I remember reading the magazines at the time. Then his brother died two DAYS later at age 47. Some top pros almost reach 50, but even less get to 55 without a major health scare. Although he was no longer under the spotlight of the bodybuilding stage, Ray kept training hard behind the curtains. Achieving lower body fat with a higher body weight meant packing on more muscle. And the more that look was rewarded, the more competitors pursued it. Great profile! The jury, which had been deliberating since July 10, reached their decisions Friday. After a day of shooting, Ray turned These manmade and naturally occurring compounds can make you less of a man. He won the Mr. Olympia title in 1979. Jones was an accomplished trainer, and inventor of many of the early exercise machines he began training Mike, firmly believing in the teens potential. He has lived along the levees of the Sacramento Delta, the Powell-Hyde Street cable car line and the shaded streets of Pasadena. During a check-up, Mike discovered that he had severe heart issues, which meant that the kidney transplant was off the table. In her testimony, Greenberger said Evans had nothing to do with Radins death. He enjoyed the work, but he relied upon amphetamines to meet deadlines, on occasion staying awake for two or three days straight. You just cant beat that feeling of knowing that your physique is one youve worked hard for. The first and obvious choice for Rays kidney transplant was his brother, Mike. Along with Mentzer, accused of carrying out the murder. Not 48 hours later, Ray was found dead in his apartment losing his battle against Bergers Disease. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. Champion bodybuilders are known only to the relatively-small community who follow this fringe sport. Many have felt that steroids had contributed to the deaths of both brothers but this truly is speculation. In enthusiastic tones Mike told me he looked forward to celebrating his 50th birthday in November. Ray's brother, Mike Mentzer won the rival IFBB Mr. America in 1976 during Ray's Junior title. . Ray retired from active competition in 1982 and started training other champions. And would these competitors have lived much longer without using them? There was a strain and tension in the air all the way through. Another great influencer of Mikes was a Russian-American novelist, philosopher, and play writer namedAyn Rand. And even grimmer component of Ray Mentzer's life was the fact that he died tragically only two days after the unexpected death of his famous brother. It was these three unfortunate events, combined with the continued use of amphetamines that would lead to Mike Mentzers decline. It seemed the curtain had come crashing down in tragic Shakespearian style on Mike Mentzers last act and his name would fade into just a footnote on 20, 2013 NPC Steve Stone New York Metropolitan, 2013 NPC National Bodybuilding Championships, 2014 NPC Steve Stone New York Metropolitan, Myostatin, Creatine and Wine - But Not All at Once, Physicians and Bodybuilders - Satellite Cells. Bill spoke fondly of both Mike and his brother; Mike and Ray Mentzer used to write to me when they were young kids back in Pennsylvania, when Ray was 9 years old and Mike was 11 years old. I hoped and expected for acquittal, said Edward Shohat, Greenbergers attorney. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. In fact, he achieved his biggest physique during this period. However, given the suspicious circumstances of the deaths of two
brothers dying within two days of each other, the remains of both Mike and
Ray have been sent to the coroner's office in order to determine cause of
death. The mortician said that Raymond Mentzer, who suffered from kidney problems and had been undergoing dialysis treatments, appeared very shaken by his brothers 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. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley with a degree in English. Couldnt do Tom Bradys huh?!! Ray Mentzer and Mike Mentzer flexing together on a beach. In the early '90s, bodybuilding saw a significant shift in "the ideal" physique. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease. * Another ex-Flynt bodyguard. * October, 1988: Greenberger, Robert Lowe, William Mentzer and Alex Marti are arrested by sheriffs deputies and held in connection with the slaying of Radin. We may be able to send a man to the moon, he said later, but when it comes to recognizing the rightful winner of the 1980 Olympiad, mankind is surely arrested in its development., Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles, Winter storms ease drought conditions in California, report shows, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids, Best coffee city in the world? He begantraining 3 times a week and bythe age of 15, Mikecould bench press 370lb (170kg), with a body weight of just165lbs (75kg). Ashley Dunn is the former weekend editor at the Los Angeles Times. Known for his feats at the 1978 IFBB Mr. USA and 1979s, Ray was a sight to be seen during his prime. For five years Mike did crazy things and was regularly hospitalized. RIP. He was obsessed with the thought of making movies. I dont see anyone beating him through the early eighties. Mike Mentzer placed 5th. He had a history of heart trouble. * 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. Later that day, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was believed to be retired, announced his intentions to compete at the event. Mike bodybuilding idol from a young age was Bill Pearl. 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. Q: Where is Mike Mentzer buried? Her attorney argued during the trial that Greenberger had been framed for the murder by Milan Bellechesses, a Miami drug dealer and another Greenberger paramour who suspected Radin of stealing drugs. This would require a weight that would take you to failure in between 6 and 9 reps. Then, once you hit failure, keep going. It just didnt feel like a normal contest; no one was being their usual self. In January 1990 a hospitalized Mike experienced a Eureka moment. Carrier said neither body has been examined, so the causes of death have not been determined. WebTo compound the loss of Mike, on June 11th, at approximately 9:00 PM, Ray died in his sleep. He passed away less than 48 hours after Mike had died, leaving the bodybuilding world shrouded in black. It was a crushing blow. The body of Mike Mentzer, age 49, was discovered by his brother
Ray on Sunday, June 10th, at the home they shared together in the vincinity
of the Rolling Hills Estates area of Los Angeles. Rather than wallow in the dark aspects of Ray's death, it would be better to look towards his interesting life instead. Later that night at the brothers apartment, despite Ray telling him he should turn in, Mike continued to work on the DVDs script. He was unopposed). In the 1970s, Michael Mentzer created shock waves in the bodybuilding industry by preaching the notion that seven-day-a-week training was unnecessary. He contracted Bergers disease. Is it for money? Dont make the same mistake.. Within a few days of leaving thehospital, he approachedGolds Gym, Venice, and convinced them to let him start up as a personal trainer. With 900-lbs squatted for 2 reps, Ray was one of the, if not the strongest bodybuilder during his prime. In the year 1985 he claimed; 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. 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. I wasnt in control of my mind although I thought he was.. Nationality. I saw him in person in 1979 in Baton Rouge, at a book signing,The Mentzer Method to Fitness. The improvements Ray saw in his physique soon paid off. 1979 IFBB Night of Champions 3rd Sadly, Ray Mentzer would contract Berger's Disease which would lead to kidney problems that contributed to his passing. Rice said that although Michael Mentzer had appeared robust, his medical records showed that he had a history of coronary-related problems.. For Ray, his brother's death was a great tragedy. Previously, he had started dieting 12 weeks out. One of the greatest of all time in my opinion. But the next morning, he was back to "being a productive genius. How Mike Mentzer Died: Cause of Death, Age at Death, and More! - Celebs Who Died How Mike Mentzer Died: Cause of Death, Age at Death, and More! Mike Mentzer reached the not so modest age of 49 years. Find out the cause of death and more exciting information regarding the death of this famous Bodybuilder. It just didn't feel like a normal contest; no one was being their usual self. Check out our top rated fat burners to find out what actually works. 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. ", The warning signs were there. To his credit John visited Mike and the psychotic episode was soon over. 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. Id put 110% into the enterprise and it hadnt worked out.. This is an opinion carried by many bodybuilders today. CLICK HERE! Ray was on the waiting list for a transplant, and the obvious choice was his 21-month older brother Mike. Mike did not get his ideas from Jones. 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. This may have been a bad move, as 2 years after the blacklisting, Mikehad virtually no income. A 2012 report from the American Journal of Cardiology reviewed nearly 50 different studies looking at the effects of anabolic steroids and cardiovascular/metabolic function. I was 19 years old,me and 2 friends drove from Carrollton,Ms to Baton Rouge to see him. Our exclusive interview with Val Segal, the person who spent the last hours with Mike and Ray Mentzer! As Im certain you know, it is very difficult to have great muscle memory retention (and probably thus the shoulder injury he dealt with early on) if you go that long in total resting states. He was a millionaire by 20 and lived lavishly in a mansion on Long Island. In 2014, the Public Library of Science published a report investigating the mortality rate among active pro wrestlers. According to our Database, He has no children. 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. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Ray Mentzer. Ray and co. would lift extremely heavy weights, taking long breaks between sets. Take a look. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. how to use them. However, year also marked his worstdefeat; 10th place at the AAU Mr. America. may have contributed, there was a history of heart disease in the Mentzer family - all of them died fairly young. The brash and ambitious Radin had made his name in New York by producing a series of successful vaudeville revivals and police union benefits. Greatest Physiques is the number 1 destination for the best looking bodies on the planet. One of these protocols included the famous Heavy Duty Training. Check out our guide to protein-rich foods to help you on your way - a completely new fitness level is just around the corner. Along with more protein than 22%. He left Weider publications, and by 1982, his annual income "Had gone from $200,000 a year to zero.". His head was peppered with gunshot wounds. Bodybuilding.com's authors include many of the top coaches, nutritionists, and physique athletes in the world today. One year earlier, in 1979 Mike had started using amphetamines. A native of Germantown, Pennsylvania, he died of heart failure in Rolling Hills, California at the age of 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. Kaiserman said he will file an appeal after Lowes sentencing Aug. 16, basing the appeal in part on Rappes decision to allow prosecutors to use secretly taped conversations among several defendants as evidence. Bullshit. He had suffered a heart attack in his sleep. Though the football players were, not surprisingly, associated with significantly higher rates of neurological and musculoskeletal disease. 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. We know that PEDs are widespread in professional sports like baseball, football soccer, and MMA. The Heavy Duty, as he became known was born and raised in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. Once he reached that point, Ray would h . Arnold Schwarzenegger - He's been named the Austrian Oak, The Terminator,John Matrix, Mr. The Ray Mentzer story is one of success, but also tragedy. His theories and writings continue to be a source for debate, and his books and articles remain popular (see www.mikementzer.com). On June 9th, 2001, Ray and Mike were working on their new training DVD calledHIT. When he signed my book I was in AWE! Mike Mentzers life was certainly not one without tragedy. Hoe to get them. Hed do squats for hours on end, together with a few other guys. A handful never even saw 35. Those who misuse AAS are those who'd get results from healthy eating and lifting. Mikes form would be kept absolutely perfect. Many bodybuilders sell themselves short. Joe Weider rehired Mike in the fall of that year, but after six months, Mentzer left to assume the editorship of Workout, a newly launched magazine. Compiled by Times researcher Michael Meyers. One of Rays biggest influences in bodybuilding was Bill Pearl. United States. Heavy Duty Training revolved around doing extremely intense exercises in a short period of time. June 21, 1995 . Three months after his death, it was found that June 12, 2001, Died Place. Goldman consistently found that the majority of athletes would eagerly accept the deal. Freeze,The Governator,and to many of his fans justArnie. Almost miraculously, within a few days, he was establishing his personal-training business at Gold's Gym, Venice. He died from kidney failure, a complication resulting from Berger's disease in Rolling Hills, California. 1979 IFBB Florida Pro Invitational 1st 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. His physique was a blockbuster and he later won the contest. Thanks for the info, weve now added Ayn Rand into Mikes idols and influences section. Ray went to bed. Not only is he knownas one of the greatest bodybuilders in history, but also as an action movie star, and an American politician. There were two notable, and noble, exceptions: ex-girlfriend Julie McNew and John Little, senior writer for FLEX. Discover Ray Mentzer's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Everything I did was marshaled into the spirit of improvement. * June 10, 1983: New York theatrical producer Roy Radins decomposed body is found near Hungry Valley Road in northeast Los Angeles County nearly a month after he was last seen getting into a limousine with Karen Greenberger on May 13. However, these werent the only methods Ray used to increase his training intensity. "If they want more definition, I'll give 'em more definition," he vowed. This
approach has always been considered controversial and is contradicted by
a great deal of exercise physiology reasearch. The two brothers dying within 48 hours of each other shocked the bodybuilding world. It is only within the context of having properly developed your mind that you will be able to truly enjoy the achievement of your material values, including that of a more muscular body.. This is where things started going downhill. The fact that anabolic steroids were finding their way into gyms in the 1960s was no coincidence. This routine was based on doing 6-9 reps per set at the maximum weight he could lift. Ray Mentzer was born on 2 August, 1953 in Pennsylvania, United States. He was a judges favorite, andmany competitors believed with his new fame he could win purely on popularity. Later that night at the brothers apartment, despite Ray telling him he should turn in, Mike continued to work on the DVDs script. Lowe claimed that Greenberger and Evans paid for a contract hit against Radin. Coupled with an overwhelming amount of calories he ate, Ray soon reached the 250lbs mark of weight. 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. Your email address will not be published. The weight would be so heavy that by the 9th rep, Ray would reach failure. Then he found he was actually progressing better than before. 1977 IFBB North American Championships 1st (Overall) But Mike wouldnt listen. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 48 years old? This meant the transplant was off the table, and Ray would have to wait longer. The weight would be so heavy that by the 9th rep, Ray would reach failure. The day before, both he and brother Ray were working on a fitness DVD titled HIT. He always knew what he wanted and worked hard for it. If you knew these seven things about lifting or bodybuilding beforehand, would you even bother walking into a gym? Prior to his career at The Times, Dunn worked at the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, the Danbury News-Times in Connecticut and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. These guys aren't trying to earn a paycheck with their muscle, nor are they trying to win any contests. A typical excerpt from Mike's diary during that period reads as follows. Lowes attorney, Mark Kaiserman, said he also was disappointed in the verdicts and vowed to appeal. To gain further insight into Mikes 2001 death, it is necessary to turn the clock back 21 years. in Community Counseling,Ph.D. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. However, during much of Mike's
career bodybuilders overtrained badly - some working out twice a day, six
days a week - so his ideas did contribute to restoring a certain balance
in the volume of training done by serious bodybuilders. 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. By the morning of the contest he had recovered. 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. It came to a similar conclusion: Steroid use can be a valid and significant factor in heart-related death. WebJerry Brainum on the Demise of Mike and Ray Mentzer Leo and Longevity 120K subscribers Subscribe 490 Share 21K views 2 years ago In this clip from the longer interview of At one time, training for just six weeks to prove the invalidity of the Bulgarian system, he squatted 902 pounds for 2 repetitions. READ OTHER ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE IN THE MCGOUGH REPORT, Mike Mentzer died 13 years ago this month on June 10, 2001, aged 49. "I was consumed 24 hours a day by the thought: To find out what went down at the 1980 Mr. Olympia including the near fist fight between Mentzer and Schwarzenegger click on, http://www.musculardevelopment.com/team-md-blogs/the-mcgough-report/11982-mentzer-vs-arnie.html#.U47ZXCh93oD, 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. Shohat, Greenbergers attorney, said the verdict of second-degree murder showed that the jury did not believe Greenberger was the driving force behind Radins killing. 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. For the record, we now know Arnold was terrific when Ray fell ill and offered his personal help and support. Mikes younger brother Ray, who was thewinner of the 1979s Mr. America began receiving kidney dialysis in 1999. BOTH were winners of the coveted Mr. America title. P.S. As he waited for the kidney transplant, Ray discovered that his brother Mike had serious heart issues which led to Mikes death on June 10th, 2001. He would talk with me at length, and I remember those conversations with fondness, which causes me to think fondly of John Little. To get back in the action, Mike entered1975 IFBB Mr. America to see where he stood. His progress over the next few years was onward and upward. There was a strain and tension in the air all the way through.. He changed my life and my entire training routine. Mike Mentzers training style developed from HIT, High-Intensity Training that was founded by Arthur Jones in the 70s. The judge went way out on a limb and hes going to be in for a big fall if hes wrong, Kaiserman said. A 2014 study looked into a connection between anabolic steroids and cardiovascular function.