilding landscape. He is a member of famous with the age 48 years old group. 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. This routine was based on doing 6-9 reps per set at the maximum weight he could lift. Prosecution claimed she was mastermind behind Radins murder but could not prove it. Get our L.A. B comes in). He is currently single. He would also become a bodybuilding legend for his 20+ inch arms and the ability to squat in excess of 900lbs for 2 repetitions. confirmed that Arnold Schwarzenegger had a year before Mikes death called Mike to enquire about Ray Mentzers health problems, and had offered assistance. Ray Menzter, age 47, was reportedly very shaken up by the In 1999, Ray started kidney He never wrote me off., In January 1990 a hospitalized Mike experienced a Eureka moment. He described this feeling as being at deaths door. Ray was also a successful bodybuilder, winning the USA tall class title in 1978 and the AAU Mr. America overall in 1979. These manmade and naturally occurring compounds can make you less of a man. Mike would often keep his training week down to 3 working days with 4 for rest. If you have any questions about Ray Mentzer's training, diet, etc. "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. I knew I had to wake up to that fact or my life would be over. Id answer them back. While initially inspired by Bill Pearl, Mikes whole training philosophy was based on the work of Arthur Jones and HIT. 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. It was me that was out of control, not everybody and everything else. WebA native of Germantown, Pennsylvania, he died of heart failure in Rolling Hills, California at the age of forty-nine. The next morning he discovered Mike dead in bed, apparently of a heart attack. However, Mike was still able to take care of his younger brother. At the center of the real-life drama was Radin, a 275-pound, cocaine-sniffing high school dropout from Long Island, N.Y., who had come to California in the early 1980s with dreams of breaking into the movie business. The following morning, on the 10th of June 2001, Ray found that his brother would never wake up. It was a crushing blow. Since 1999 Mikes younger brother, by 21 months, Ray had been receiving kidney dialysis and was awaiting a transplant. Not 48 hours later, Ray was found dead in his apartment losing his battle against Bergers Disease. Prologue: Mike Mentzer died 13 years ago this month on June 10, 2001, aged 49. Health became an afterthought. His career and 5th place at the 1980 Mr. Olympia, which prompted his retirement, is well documented. Chevron - Safe Disposal of Drilling Fluids From High Temperature & Pressure Wells Anirudh Tunga, Jayachandran Devaraj, Fabio H. Ribeiro, Ray Mentzer, accepted ACS Journal of Safety & Health, 2021. Almost miraculously, within a few days, he was establishing his personal-training business at Gold's Gym, Venice. He changed my life and my entire training routine. However, these werent the only methods Ray used to increase his training intensity. 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. Greenberger showed little emotion and was escorted by deputies from the courtroom soon after the verdicts were read. Though the football players were, not surprisingly, associated with significantly higher rates of neurological and musculoskeletal disease. He had a history of heart trouble. He was found dead in his apartment, due to heart complications, by his younger brother and fellow bodybuilder Ray Mentzer. Kaiserman said he thought the jurys decision showed that they believed Greenberger had not intended to murder Radin, but rather to kidnap him to find out who was behind a large theft of cocaine from Greenbergers residence. In 1971, Mike suffered a severe shoulder injury that puta long-term pauseon histraining. P.S. "If they want more definition, I'll give 'em more definition," he vowed. ", The warning signs were there. Ray Mentzer You should add Ayn Rand as an influence. 2 GIANT TIPS that can SUPERCHARGE your workouts! Forced negatives did the same. 1976 IFBB Mr. Universe 2nd (MW) Is it for money? WebPennsylvania, United States. 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. In the early '90s, bodybuilding saw a significant shift in "the ideal" physique. Rice said that although Michael Mentzer had appeared robust, his medical records showed that he had a history of coronary-related problems.. For the answer to that question stay tuned for next weeks story. On Tuesday, Rice telephoned the Mentzer home in a small unincorporated district surrounded by Rolling Hills Estates. Ray suffered from kidney failure caused by Berger's Disease. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 2 August. 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. Despite this Mike kept up a relentless pace in productive genius style and smoked heavily. "Editing Workout was one of the most enjoyable things I've ever done," Mike claims. In 2001, Mentzer lived in an apartment in Los Angeles, where his brother Ray found his lifeless body. Eventually, as the fatigue set in, Mike finally decided to call it a day and turn to bed. It was time to move on. On June 9th, 2001, Ray and Mike were working on their new training DVD calledHIT. Mike won the rival IFBB Mr America in 1976. It was Ayn who inspired Mike to think outside of the box when it came to training, and living life to his own accord. Ive seen this sort of thing happen before, but not very often, said Scott Carrier, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County coroners office. Ray went to bed. Its been so many years and of course, you lose hope. No, not every pro has had issues. Your email address will not be published. And yet, there were still occasions when the demons visited. "Only now can I appreciate her friendship. Patent on Dorsi Flexor,AD in Biology,BS in Psychology,M.Ed. June 21, 1995 . He always knew what he wanted and worked hard for it. Mike Mentzer is one of the classic bodybuilders of the early years. As soon as that realization hit, I was appalled at how much time I had wasted. No date was set for the trials penalty phase, in which jurors will decide whether to sentence Mentzer and Marti to death or life in prison without parole. To compound the loss of Mike, on June 11th, at approximately 9:00 PM, Ray died in his sleep. 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. Mike Mentzer died on Sunday, June 10th, 2001. Mike Mentzer - Greatest Physiques A native of Germantown, Pennsylvania, he died of heart failure in Rolling Hills, California at the age of Achieving lower body fat with a higher body weight meant packing on more muscle. But the big question is, are preexisting conditions made worse by excessive drug use? 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. CLICK HERE! Ray He has been a life saver for me, from last in my class in high school and 130lbs to 1985 Jr. Mr. Mississippi,1987 Mr. Mississippi,1985 Middle weight Southern Classic,1987 Light Heavy 3rd place Southern Classic,1988 Heavyweight 3rd place Southern Classic, on the same stage with Shawn Ray when he won Nationals,U.S. Please consult with your own physician or health care practitioner regarding any suggestions and recommendations made. Hed do squats for hours on end, together with a few other guys. [en] Vital records: Ray Mentzer at +Archives Friday. in Phychology,BSN in Nursing, now 16 year old son will compete in Teen Mr. Mississippi in July! Your email address will not be published. He is not dating anyone. Required fields are marked *. There was no obviously apparent cause of death, but medical records indicate that he had a history of heart problems. All rights reserved. It was a crushing blow. In a career that spanned over three decades, he was one of bodybuildings most prominent, inspirational and controversial figures. He would talk with me at length, and I remember those conversations with fondness, which causes me to think fondly of John Little. 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. In the last 15 years, roughly one in five wrestler deaths were connected to recreational drug overdose. I think its terrific that the justice system is working here, she said. Expert Insights To Get Stronger, Gain Muscle Faster, And Take Your Lifting To The Next Level. * Ex-girlfriend of movie producer Robert Evans. 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. As Mike puts it in his book Heavy Duty: The fact that muscle is only 22 percent protein suggests that our protein requirements are not nearly that high. It was on a visit to the West Coast in 1982 that he met Greenberger, an alluring drug dealer with links to the Latin American drug underworld who also had ambitions of breaking into the movie business. You'll be seeing more and more serious heart problems, and worse, once these guys hit 40." 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. It made me feel like a productive genius.". The point is, though, Ray did have his own take on training but was less publically vocal. In 1983, he continued to train and ended growing to 250lbs on his very small frame. Mentally, he went into a different gear and battened down the hatches earlier and more securely than for any other competition. On the morning of Tuesday, June 12, Joanne Sharkey (General Manager of Mikes business but who was in essence like an older protective sister to the brothers) received a call from Rays dialysis unit that he hadnt turned up for his appointment. Rays intense training was often followed by 3-4 days of complete rest. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a40bbc091972361b92bafe047762c2f0" );document.getElementById("de63bbf7bd").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Mike certainly had a great mind for bodybuilding. I need he steroid routine. Then also theres a lot of supplements in health stores that are designed for heavy, regular workouts, and Mentzer also sounded like he did not get regular sleep cycles. 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. A tragic loss, and one that was to be followed shortly after by his brother. It was early May of 2001, when out of the blue I received a phone call in FLEXs LA office from Mike Mentzer. Arnold was also set to take part in a bodybuilding video with the two brothers but death came too quickly for this to happen. The statements made have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (U.S.). Ray suffered from kidney failure caused by Berger's Disease. Many competitive bodybuilders and even non-competitive lifters have. He was known for being a Bodybuilder. Mentzer though, built on this model, opted for a Heavy Duty variation. 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. Champion bodybuilders are known only to the relatively-small community who follow this fringe sport. Tragically, Ray died just 2 days later, after missing his kidney dialysis treatment. In 1999, after going to a check-up at the doctors, Ray received terrible news. It was time to 'Go back to what you know, Mike Mentzer!'". Little men like him need to knock the others to make themselves feel good cause they cant do it on their own!!! Chris Colucci is a T Nation editor and the T Nation forum director. 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.. Complex, B-12, B-2. Were disappointed, but Im very thankful the jury didnt convict her of first-degree murder.. Except this time, things were different. He was a proponent of heavy duty training along with Mike and although retiring from competition in 1982, carried on training to the heavy duty high intensity principles. In 2014, the Public Library of Science published a report investigating the mortality rate among active pro wrestlers. Ray Mentzer was born on August 2, 1953 and developed a love and passion for bodybuilding at a very young age. Along with Mentzer, accused of carrying out the murder. Rather than wallow in the dark aspects of Ray's death, it would be better to look towards his interesting life instead. He left Weider publications, and by 1982, his annual income "Had gone from $200,000 a year to zero.". I need to know the steroid cycle. RIP Mike. We will update Ray Mentzer's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. In 1978, Ray became the IFBB Mr. USA champion. Mentzers body was discovered by his younger brother Ray Mentzer Sunday in the apartment they shared in Redondo Beach, California. Physical wear and tear such as collisions in contact sports or recreational drug use are said to be greater contributing factors. How to take thm, [] how about Mike Mentzer, who was around 215 lbs in this photo; would your 215 lbs look like Mike []. "I'd exhausted all avenues of thought on my predicament, and realized I was wrong. Ray Menzter, age 47, was reportedly very shaken up by the death of his brother. MENTZER Check regularly for the latest, Greatest Physiques. He became a professional bodybuilder after that 1978 Universe win. ), "I didn't think there was anything wrong in taking stimulants to make me work as hard as I was. It may be more accurate to say steroids don't kill people, abusing steroids kills people. After a day of shooting, Ray turned into bed. 1978 IFBB USA vs the World 1st (HW) But, after soul searching, hospital visits and a help from a few close friends, he came back. . . Eventually, investigators presented a tale of cocaine, sex and greed that they say involved the making of The Cotton Club, named after the famed Prohibition-era jazz club. - John Doe Bodybuilding, 1977 IFBB North American Championships 1st (Overall), 1977 IFBB North American Championships 1st (MW), 1978 IFBB World Amateur Championships 1st (HW), 1979 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Invitational 2nd, Cereal and Grain Foods Four or more servings per day, Fruits and Vegetables Four or more servings per day, The high-protein group (Fish, meat, eggs) Two or more servings each day (Basic serving of meat = 3.5 ounces). He previously served as assistant managing editor in charge of California news. "Bodybuilders' Deaths Lead to Investigation", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ray_Mentzer&oldid=1121569006, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 13 November 2022, at 00:22. His physique was a blockbuster and he later won the contest. 2023 Greatest Physiques. A lot of people drink coffee and smoke cigarettes to stay stimulated and be productive. 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. Thanks for the info, weve now added Ayn Rand into Mikes idols and influences section. Mike believed that bodybuilders do not need the levels of protein they were sold by magazines. He did this at the University of Maryland however in 1977 Mike dropped out, realizing the subject wasnt for him. Bullshit. 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. One day in late 1994 John Little rushed to my desk and told me he had just received a call from Mike, saying he was in Las Vegas and about to fly to the moon to meet with Bill Clinton and discuss the worlds problems. Not only is he knownas one of the greatest bodybuilders in history, but also as an action movie star, and an American politician. The latter are the lifters who generally end up as statistics. Sometimes I'd stay awake for two or three days at a time to meet dead lines. I'd put 110% into the enterprise and it hadn't worked out.". Once he reached that point, Ray would have his training partner help him do another 2-3 forced reps, controlling the weight with slow and perfect form. Nice article, but there is a huge mistake in the compilation of Mike Mentzers bodybuilding achievements segment (despite Rudolpfh Plizetskaias attempt to rectify it) ; in 1978, Mentzer won the IFBB Mr. Universe in Acapulco, Mexico with the first and only perfect 300 score. He enjoyed the work, but he relied upon amphetamines to meet deadlines, on occasion staying awake for two or three days straight. In enthusiastic tones Mike told me he looked forward to celebrating his 50th birthday in November. A sad day for bodybuildingMike and Ray Mentzer Dead. He was unopposed). Ashley Dunn is the former weekend editor at the Los Angeles Times. Professional athletes seeking every possible advantage and recovery method shouldn't surprise us, even when it's directly prohibited by their sport's rules and the law. Mike Mentzers life was certainly not one without tragedy. 1978 IFBB World Amateur Championships 1st (HW) beat inmate hours before He won the Mr. Olympia title in 1979. A meeting was called, withmany reports claiminginsults wereexchanged between Mentzer and Schwarzenegger and that a fight nearly broke out. He was so fatigued that he couldn't even raise his arms, and had to stay in bed for the remainder of the day. He published numerous fitness-themed books, including Heavy Duty Nutrition and High-Intensity Training the Mike Mentzer Way. This would require a weight that would take you to failure in between 6 and 9 reps. Then, once you hit failure, keep going. Big Dead Bodybuilders - T NATION At one time, training for just six weeks, he squatted 902 pounds for 2 repetitions. Some top pros almost reach 50, but even less get to 55 without a major health scare. According to our Database, He has no children. During one of his evening training sessions, he was seen doing a 900-pound squat for two reps. Ray Mentzer was born on 2 August, 1953 in Pennsylvania, United States. It came to a similar conclusion: Steroid use can be a valid and significant factor in heart-related death. Mike And Ray Mentzer Pass Away Due To Health Issues. Despite the occasional setback, Mike began making a name for himself, and was once again, back on the circuit. In the midst of the chaos that day, Ray completely forgot that he needed to turn up for his kidney dialysis treatment. 1975 ABBA Mr. USA 2nd (Medium) Sadly, Ray Mentzer would contract Berger's Disease which would lead to kidney problems that contributed to his passing. ", As 1980 unfolded, however, Mike had no inkling that his competitive career was hurtling toward its conclusion. Mohammed Benaziza: Seven total Grand Prix wins in 1990 and 1992, 1st place at the 1990 Night of Champions (beating MIKE MENTZER - The Untold Story - Muscular Development Mike bodybuilding idol from a young age was Bill Pearl. His forte was his strength literally. The two brothers dying within 48 hours of each other shocked the bodybuilding world. At the time of his passing, it was reported that he died after choking on food, but his autopsy report pointed elsewhere. But you watch. Being out from 1971 through to 1974. On top of this, Rays strength also increased. Like other great bodybuilders, Ray discovered his passion for the lifting sport early in his life. In one article he said I had a fanny fetish. PowerPoint Presentation Plot #17067587. Coupled with an overwhelming amount of calories he ate, Ray soon reached the 250lbs mark of weight. [1] Ray's brother, Mike Mentzer won the rival IFBB Mr. America in 1976 during Ray's Junior title. Dont tell me about all this bullshit working out. Ray followed a similar training style to his brother Mike; it was called Heavy Duty Training. This would make him go beyond the point of muscle failure. WebA: Mike Mentzer's cause of death was heart complications. We know that PEDs are widespread in professional sports like baseball, football soccer, and MMA. Couldnt do Tom Bradys huh?!! Mike Mentzer was born in Pennsylvania. Thirty years ago, the average non-professional athlete was uninterested in using steroids. All rights reserved. Rolling Hills, California, United States. The jury also found that Mentzer and Marti killed Radin for financial gain during a kidnaping--special circumstances that open the possibility of death in the gas chamber for both men. In fact, carbohydrates made up the bulk of Rays diet. Edit: two DAYS not years, my b ", 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. Check out our top rated fat burners to find out what actually works. In this timely tribute to Mike we review his final days and next week offer an appraisal of his place in the bodybuilding firmament. One of these protocols included the famous Heavy Duty Training. I always admired Mike Mentzer and knew from my own experience that his training philosophy had great validity. MIKE AND RAY MENTZER DEAD - billdobbins.com