[Eight Is image] An Exclusive Interview with Recently Unretired Ronnie Coleman As He Seeks a record 9th Mr. Olympia Title
It's official, bodybuilding icon Ronnie Coleman will make his highly anticipated return to competition at the 2010 Mr. Olympia. Tied with Lee Haney for most Olympia wins at eight, the 46-year-old Coleman's return is already being touted as the biggest comeback the world of bodybuilding has seen since a guy named Arnold did it in 1980 after a five year hiatus.
I recently had the opportunity to speak with Ronnie about his comeback, his illustrious career, his training secrets, and his arrest last summer for allegedly posing as cop (the charges were later dropped).
Q. You've been quoted as saying you'd like to make a comeback and compete in Mr. Olympia 2010, does that still stand?
A . Yes it does still stand.
Q. What's your main motivation in making this comeback at age 46?
A. Age ain't nothing but a number! My main motivation is that this is the sport that I love and it's also my hobby. Can't a guy just enjoy his hobby and have fun with it? That's all I want to do...and of course win.
Q. What kind of statement are you trying to make in returning to the Mr. Olympia stage?
A. There's no statement to make here; my statement was made with my eighth win, tying me with Lee Haney for all time wins.
Q. You currently share the record of eight Mr. Olympia titles with Lee Haney. How important is it to move ahead of Haney with one more victory?
A. It is not important for me at all because I've always looked up to Lee Haney and admired him for what he did at the time he did it. He'll always be the greatest Mr. Olympia of all time to me along with Arnold.
Q. How much of a factor does your 4th place finish in the 2007 Mr. Olympia play in your motivation to make the comeback?
A. What? I placed 4th in that show? I had forgot all about it until you just brought it up. I don't remember that so I'm gonna have to double check the scores and get back to you on that one.
Q. Does the outcome of 2010 determine whether you will continue to compete?
A. No, because I cannot predict the future. I do know one thing though; I'll never say never to anything again.
Q. Why did you decide to compete in 2010 and not 2009?
A. I was going to compete in the 2009 Mr. Olympia if I had signed the contract with MuscleTech. I was negotiating with them but BSN out bid them so I signed with BSN and they did not require me to compete in the Olympia as the contract I was going to sign with MuscleTech required me to do. I will not be under contract in 2010 with anyone and this leaves me free to compete and make this decision on my own and this is what I want to do.
Q. At age 45, and after taking some time off from bodybuilding, will your training and preparation for this Mr. Olympia be the same as in years past?
A. No, it will be totally different because I'm nowhere near as strong as I used to be, so I'll definitely be training a lot lighter which should be more safe for me. I will also incorporate some different exercises, which will be a great change for my muscles.
Q. What have you noticed as you've gotten older about the way your body reacts to training / diet now?
A. There is nothing that I've noticed with the way my body reacts in terms of training and dieting as I've gotten older. The only difference is my strength has gone down a lot since what it used to be -- when I say a lot, I'm talking about 100 pound differences in some of the exercises I do.
Q. What advantages do you feel you have against some of the younger guys competing in Mr. Olympia?
A. I've still won the Olympia a record eight times which means there was a good reason why I have this record, mainly because of my shape, structure and density which I still have.
Q. What are your thoughts on the current state of professional bodybuilding?
A. It continues to evolve and get better judges and get bigger than ever. Look at the recent $200,000 first place prize money at this year's Mr. Olympia.
Q. You were recently arrested in May for allegedly impersonating a police officer. Please tell us your side of the story.
A. Those charges were dropped about 3 weeks later. Nothing really happened. I was stopped for speeding and the guy said to me "I know you. You used to work for Arlington P.D." I answered, "yes." He then asked if I had my badge, and I answered yes. He then called Arlington P.D. and asked them if I was still working there and they said no. He then arrested me for impersonating an officer since I still had my badge on me. Oh and by the way, it is legal for an officer to keep his badge on him in Texas if he worked on the job. This idiot was reading the law book and knew this and still arrested me! I bet he wonders why he works in a town with a population of 2000 people or less.
Q. Has the issue been fully resolved yet, or are you still facing repercussions?
A. Yes, it was dropped and nothing ever happened with it, just an idiot so called guy wanted to make a name for his department was all I can see of the matter. I mean, when in this country did we start arresting guys who used to protect their city and put their lives on the line for their cities every single day they went to work? This, I'll never understand. Next I guess this idiot will start arresting Iraq war veterans because they still have their dog tags on them.
Q. Describe a day in the life of Ronnie Coleman when in training.
A. I still train pretty much the same way but with lighter weights. Still the same intensity and fun, still the same number of sets, reps and exercises. I still get up and eat my first meal, then train and eat five more times throughout the day. I also still eat the same foods: chicken and rice, steak and baked potatoes and good ole grits for breakfast.
Q: When you're competing, what does your diet consist of on a daily basis? Do you have any nutrition secret that’s helped you have success?
A. Well, my DVDs have documented this consistently and nothing's changed there. I still have the same thing today. It's grilled chicken, grilled filet mignon, grilled turkey breast and protein shakes for my protein. My carbs only consist of rice and baked potatoes. These are my secrets to success and again of course good ole grits for my first meal of the day.
Q. Who were some of the bodybuilders you admired and looked up to in the early years of your career?
A. Lee Haney and Arnold.
Q. When did you begin bodybuilding? What motivated you to pick that particular sport and how did you retain that motivation throughout your career?
A. I started bodybuilding when I was 13 years old. I was motivated and picked up my first weight because people would ask me all the time if I worked out because I had so many muscles even at that early age. I always said no, and got tired of giving the same answer, so I decided to start lifting weights to see what would happen. Honestly, I just fell in love with lifting weights from the start. I also wanted to say "yes" for a change to the question of if I lifted weights. I've maintained my motivation because it's my hobby and I love it.
Q. You're arguably the greatest bodybuilder of all time. To what do you attribute your amazing success?
A. Number 1, the love that I have for training. Number 2, simply because this is what God called me to do. It's my True Calling in Life. This could also be the main reason for my success. So I have two main reasons I attribute my success to. In life you have your career and you have your calling. My career was being a police officer and my calling was definitely to be a bodybuilder. The difference is God has a calling for everyone and when God calls us to do something, it's gonna get done. We just have to accept this calling and stay focused on it while at the same time work and dedicate ourselves to it.
Nothing really comes easy in life, especially if it's something that's really worth having.
Q. What moment in your career do you consider to be your pinnacle?
A. Winning my first Mr. Olympia in New York in 1998. Before that happened, accepting the free membership to MetroFlex gym that Brian Dobson gave me back in 1989. I could only accept it if I agreed to compete in the Mr. Texas bodybuilding contest a few months from then.
Q. How much of a factor does your 4th place finish in the 2007 Mr. Olympia play in your motivation to make the comeback?
A. What? I placed 4th in that show? I had forgot all about it until you just brought it up. I don't remember that so I'm gonna have to double check the scores and get back to you on that one.
Ronnie coming back isn't such a good idea for him. He'll place low and this compared to the way he won his titles it's not going to be soft for him.
Now he has many fans thanks to his incredible physique in his glory years, but if he's damaging his image as one of the greatest champions in history, all that can turn against him.
The bbing industry and the fans are supporting the guys in the top. Once you're down it's no mercy for you. Best example is Jay: after his loss in 2008, few believed in his glorious comeback and he was planning to retire in 2009 no matter what the result will be, this year he's no.1 in the business probably still with some good years for him ahead and the world is at his feet.
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I Want To Look Like That Guy: http://www.youtube.com/user/jasongenova
Ronnie coming back isn't such a good idea for him. He'll place low and this compared to the way he won his titles it's not going to be soft for him.
Now he has many fans thanks to his incredible physique in his glory years, but if he's damaging his image as one of the greatest champions in history, all that can turn against him.
The bbing industry and the fans are supporting the guys in the top. Once you're down it's no mercy for you. Best example is Jay: after his loss in 2008, few believed in his glorious comeback and he was planning to retire in 2009 no matter what the result will be, this year he's no.1 in the business probably still with some good years for him ahead and the world is at his feet.
oh thanks for your opinion on the subject mr. coleman
he's competing for fun and not for the money (no contract obligations) so who cares. we get to see the best of all time in contest shape for longer. he'll still be a top 10 competitor and as long as he enjoys it we shouldn't be choosing whether its a good choice for him or not.
he's competing for fun and not for the money (no contract obligations) so who cares. we get to see the best of all time in contest shape for longer. he'll still be a top 10 competitor and as long as he enjoys it we shouldn't be choosing whether its a good choice for him or not.
^^This. I hate it when people say you should quit when you're at your best. If you love what you do, as ronnie coleman clearly does, why stop just because you can't keep winning the mr olympia? He doesn't do it for the fame and the everlasting legacy. And at this point, I don't think money is really a problem in his life lol. He does it because he loves it, so if he wants to compete at the O again, sit back and enjoy the show!
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"Determination that is incorruptible" - Disturbed
"Aint nothin to it but to do it" - Ronnie Coleman
Wolf was out of the top 10 just based on conditioning. Come in missing a lat and tricep and that top 10 is non-existant.
Don't compare Coleman to Wolf, even though Wolf is a good bodybuilder...
Yes, Wolf was out of the top 10 because of his bad conditioning. Coleman at his worst would be three times better conditioned than Wolf. He already missed his lat and triceps in 2007. And he placed fourth.
Now think about it: he missed those bodyparts even in 2006. He only placed lower in 2007 because he was much much smaller than normal.
Since Coleman trains comparable to what he did in 2006 rather than 2007 today, it is possible that he would be at least 285 lbs on stage.
Ronnie Coleman at 285 lbs = top ten locked
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Ronnie KING Coleman, the greatest bodybuilder of all time.
lol, Ronnie competed in the pro contests from 1993, but since he wasn't on top everyone was talking only about Dorian, Flex, Levrone, Dillet, Ray. Once he won the Olympia he became the center of attention and everyone started to kiss his a**.
So, yeah, being number 1 brings you a lot of advantages and you should stay in the game while you're on top and retire in glory, and after that sell your image and knowledge, like Dorian did.
Yates had only a second place behind the reigning champion at his first Olympia, and after that only 1's. If he had lower placings, he wouldn't seem so unbeatable like he is now, after all these years.
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I Want To Look Like That Guy: http://www.youtube.com/user/jasongenova
he is competing because he loves to, and says winning isnt important to him, so stop saying coming back isnt a good idea for him, let the man do what he loves, freaking idiots.
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Political correctness is ridiculous, Western society bends over like a b!tch way too often. Stop sugar-coating everything.
Yates had only a second place behind the reigning champion at his first Olympia, and after that only 1's. If he had lower placings, he wouldn't seem so unbeatable like he is now, after all these years.
Yates seems to be very beatable in 1997.
The best example that Ronnie wouldn't tarnish his legacy is himself. He lost to Cutler in 2006 and 2007, nevertheless he is still considered as the best bodybuilder of all time. You think a third consecutive defeat would finally change this?? Yes??
No.
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Ronnie KING Coleman, the greatest bodybuilder of all time.
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Lennox is a conqueror? No. I'm Alexander, he's no Alexander! I'm the best ever! There's never been anybody as ruthless. I'm Sonny Liston, I'm Jack Dempsey, there's no one like me - I'm from their cloth. There's no one that can match me! My style is impetuous, my defense is impregnable, and I'm just ferocious! I want your heart! -Mike Tyson
The best example that Ronnie wouldn't tarnish his legacy is himself. He lost to Cutler in 2006 and 2007, nevertheless he is still considered as the best bodybuilder of all time. You think a third consecutive defeat would finally change this?? Yes??
No.
Yates was the best in '97, but he felt that his injuries will make him defeatable, and eventually he'll lose, so he made his best move: he retired in glory.
In 2006 he lost, but in 2007 people were expecting Ronnie to repair his injuries and to come again at 100%. But now that is clear that it's impossible, many of his fans will prefer him after the 2010 Olympia to retire, because the hopes to see the old Ronnie are broken, and you dont't like to see your idol beaten by some 3rd tiers for years in a row.
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I Want To Look Like That Guy: http://www.youtube.com/user/jasongenova
it'll would be wrong to say he will come in and not surprise us win his new look, cuz I for one believe he's going to look completely changed with his new rountines. Also it would be impossible for him to place anything higher than 3rd in my opinion, his size, shape etc will make Heath, dex look babied
I see ron more compacted and shredded than ever. I'll go on record and say we'll get the reaction as we did of jays new look
it'll would be wrong to say he will come in and not surprise us win his new look, cuz I for one believe he's going to look completely changed with his new rountines. Also it would be impossible for him to place anything higher than 3rd in my opinion, his size, shape etc will make Heath, dex look babied
I see ron more compacted and shredded than ever. I'll go on record and say we'll get the reaction as we did of jays new look
Yates was the best in '97, but he felt that his injuries will make him defeatable, and eventually he'll lose, so he made his best move: he retired in glory.
In 2006 he lost, but in 2007 people were expecting Ronnie to repair his injuries and to come again at 100%. But now that is clear that it's impossible, many of his fans will prefer him after the 2010 Olympia to retire, because the hopes to see the old Ronnie are broken, and you dont't like to see your idol beaten by some 3rd tiers for years in a row.
You're saying Ronnie shouldn't compete merely on the fact that it will change how other people view him?
Ronnie enjoys competing and it makes him happy. It's more important to him than what some retard on an internet forum thinks of him and I admire that. Living your life for yourself and not others, maybe you should look into it..
Well to be honest, it should of been 9.... *coughs* 1997
And potentially 2006, but he had a few injuries that year..
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You're saying Ronnie shouldn't compete merely on the fact that it will change how other people view him?
Ronnie enjoys competing and it makes him happy. It's more important to him than what some retard on an internet forum thinks of him and I admire that. Living your life for yourself and not others, maybe you should look into it..
lol right I'm sure that "the others", we're speaking here about the the bbing fans, didn't contribute at all at his fame and fortune, and for Ronnie it was just fun and games all the times.
Grow up, do you think that Ronnie is more naive than the others rich guys in this sport, like Jay, Shawn, Levrone, Flex? Just because Ronnie has more a playful character it's not always sunny on his street. In this sport few can make decent money, so you have to be business-minded to make a decent living, so yeah, the way the fans and the industry see you it's very important if you want to be in the game. Markus Ruhl knows this very well.
Ronnie should keep his reputation and his record, not to let himself go under some newcomers who were in diapers when he started competing. If you are a real fan of someone, you wish him to be the best, not encourage him to compete and then take him down because he wasn't at the level that you expected. We'll see if I'm right after the Olympia 2010.
This should have been Ronnie's last show and then retire undefeated
Oh, and a retard I thought that was someone who can at most call names, but what do I know?
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I Want To Look Like That Guy: http://www.youtube.com/user/jasongenova
Q. What's your main motivation in making this comeback at age 46?
A. Age ain't nothing but a number! My main motivation is that this is the sport that I love and it's also my hobby. Can't a guy just enjoy his hobby and have fun with it? That's all I want to do...and of course win.
If the sport didn't demand such stringent use of enhancing drugs I would see his point.
At this stage of the game Ron is doing more harm then good to his body and reputation.
Its one thing to take hrt levels of stuff and continue to train such as guys like Draper and Nubret. But there is an expodential difference between that and the harsh realities that top level pro competing does to you.
Sorry Ron but in my honest opinion you are letting your ego get the best of you. Fans if they had any sense would encourage him to relax so he can live a more healthy and long life then to keep going.
Maybe it is me but when I look at a guy like Haney right now he looks pretty healthy and vibrant, on the other hand Ron looks tired to me.
Ones Potential is limited by the self imposed limitations, get rid of them!
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