Bodybuilding legend Dorian Yates hasn’t forgotten the extreme measures it took to become a six-time Mr. Olympia. On March 8, 2025, he reflected on a life-threatening health scare in ’97 and discussed how the steroid landscape has changed over the years.
In the 90s, Dorian Yates ushered in a new era of bodybuilding, defined by sheer mass and dry conditioning. He held the sport’s greatest title for six consecutive years, defeating iconic names in the IFBB Pro League, such as Kevin Levrone, Shawn Ray, and Flex Wheeler.
Performance-enhancing drug use impacted his career, but fortunately, Yates was supervised by a doctor. In his final Olympia title defense in 1997, fans had no idea what adversities he faced before deciding to retire from the sport.
Dorian Yates Talks ’97 Health Scare and Steroid Use Today: ‘It’s A Totally Different Landscape Now’
In a recent YouTube video, Yates reflected on how steroid use affected his health. He revealed that it caused elevated kidney and liver enzyme readings.
Level Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!
“Kidney readings were over normal. They were higher than normal. Probably the amount of protein I was eating 4-500 grams a day. Liver enzymes were sometimes a little elevated but I’ve seen people with more elevated enzymes that aren’t even on steroids, liver disease, not even alcohol, just too much carbs over the years, uncontrolled blood sugar.”
However, he faced a life-threatening situation before competing at the ’97 Olympia. He began coughing up blood after suffering from internal bleeding in his stomach and esophagus.
“The one thing that happened to me that was life-threatening that I could have died from, I had six weeks before the Olympia in ’97, I started coughing up blood.”
“I went to the hospital, and they said I had internal bleeding at the top of the stomach and the esophagus.”
Eventually, he went to the hospital and received a blood transfusion.
“This was six weeks before the Olympia, and I cough in the morning and there’s blood coming up. That don’t look good but hey, I got to do my cardio. I’ll deal with it after cardio. I went downstairs to do my cardio and it was like come on, what’s wrong with you? I couldn’t even do it. I knew something was wrong.”
The hospital staff informed him that the internal bleeding was caused by a medicine prescribed by his doctor. He was only supposed to take it for six weeks, not two years.
“I had a blood transfusion and some little laser thing to close the vein,” he shared. “He said what are you doing? I told him all my stuff. I’m taking steroids, growth hormones, anti-estrogen, all that. Oh and this anti-inflammatory that my doctor gives me for my shoulder. It was the thing from the doctor.”
“He said it was very toxic to the stomach lining. Should be taken for no more than six weeks. He said how long you been on it? I said two years.”
Yates warns bodybuilders today to ensure they monitor their health if they choose to use steroids.
“A lot of people were using high doses [of steroids] over long periods of time and it increases your chances of getting heart disease, blood clots, and so on. I just tell people if you’re going to do it, make sure that you are monitoring things.”
He adds that there is more advice available to athletes wanting to use PEDs.
“There’s so much more advice you can get now with the internet and doctors that specialize in this. Even in the UK, you got specialist doctors for hormones. We didn’t have any of that, but it’s a totally different landscape now with the PEDs. It’s like household stuff, right? Everyone knows. Girls are, ‘I’m on a bit of Var,'” explains Yates.
Yates continues to inspire the next generation of bodybuilders, telling stories of how he navigated his career challenges in the 90s. Although steroids have their place in the sport, he believes proper monitoring is essential for lasting health.
RELATED: Joe Rogan Compares Dorian Yates and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Reflects on Ronnie Coleman’s Health
Watch the full video from The Charlie Johnson Show YouTube channel below:
You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and
YouTube for even more content.
