In January 1990 a hospitalized Mike experienced a Eureka moment. Greenberger showed little emotion and was escorted by deputies from the courtroom soon after the verdicts were read. Mikes story is one of tragedy, but also of redemption and dedication. He did this at the University of Maryland however in 1977 Mike dropped out, realizing the subject wasnt for him. He begantraining 3 times a week and bythe age of 15, Mikecould bench press 370lb (170kg), with a body weight of just165lbs (75kg). 1979 IFBB Southern Pro Cup 1st 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. Hed do squats for hours on end, together with a few other guys. Try to find a dozen healthy IFBB pros who successfully competed in the '90s. He is not dating anyone. One of the core principles of Rays training was doing low reps and heavy weight. Ray Menzter, age 47, was reportedly very shaken up by the 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. 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. This biographical article relating to bodybuilding in the United States is a stub. 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. Mentzers body was discovered by his younger brother Ray Mentzer Sunday in the apartment they shared in Redondo Beach, California. Burt In 1983, he continued to train and ended growing to 250lbs on his very small frame. When I came to California in 1992 the guy I most wanted to meet was Mike Mentzer. If theres something to learn from Ray Mentzer, it would be; never take life for granted, make every day count, and dont spend time doing something you dont love lifes too short for that. RIP. He became a professional bodybuilder after that 1978 Universe win. While initially inspired by Bill Pearl, Mikes whole training philosophy was based on the work of Arthur Jones and HIT. He was destined not to make it. 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 20th century bodybuilding .. or would it? Greenberger introduced Radin to Evans and together they struck a deal to finance The Cotton Club.. He had suffered a heart attack in his sleep. He was called as a witness during the preliminary hearing but refused to testify, claiming 5th Amendment protection against self-incrimination. That same year his father - whom he idolized - died. At one time, training for just six weeks to prove the invalidity of the Bulgarian system, he squatted 902 pounds for 2 repetitions. may have contributed, there was a history of heart disease in the Mentzer family - all of them died fairly young. Click Here for the interview we did with Mike Mentzer just before he died. In the 1970s, Michael Mentzer created shock waves in the bodybuilding industry by preaching the notion that seven-day-a-week training was unnecessary. What could possibly be better than a well-balanced diet, which covers all of your nutritional needs.. Ray and co. would lift extremely heavy weights, taking long breaks between sets. The information presented on this website is intended to be used for educational purposes only. The fact that anabolic steroids were finding their way into gyms in the 1960s was no coincidence. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. At 48 years old, Ray Mentzer height not available right now. 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. Nationality. Later that night at the brothers apartment, despite Ray telling him he should turn in, Mike continued to work on the DVDs script. Ray Mentzer (August 2, 1953 June 12, 2001) was the brother of Mike Mentzer and winner of the 1979 AAU Mr. America competition. All rights reserved. I remember reading the magazines at the time. 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 would talk with me at length, and I remember those conversations with fondness, which causes me to think fondly of John Little. The first and obvious choice for Rays kidney transplant was his brother, Mike. please email me info@trulyhuge.com or call me at 1-503-648-1898. Plot #17067587. His theories and writings continue to be a source for debate, and his books and articles remain popular (see www.mikementzer.com). In 1999, after going to a check-up at the doctors, Ray received terrible news. * July 22, 1991: Jury, which began deliberations July 10, convicts Greenberger and Lowe of second-degree murder and kidnaping and convicts Mentzer and Marti of first-degree murder and kidnaping. 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.. 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. 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. He quickly fell in love with the iron and began sculpting his body. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. Dont tell me about all this bullshit working out. Ray died just two days after discovering his brother Mike Mentzer's body in the same apartment due to heart failure.[2]. He later was named to run science coverage. Ray had to wait for another donor. Greenberger called Mentzer the murderer. 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. I was 19 years old,me and 2 friends drove from Carrollton,Ms to Baton Rouge to see him. 1979 IFBB Florida Pro Invitational 1st One of the greatest of all time in my opinion. I Think Mike was someone worth looking up to. In 2014, the Public Library of Science published a report investigating the mortality rate among active pro wrestlers. On Tuesday, Rice telephoned the Mentzer home in a small unincorporated district surrounded by Rolling Hills Estates. - 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). Greatest Physiques is the number 1 destination for the best looking bodies on the planet. His theories and writings continue to be a source for debate, and his books and articles remain popular (see, Mike told me he looked forward to celebrating his 50, Entering his first Olympia in his rookie year of 1979 the heavily fancied Mike lost out to a. loss, Mike planned to leave no stone unturned in his onslaught for the 1980 Olympia crown. In enthusiastic tones Mike told me he looked forward to celebrating his 50th birthday in November. A case of riseand fall. WebA: Mike Mentzer's cause of death was heart complications. Would you accept this deal? Ray and Mike Mentzer were probably the most legendary bodybuilding brothers of all time. Mike Mentzer died on Sunday, June 10th, 2001. 1979 IFBB Night of Champions 3rd 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. But you watch. However, Mike had not competed for 21 years and Ray for 19 years. Ashley Dunn is the former weekend editor at the Los Angeles Times. After failing to turn up to a dialysis session, Ray too, was found dead in the same apartment, not 48 hours later. It was me that was out of control, not everybody and everything else. In short, man can and ought to be a hero.. During a check-up, Mike discovered that he had severe heart issues, which meant that the kidney transplant was off the table. Id never dreamed theyd end up like they were, but Mike and Ray are genetic freaks. He was a millionaire by 20 and lived lavishly in a mansion on Long Island. The younger Mentzer was devastated as he went about making funeral arrangements. Ray died just two days after discovering his brother Mike Mentzer's dead body in the very same apartment due to heart failure. 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. 06/28/01 - New information on this tragedy can be found. 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. Mike Mentzers life was certainly not one without tragedy. workouts. Ray believed that by increasing the time under tension with these methods, hed improve his muscle growth. 7 Things No One Tells You Before You Start Lifting, Tip: Avoid Xenoestrogens and Phytoestrogens, Tip: Surround Yourself With These 5 People. One of these protocols included the famous Heavy Duty Training. 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. But the next morning, he was back to "being a productive genius. 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. Both brothers had a history of health problems, including heart problems. While steroids, amphetamines, smoking, etc. A 2014 study looked into a connection between anabolic steroids and cardiovascular function. Not only is he knownas one of the greatest bodybuilders in history, but also as an action movie star, and an American politician. ", 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. He previously served as assistant managing editor in charge of California news. His forte was his strength literally. 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. Mike believed that bodybuilders do not need the levels of protein they were sold by magazines. Please consult with your own physician or health care practitioner regarding any suggestions and recommendations made. "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. Ive seen this sort of thing happen before, but not very often, said Scott Carrier, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County coroners office. "Julie, even though our relationship had ended, was very supportive, emotionally and financially, over that whole five-year period," Mike states. 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. Prologue: Mike Mentzer died 13 years ago this month on June 10, 2001, aged 49. 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. And yet, as I listened to Mikes effusive language, the phrase productive genius kept on surfacing in my mind. Monday morning, June 11, 2001, an e-mail was sent to us saying that Mike Mentzer has passed away June 9th. Ray, his brother, who is also suffering from illnesses, found him. To compound the loss of Mike, on June 11th, at approximately 9:00 PM, Ray died in his sleep. Ray suffered from kidney failure caused by Berger's Disease. 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. According to the prosecution, the deal began to come apart when Greenberger felt she was being cut out of the profits. Ray Mentzer didnt share the same opinion. Almost unbelievably on going to the apartment Joanne found Ray had passed away. 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. Stutter reps increased the duration of each set by over 20 seconds. 1977 IFBB Mr. Universe 2nd (HW) The following morning, on the 10th of June 2001, Ray found that his brother would never wake up. He was always in the shadow of his more famous brother, bodybuilding legend Mike Mentzer, despite the fact that Ray was an excellent champion in his own right with a competitive physique that did help him capture various titles. BOTH were winners of the coveted Mr. America title. In 1971, Mike suffered a severe shoulder injury that puta long-term pauseon histraining. 1980 IFBB Mr. Olympia 5th. I was a productive genius, but I had lost sight of the fact that the body and the mind have limitations. As for his protein sources, they included chicken, beef, and high-quality dairy. 1975 IFBB Mr. America 3rd (Medium) Mike Mentzer was born on the 15th of November, 1951. A native of Germantown, Pennsylvania, he died of heart failure in Rolling Hills, California at the age of Ray had been ill for some time and was a kidney dialysis patient. It made me feel like a productive genius.". "John Little was one of the few who didn't approach me on the ignorant assumption that I was a 'loony' or a 'crazy.' He would talk with me at length, and I remember those conversations with fondness, which causes me to think fondly of John Little. I saw him in person in 1979 in Baton Rouge, at a book signing,The Mentzer Method to Fitness. 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. Check out our top rated fat burners to find out what actually works. Mike Mentzer won the Mr. Universe title in 1978 and the heavyweight division of the Mr. Olympia contest in 1979. "Editing Workout was one of the most enjoyable things I've ever done," Mike claims. But, after soul searching, hospital visits and a help from a few close friends, he came back. P.S. 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. As Bill Pettis put it; Ray is one of the strongest bodybuilders I have ever seen in my life.. So you have to wonder why so many seem eager to risk their lives and health for success. Though the football players were, not surprisingly, associated with significantly higher rates of neurological and musculoskeletal disease. Your email address will not be published. It was a respectable comeback, coming in at a modest 3rd place, after Roger Callard, and The Black Prince, Robby Robinson. Ray followed a similar training style to his brother Mike; it was called Heavy Duty Training. ..on June 11th at approximately 9:00 PM, Ray Mentzer died in his sleep. Death record, obituary, funeral notice and information about the deceased person. Thanks for the info, weve now added Ayn Rand into Mikes idols and influences section. RIP Mike. But in the years prior to his drastic physical decline, Matarazzo was one of the few pros who talked openly about what he felt was the underlying cause the level of anabolic steroids and related drugs necessary to become a top-ranked pro. 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. WebMentzer died on June 10, 2001 in Rolling Hills, California. He changed my life and my entire training routine. Thank You Mike. The latter are the lifters who generally end up as statistics. He was so fatigued that he couldn't even raise his arms, and had to stay in bed for the remainder of the day. The defense attorneys expressed dissatisfaction with some of Superior Court Judge Curtis Rappes bench rulings, and indicated that appeals are likely. 1978 IFBB USA vs the World 1st (HW) Here's where they're hiding. * 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. Prosecution claimed she was mastermind behind Radins murder but could not prove it. 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. He also made similar calls to Joe Weider and photographer Chris Lund, with whom he had worked on books and other projects. There was a strain and tension in the air all the way through. Within a few days of leaving thehospital, he approachedGolds Gym, Venice, and convinced them to let him start up as a personal trainer. With this realization,Mikeswore to himself to back on track. Discover Ray Mentzer's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. However, Mike was still able to take care of his younger brother. There were two notable, and noble, exceptions: ex-girlfriend Julie McNew and John Little, senior writer for FLEX. 1976 IFBB Mr. America 1st (Overall) Some top pros almost reach 50, but even less get to 55 without a major health scare. Id put 110% into the enterprise and it hadnt worked out.. The Heavy Duty, as he became known was born and raised in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. The next morning he discovered Mike dead in bed, apparently of a heart attack. He was known for being a Bodybuilder. Ray went to bed. Mike Mentzer died on Sunday, June 10th, 2001. To gain further insight into Mikes 2001 death, it is necessary to turn the clock back 21 years. However, things didn't progress the way Mike had hoped, and after six months, he and Jones severed their business relationship. Rice said that although Michael Mentzer had appeared robust, his medical records showed that he had a history of coronary-related problems.. Mike would often keep his training week down to 3 working days with 4 for rest. Ray Mentzer and Mike Mentzer flexing together on a beach. 2 GIANT TIPS that can SUPERCHARGE your workouts! Mentzer was also dealing with the fallout caused by the ending of his near decade relationship with Cathy Gelfo. 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. 1976 IFBB Mr. America 1st (Medium) 1977 IFBB North American Championships 1st (Overall) However, things didn't progress the way Mike had hoped, and after six months, he and Jones severed their business relationship. It was these three unfortunate events, combined with the continued use of amphetamines that would lead to Mike Mentzers decline. He has a daughter who was born in 1986. Although he wasnt stage-level-ripped, Rays gigantic and muscular frame was a sight to be seen. We know that PEDs are widespread in professional sports like baseball, football soccer, and MMA. After making funeral arrangements for his brother, Ray Mentzer's body was found in bed at the apartment. He had a history of heart trouble. Patent on Dorsi Flexor,AD in Biology,BS in Psychology,M.Ed. And Mike wasnt joking. We cover professional athletes, models and even social media stars to bring you the very best, up to date information in our profiles. By the 45th minute mark, he was completely exhausted and his muscles were ready for recovery. She was his biggest influence. . After a day of shooting, Ray turned Rolling Hills, California, United States. In her testimony in April, Greenberger denied that she was involved in the murder, saying that her ex-lover, Mentzer, killed Radin on the orders of Bellechesses. Greenberger, Mentzer, Marti and Lowe were arrested in 1988--five years after Radins body was found by a beekeeper in a desolate canyon 65 miles north of Los Angeles. Mike bodybuilding idol from a young age was Bill Pearl. In 1971, Mikewon his first competition, the Mr. Lancaster at the age of 18. "If they want more definition, I'll give 'em more definition," he vowed. So more accurate reporting would be to identify them as "former bodybuilders. June 21, 1995 . The weight would be so heavy that by the 9th rep, Ray would reach failure. Except this time, things were different. At a bodyweight of a then unthinkable 250 plus pounds, he added even more muscle within a month. The weight would be so heavy that by the 9th rep, Ray would reach failure. Discover the cheat that athletes use to cut fat quickly and get defined muscles. 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. But Mike wouldnt listen. 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. Your email address will not be published. In the early '90s, bodybuilding saw a significant shift in "the ideal" physique. All rights reserved. He enjoyed the work, but he relied upon amphetamines to meet deadlines, on occasion staying awake for two or three days straight. At least do light reps a couple of those days for arms, delts, lats, upper legs, abs. 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. Ray was troubled by this because he knew his brother had heart problems, and didnt want him to overtax his body. Twice during his prep Mike awoke to find himself, "at death's door." Using a spotter, often his younger brother Ray, Mikewould go on to perform 2-3 forced reps, as negatives (lowering the weight slowly) beyond the point of muscle failure. Mike battled his demons for 5 years and was admitted to hospital on several occasions. He was found dead in his apartment, due to heart complications, by his younger brother and fellow bodybuilder Ray Mentzer. This routine was based on doing 6-9 reps per set at the maximum weight he could lift. Tragically, Ray died just 2 days later, after missing his kidney dialysis treatment. Q: Where is Mike Mentzer buried? 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. Mike wouldnt pick up a weight until 1975, but when he finally did, Mikecame back with full force. WebNationality: American. There was a strain and tension in the air all the way through.. Mentzer, Marti and Lowe were bodyguards for Flynt at the time they met Greenberger. Anyhow, thats what I recall him writing in the Weider mag. She said she was pleased that her brothers killers had finally been brought to justice. Los Angeles County sheriffs investigators had all but ended their investigation of Radins murder, but a break came in 1987 when they met William Rider, the brother-in-law and onetime security chief for Larry Flynt, publisher of Hustler magazine. Prologue:Mike Mentzer died 13 years ago this month on June 10, 2001, aged 49. I dont need the glory story.

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