Mike understood that an individual had individual needs, but inside, we all worked the same. . Expert Insights To Get Stronger, Gain Muscle Faster, And Take Your Lifting To The Next Level. In fact, he achieved his biggest physique during this period. 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. In this timely tribute to Mike we review his final days and next week offer an appraisal of his place in the bodybuilding firmament. The passionate, dedicated and knowledgeable bodybuilder. And yet, there were still occasions when the demons visited. Mike Mentzer was born in Pennsylvania. But Mike wouldnt listen. Is it for money? Lipscomb said that because a death occurred during the kidnaping, Greenberger and Lowe will be in prison for the rest of their lives. Mike used to say you could get full development
of a physique using his system training only one half hour a week. The Ray Mentzer bodybuilding biography is one of the sadder ones in the history of the sport. Along with Mentzer, accused of carrying out the murder. Rice Mortuary in Torrance. These guys aren't trying to earn a paycheck with their muscle, nor are they trying to win any contests. It was these three unfortunate events, combined with the continued use of amphetamines that would lead to Mike Mentzers decline. Not only is he knownas one of the greatest bodybuilders in history, but also as an action movie star, and an American politician. He would talk with me at length, and I remember those conversations with fondness, which causes me to think fondly of John Little. I remember reading the magazines at the time. Nationality. 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. William Mentzer, 42, and Alex Marti, 30, were convicted of first-degree murder. 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. He was 225 pounds, And more cut than I'd ever been. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. With this realization,Mikeswore to himself to back on track. He changed my life and my entire training routine. He was 33 years old. Once he reached that point, Ray would h 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. Both brothers lived in Redondo Beach, and they shared an apartment together. 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. While initially inspired by Bill Pearl, Mikes whole training philosophy was based on the work of Arthur Jones and HIT. United States. Almost unbelievably on going to the apartment Joanne found Ray had passed away. Freeze,The Governator,and to many of his fans justArnie. WebThe two joined a long list of high-profile bodybuilders around 30 or so major competition winners and other prominent athletes over the past three decades who have died prematurely due to drug overdoses, heart attacks and other organ failures, and cancer. The results suggest that heavy steroid users are more likely to have irregular heart function and a higher mortality rate compared to natural lifters. 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. 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 1979 IFBB Southern Pro Cup 1st Great article, but the accomplished must be revisited. Rest was crucial. 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. Building muscle gradually became a greater goal than athleticism, strength, and power. * October, 1988: Greenberger, Robert Lowe, William Mentzer and Alex Marti are arrested by sheriffs deputies and held in connection with the slaying of Radin. Then he found he was actually progressing better than before. It came to a similar conclusion: Steroid use can be a valid and significant factor in heart-related death. Prologue: Mike Mentzer died 13 years ago this month on June 10, 2001, aged 49. This biographical article relating to bodybuilding in the United States is a stub. As Workout Magazine ceased, Mike soon afterlost his beloved father, and, as if there wasnt enough for the bodybuilder to handle, his 10-year relationship with fiancee Cathy Gelfocame to an end. I Think Mike was someone worth looking up to. Ray would later become a bodybuilding legend for his vascular 20+ inch arms, and for reaching a then unthinkable 275lbs of weight. Were disappointed, but Im very thankful the jury didnt convict her of first-degree murder.. It was the last time Radin was seen alive. How to take thm, [] how about Mike Mentzer, who was around 215 lbs in this photo; would your 215 lbs look like Mike []. So you have to wonder why so many seem eager to risk their lives and health for success. WebRay Mentzer Cause of Death Sadly, Ray Mentzer would contract Berger's Disease which would lead to kidney problems that contributed to his passing. 1979 IFBB Canada Pro Cup 2nd Ray Mentzer (August 3, 1953 June 12, 2001) was the 1976 Junior Mr. America, 1978 IFBB Mr. USA and was winner of the 1979 AAU Mr. America competition. But even non-traditional sports like cricket, NASCAR, cycling, and pro-wrestling "entertainment" sports have all made headlines with various reports of PED use. There were two notable, and noble, exceptions: ex-girlfriend Julie McNew and John Little, senior writer for FLEX. This is an opinion carried by many bodybuilders today. The defense attorneys expressed dissatisfaction with some of Superior Court Judge Curtis Rappes bench rulings, and indicated that appeals are likely. Ray Mentzer (August 2, 1953 June 12, 2001) was the brother of Mike Mentzer and winner of the 1979 AAU Mr. America competition. Ray Mentzer's net worth Required fields are marked *. You just cant beat that feeling of knowing that your physique is one youve worked hard for. I looked my best, but I didnt feel at my best. Matarazzo's public callout of the negative effects of drug use may sound far fetched to some, but there's anecdotal and scientific evidence to support his belief. We hadnt spoken for over five years. He wrote that he was falling short of top spot so decided to give it up. A native of Germantown, Pennsylvania, he died of heart failure in Rolling Hills, California at the age of 1978 IFBB World Amateur Championships 1st (HW) A native of Germantown, Pennsylvania, he died of heart failure in Rolling Hills, California at the age of 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. 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. As for his protein sources, they included chicken, beef, and high-quality dairy. 4 AM: woke up and read philosophy for two hours, 9 PM: studied philosophy and dealt with mail-order administration, "I was in love with being conscious - amphetamines have that effect on a lot of people. It made me feel like a productive genius.". Coupled with an overwhelming amount of calories he ate, Ray soon reached the 250lbs mark of weight. When I came to California in 1992 the guy I most wanted to meet was Mike Mentzer. "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. He had a history of heart trouble. During this period, Ray was able to grow his physique by leaps and bounds. Ray had been ill for some time and
was a kidney dialysis patient. Id never dreamed theyd end up like they were, but Mike and Ray are genetic freaks. Your email address will not be published. At one time, training for just six weeks to prove the invalidity of the Bulgarian system, he squatted 902 pounds for 2 repetitions. It may be more accurate to say steroids don't kill people, abusing steroids kills people. Both brothers lived in Redondo Beach, and they shared an apartment together. [1] Ray's brother, Mike Mentzer won the rival IFBB Mr. America in 1976 during Ray's Junior title. WebNationality: American. Hed do squats for hours on end, together with a few other guys. And yet, as I listened to Mikes effusive language, the phrase productive genius kept on surfacing in my mind. The coroners office is investigating the deaths of two bodybuilding brothers in their 40s who died within two days of each other in their home in the exclusive neighborhood of Rolling Hills Estates. Thank You Mike. By the age of 23, Ray was a full-time competitor. However, these werent the only methods Ray used to increase his training intensity. One of these protocols included the famous Heavy Duty Training. confirmed that Arnold Schwarzenegger had a year before Mikes death called Mike to enquire about Ray Mentzers health problems, and had offered assistance. There was no obviously
apparent cause of death, but medical records indicate that he had a history
of heart problems. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease. However,two people remained and supported him; a senior writer for Flex magazine called John Little, and Mikesex-girlfriend Julie McNew. Theyd send me little pictures of themselves and all types of stuff. Of all the subject matter we ever discussed fannies were never even bottom of the list butt I put it behind me. Mentzers body was discovered by his younger brother Ray Mentzer Sunday in the apartment they shared in Redondo Beach, California. - 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). Evans, the former chief of Paramount Pictures and the producer of such hits as Chinatown and The Godfather, was not charged in the crime. 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. Arnold, despite breaking formation on several occasions and receiving a warning from the judges placed 1st. He died from kidney failure, a complication resulting from Berger's disease in Rolling Hills, California. This routine was based on doing 6-9 reps per set at the maximum weight he could lift. 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!". Died from multiple organ failure in 1996, age 32. 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. Bullshit. Sally Lipscomb said she was satisfied with the verdicts even though Greenberger and Lowe had escaped a possible death sentence. His early use of amphetamines to make him productive, the passing of his father and the gradual rejection of the bodybuilding community were all major contributing factors to his decline. RIP Mike. However, Mentzer was just getting warmed up. WebThere was no obviously apparent cause of death, but medical records indicate that he had a history of heart problems. WebA native of Germantown, Pennsylvania, he died of heart failure in Rolling Hills, California at the age of forty-nine. He was called as a witness during the preliminary hearing but refused to testify, claiming 5th Amendment protection against self-incrimination. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Ray Mentzer. He has lived along the levees of the Sacramento Delta, the Powell-Hyde Street cable car line and the shaded streets of Pasadena. As reported at some length in the June 14th, 2001 edition
of the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles County coroner's office is currently
investigating the deaths of bodybuilding brothers Mike and Ray Mentzer,
who died within two days of each other. 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. in Community Counseling,Ph.D. He was a millionaire by 20 and lived lavishly in a mansion on Long Island. Id answer them back. may have contributed, there was a history of heart disease in the Mentzer family - all of them died fairly young. Mike had a heart attack during his sleep. Personal Trainer, Researcher, Author, Inventor Gym Owner, Doctor, Physical Therapist, Strength & Conditioning Specialist. The Ray Mentzer story is one of success, but also tragedy. And Mike wasnt joking. Ray Menzer was born in August 1953, in Pennsylvania, USA. He always knew what he wanted and worked hard for it. Ray Mentzers income source is mostly from being a successful . 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. He started dieting in February for the October contest. As Mike wrestled with his demons, the bodybuilding community, to its discredit, took a detached stance toward his circumstances. However, things didn't progress the way Mike had hoped, and after six months, he and Jones severed their business relationship. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Outperform yourself, make gains, and enjoy the process. The jurors were ordered not to speak about the case until the penalty phase is concluded. Greatest Physiques is the number 1 destination for the best looking bodies on the planet. One year later, he achieved same in the AAU Mr. America show. He just scratched the surface with that physique. We cover professional athletes, models and even social media stars to bring you the very best, up to date information in our profiles. Greenberger showed little emotion and was escorted by deputies from the courtroom soon after the verdicts were read. Rather than wallow in the dark aspects of Ray's death, it would be better to look towards his interesting life instead. He began competing in the most elite shows around America, making a name for himself in the process. He published numerous fitness-themed books, including Heavy Duty Nutrition and High-Intensity Training the Mike Mentzer Way. 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. Required fields are marked *. 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. 7 Things No One Tells You Before You Start Lifting, Tip: Avoid Xenoestrogens and Phytoestrogens, Tip: Surround Yourself With These 5 People. Lived: 78 years. Discover Ray Mentzer's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. One of the greatest of all time in my opinion. In the last 15 years, roughly one in five wrestler deaths were connected to recreational drug overdose. 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. It was me that was out of control, not everybody and everything else. When he signed my book I was in AWE! He was unopposed). In 1982, after years of competing, Mike decided to step down from his competitive career and focus on new endeavors. * 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. 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. We have estimated A 2014 study looked into a connection between anabolic steroids and cardiovascular function. Take a look. However, Mike was still able to take care of his younger brother. 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. Twice during his prep Mike awoke to find himself, "at death's door." I wanted the magazine to be the absolute best I could make it, and I worked harder than I'd worked in my entire life. In short, man can and ought to be a hero.. In the midst of the chaos that day, Ray completely forgot that he needed to turn up for his kidney dialysis treatment. 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. cycle, and energy level (where Vit. "Julie, even though our relationship had ended, was very supportive, emotionally and financially, over that whole five-year period," Mike states. With steroids, there's use, there's misuse, and there's abuse, and they're very different things. Mike was 49 and Ray was 47. Mike Mentzer is one of the classic bodybuilders of the early years. I saw no problem for me because I was convinced I was focused enough and that my use was channeled in a positive direction. [Mike had taken a three year course, commencing in 1974, at the University of Mayland, with the eventual goal of being a psychiatrist , but he dropped out in 1977 disillusioned with the subject. And indeed there were warning signs about his health. Check regularly for the latest, Greatest Physiques. Mohammed Benaziza: Seven total Grand Prix wins in 1990 and 1992, 1st place at the 1990 Night of Champions (beating He enjoyed the work, but he relied upon amphetamines to meet deadlines, on occasion staying awake for two or three days straight. WebI watched Mike Mentzer's star rise in the '70s and later came to know him a little. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 2 August. It just didnt feel like a normal contest; no one was being their usual self. So, how much is Ray Mentzer worth at the age of 48 years old? 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. I need to know the steroid cycle. In her testimony, Greenberger said Evans had nothing to do with Radins death. "I looked my best, but I didn't feel at my best. With 900-lbs squatted for 2 reps, Ray was one of the, if not the strongest bodybuilder during his prime. Ray Mentzer (left) and Mike Mentzer (right) posing. in Phychology,BSN in Nursing, now 16 year old son will compete in Teen Mr. Mississippi in July! Sadly, Ray Mentzer would contract Berger's Disease which would lead to kidney problems that contributed to his passing. Greenberger, 43, and Robert Lowe, 44, were convicted of second-degree murder and kidnaping, requiring an automatic life sentence without possibility of parole. * 1987: About 4 1/2 years after the murder, sheriffs investigators receive first major break in the case when they are introduced to William Rider, former brother-in-law and security supervisor for Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt. * November, 1990: Trial begins for the four defendants. 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. 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. Death record, obituary, funeral notice and information about the deceased person. The following morning, on the 10th of June 2001, Ray found that his brother would never wake up. The weight would be so heavy that by the 9th rep, Ray would reach failure. A handful never even saw 35. Within a few days of leaving thehospital, he approachedGolds Gym, Venice, and convinced them to let him start up as a personal trainer. Despite his younger brother insisting he took a break. While hospitalized it was discovered that he had experienced two silent heart attacks, wherein the victim is unaware theres a problem. To care for him, Mikemoved in with Ray, and the two grew closer over the following years. For five years Mike did crazy things and was regularly hospitalized. CLICK HERE! Fame? 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 two moved in together in an apartment, which saw them grow closer over the following months. Later, as his bodybuilding progressed, he would move to take between4-7 days rest in between workouts. Your email address will not be published. 1976 IFBB Mr. Universe 2nd (MW) * Convicted of second-degree murder and kidnaping. Mike would often keep his training week down to 3 working days with 4 for rest. He started dieting in February for the October contest. Originally, Mike's body was sent to a funeral home in nearby
Torrance. Edit: two DAYS not years, my b He was declared dead Monday, about 24 hours after his brother died. Matarazzo had triple-bypass open heart surgery at 38, a heart attack at 41, and died at age 47 while waiting for a heart transplant. Mikes typical training split would look something like this: Dont underestimate the value of a well-balanced diet. We will update Ray Mentzer's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. In 1999, Ray started kidney If you knew these seven things about lifting or bodybuilding beforehand, would you even bother walking into a gym? Lowe claimed that Greenberger and Evans paid for a contract hit against Radin. I dont see anyone beating him through the early eighties. For the answer to that question stay tuned for next weeks story. * Convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances, subject to the death penalty. Ray Mentzer and Mike Mentzer flexing together on a beach. He would also become a bodybuilding legend for his 20+ inch arms and the ability to squat in excess of 900lbs for 2 repetitions. Almost miraculously, within a few days, he was establishing his personal-training business at Gold's Gym, Venice. Mentzer was also dealing with the fallout caused by the ending of his near decade relationship with Cathy Gelfo. On top of this, Rays strength also increased. He is currently single. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley with a degree in English. Its been so many years and of course, you lose hope. Your email address will not be published. I'd put 110% into the enterprise and it hadn't worked out.". Two days later, Ray died from complications from his long battle with Berger's disease. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a40bbc091972361b92bafe047762c2f0" );document.getElementById("de63bbf7bd").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Mike certainly had a great mind for bodybuilding.