32-year-old bodybuilder Zak Wilkinson was forced into a medically induced coma after abusing steroids for over two years. On Nov. 21, 2025, a few months following the ordeal, he opened up about addiction and the dangers of bodybuilding.
Wilkinson spent nearly $1,000 a month on steroids to maintain his ripped physique. He injected Anavar, Masteron, and Equipoise three times a day. In bodybuilding, athletes also consume large quantities of food to help spur muscle growth, and that’s exactly what Wilkinson did.
He revealed that his diet consisted of six meals each day, all of which were made with the same five ingredients, including broccoli, chicken, rice, egg whites, and steak. As with most athletes, cardio also played an important role in his ability to burn fat, so he stuck with 45 minutes per day.
However, on March 23, Wilkinson paid the price for such a regimented lifestyle. He started to have seizures, vomited, and sweated profusely, prompting him to seek emergency care immediately. He was admitted to an ICU unit at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, thanks to his sister, who called the ambulance. After seven days in the coma, he lives to tell the tale.
32-Year-Old Bodybuilder Survives Medically Induced Coma After Steroid Abuse
According to Wilkinson, his steroid use progressed into a real addiction over time.
“They get a grip of you. When you’re on them you’re training a lot harder and more frequently. That’s when addiction can start becoming involved.”
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He said it almost cost him his life and reflected on the financial damage it caused him:
“For me, focusing and concentrating even more on myself meant I lost myself in the process. You get to a stage where the sh*t hits the fan like I did and it almost cost me my life.”
“The financial side as well – mine was high as I was injecting multiple times a day. When taking steroids you’re taking different hormones too whether it’s peptides or a growth hormone. I was taking fat loss tablets with it to accelerate weight loss.”
Additionally, he confessed that his routine was very strict, noting how outside pressures factored into his decision to use performance-enhancers.
“I was having more caffeine as I found myself tired more. For me everything was noted. I had a notepad with me tracking my meals, my weight on a morning. I had my Apple watch on me checking steps and checking calories burnt.
“It’s a very strict regime. In this day and age now people are wanting to take things to make things look better facially and physically look huge. People are taking them to look good in a photo or a seven-day, 10 day holiday, whatever it may be,” he said.
Athletes are beginning to warn about the risks of using steroids. Recently, Kali Muscle tackled the subject. Aiming to help others, he underscored the ‘raw truth’ around steroids, emphasizing that, “If you’re a bodybuilder, you’re risking your life.”
For Wilkinson, he has a brand new outlook on life. From addiction to financial hardships, he won’t forget about the risks associated with PEDs.
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