Sadik Hadzovic is gearing up to make a return to the Mr. Olympia stage this year, assuming he qualifies at an upcoming bodybuilding show. In a recent YouTube video, Hadzovic opened up about the ‘dark side’ of his steroid cycle.
Sadik Hadzovic’s bodybuilding career has been filled with tremendous accomplishments. While he has proven that he is a dominant opponent on stage, Hadzovic’s appearances have been scattered over the years. With that in mind, fans are looking forward to seeing him compete once again following his phenomenal win at the 2022 Pittsburgh Pro and third-place finish at the New York Pro.
Sadik Hadzovic Opens Up the ‘Dark Side’ of His Steroid Cycles
While he ultimately resigned from the 2022 Mr. Olympia, Sadik Hadzovic has made it abundantly clear that he intends to take the stage this year. However, Hadzovic needs to qualify first, setting his sights on the upcoming 2024 Tampa Pro, taking place this August.
In the meantime, Sadik Hadzovic posted a video to YouTube where he opened up about not only his steroid use but how it has had negative effects on him.
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To start the video, Hadzovic discussed how many times he has used steroids on and off throughout his career. He also revealed that he found it difficult to talk about steroids due to the stigma around performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).
“My first Olympia was in 2013 I believe. So, I’ve been using anabolic steroids on and off about 20 different times, maybe 25 times, for about a three-month period at a time.
So, like to me, it’s like at the same level as like a creatine or an amino acid, it’s just man, this is so tough to talk about. People don’t talk about this shit. I even feel weird saying it because society has made it kind of like you don’t speak about it.”
Considering how taboo PEDs are today, Hadzovic admires how easily bodybuilders in the 70s spoke about their gear use. He also emphasizes how steroids are a tool, however they aren’t useful unless you are willing to train hard and get in shape.
“I’m actually very impressed with guys in the 70s because they would speak about it a lot. Although it wasn’t illegal at the time, at the time it was just like I’m talking about it now, it’s a tool.
Granted, it’s a tool but it’s not this extraordinary tool that’s going to put on 30 pounds of muscle tissue without you training hard. If you don’t have the discipline to get in shape without it, you’re definitely not going to be in shape with it.”
Sadik Hadzovic shares that he turned pro without the use of steroids. While he was modeling he would use Clenbuterol and expressed how being in magazines used to be a big deal however, now they aren’t as prevalent.
“I turned Pro without using anabolic steroids. I made it to Olympia without using anabolic steroids. I would only use clenbuterol which is labeled as a steroid but more so a fat burner, I think it’s an asthma medication” Hadzovic said.
“Clenbuterol was something I would take for all my photoshoots if I needed to get in shape for a magazine cover, at the time, magazines were like the shit. If you’re in a magazine you’re a fucking man. Now these days there’s not really many publications.”
Unfortunately, using PEDs isn’t always easy. For Sadik Hadzovic, he has suffered from the negative side effects of steroid use which included panic attacks and extreme mood swings.
“The main thing was my mentality was different [from steroids] and not so much in a good way because then I started suffering from once in a while I would get panic attacks.
Once in a while, I would really get kind of either hyper-aggressive or hyper-happy. So, you’re dealing with these extreme mood swings. You’re amplifying every aspect of your being including the negative parts of yourself.”
Hadzovic always incorporates an on/off schedule for steroid use and emphasizes that he doesn’t need to stay in contest shape year-round.
“Steroids is not a joke although I talk about it openly, it really is something, they call it the dark side. If I’m on for 16 weeks then I’m off for 16 weeks. I don’t cruise, I don’t do TRT. I don’t dabble in a bridge cycle.”
“When I’m off, I’m off. I believe that’s how I respond the best. Use, use, use, and then stop. I don’t really want or find the need to stay in contest-ready shape all the time between shows.”
Considering the alarming rate of bodybuilders who have recently passed away, fans have come to appreciate athletes who are willing to discuss their use. The sport has been plagued with athletes dying at a young age and many individuals speculate that the use of PEDs played a hand in it. This includes the late George Peterson’s passing whose autopsy report revealed steroids to be a contributing factor in his death.
Regardless of the downsides, athletes are still using PEDs. Sadik Hadzovic is being honest about how steroids play a role in his physique, which helps remind the younger generation of what is attainable on a natural or enhanced level.
To watch Sadik Hadzovic’s full video, click the link below:
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