Flex_USA_JulyAugust_2017_2

500 pounds, do barbell rows with
600 pounds, and complete seated
presses with 375 pounds.)
He almost shrieks in defiance,
“No! No! I keep a positive mindset
in everything I do. Do I regret
using such heavy weights? No,
those weights took me to eight
Olympia titles when I never
thought I’d win one. Those
weights enabled me to retire from
my job as a police officer. The
results of those heavy weights
took me all over the world to
meet so many enthusiastic
fans. It enabled me to buy my
mom a brand-new house and a
succession of new cars as a way
of thanking her for the sacrifices
she made for me. I never dreamed
I would be able to repay her like
that. I never dreamed I would be
driving around in a Rolls-Royce.
I’ve done everything I ever
wanted to do in life because of
bodybuilding and those heavy
weights. There can be no better
thing in life than getting paid well
for just doing your hobby. So,
no, I have no regrets about how I
trained—don’t even think about it.”
NO COMEBACKS
After finishing fourth at the 2007
Mr. Olympia, Ronnie still entertained
thoughts of competing. As
recently as 2012 he said he hadn’t
ruled it out. It always seemed to me
that Ronnie, maybe more than any
other bodybuilder, loved competing
and reveled in the onstage
connection with an audience.
Right: Coleman took on all
challengers, such as Jay Cutler
(center) and Victor Martinez.
Below: He bested Cutler with
this final rear lat spread to
win the Challenge Round at the
2004 Mr. Olympia.
KEVIN HORTON
38 FLEX | JULY/AUG ’17