Fitness influencer Chuck Kirkendall, better known as Kali Muscle, has narrowly escaped death once again. On Jan. 27, 2026, he shared the story behind his recent fainting spell at the gym. He revealed that he had another heart attack and was placed in a medically induced coma for three days.
“This isn’t a flex. This isn’t a sob story. This is a warning from someone who loves training.”
Kali Muscle remains a popular name in the bodybuilding industry. He dabbled with the sport for a few years before going all-in on social media content. He came from humble beginnings, having served over 11 years in prison.
During that time, Kali Muscle binged on processed foods but still managed to achieve an extremely muscular physique. In 2021, he had a heart attack around the same time former Olympia champ Shawn Rhoden passed away. This was a turning point for Kirkendall, who decided it was time to prioritize his health.
He implemented strange dieting strategies to preserve his longevity. From eating only fruit to strict water fasting, he’s tried just about everything to reverse the damage he believes was caused by steroid use. Kali Muscle has been honest about his journey to better living. He shared that due to a heart ejection fraction, he has a higher risk of sudden death. It appears those doctors’ concerns were warranted, given his latest scare.
Kali Muscle Talks Fainting at the Gym, Reveals He Had Another Heart Attack
In the YouTube video, Kali Muscle confirmed the heart attack happened at the gym on Jan. 17. He explained that doctors inserted two additional stents and implanted a defibrillator.
“January 17th, I had another heart attack. Not at home, not asleep, at the gym,” shared Kali Muscle. “The place where everyone thinks of health, right? I went into full cardiac arrest. I hit my head hard. I didn’t walk out. I woke up later with one stent in, the one stent I had before from a widow-maker, and I had two additional ones and a defibrillator put in.”
He warned that steroids and intensity don’t equate to a better quality of life:
“I’m telling you right now, if you think more drugs, more steroids, more intensity mean a better quality of life, then you are mistaken because I thought the same thing. Muscles don’t mean immortality. A strong body that doesn’t cancel bad choices and your heart keeps scores, quietly.”
Looking back on the ordeal, he was fortunate that an EMT training at the gym offered him help. He revealed that he was put in a medically induced coma for three days.
“I hit my head. I was told I started snoring,” he shared. “EMT that was in the gym working out came and did CPR and shout out to him, I can’t wait to meet him. He saved my life. So bam. I hit my head. The EMT shocked me, did CPR until the ambulance came. I’m unconscious. I come to find out I was in an induced coma for three days.”
“My family didn’t know if I was going to make it. My memory, I didn’t know nothing. I didn’t know why I was in the hospital, nothing. All this had to be told to me by my wife and Big Boy.”
Had he died, Kali Muscle would have left his six-year-old twins and wife behind:
“I stayed in the hospital for seven days. Today is my second day out,” he said. “This is serious business. Just think, I got six-year-old twins; they would have been fatherless, my wife would have been a widow. It’s just all because of my past mistakes.”
Bodybuilding has become risky, according to a few Men’s Open legends. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently labeled the sport dangerous, noting that it can kill people. Lee Haney, a former eight-time Olympia winner, also sounded alarms. He believes younger athletes are dying more often due to drugs and the need to present ‘drier’ physiques.
Time will tell how Kirkendall adapts his training and nutrition to live a longer life. For now, it looks like he’ll be on the mend and spend time with his family.
RELATED: Kali Muscle Says Bodybuilding Is Evil and Demonic, Calls Out ‘Lying Devil’ IFBB Pros
Watch the full video from the Kali Muscle YouTube channel below:
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