Larry Wheels Quits Bodybuilding, Says It Was ‘A Massive Mistake,’ Relapses on Full Steroid Cycle

Larry Wheels is taking his health to a whole new level in 2024. In a recent YouTube video, Wheels discussed his ‘relapse’ on performance-enhancing drugs and why he has decided to quit bodybuilding.

A man of many talents, we all know Larry Wheels as the fun-loving ripped athlete known for incredible feats of strength. From records in powerlifting to conquering the world of arm-wrestling, Wheels has seen it all and done it all. 

He ventured into bodybuilding as well, realizing immense success as an aspiring NPC talent. He ultimately came just shy of earning his IFBB pro card last year at the 2023 Amateur Olympia, where he shocked the world with a shredded physique in second place. Although he’s found success as a multi-sport athlete, Wheels hasn’t navigated life without struggle. 

He’s had issues with steroid abuse in the past and also opened up on having a cam girl addiction years ago. Having recently ‘relapsed’ on steroids once again, Larry Wheels explains below why he is leaving behind the bodybuilding stage once and for all. 

Larry Wheels Quits Bodybuilding After Steroid ‘Relapse,’ Shares Renewed Focus on Health

While Wheels managed to stop steroids last year, his bodybuilding prep forced him to go down that rabbit hole all over again. 

“Last year, I made a video saying I stopped steroids. And I have as of three months ago, relapsed and gone back on a full steroid cycle.

Now, the reason why I stopped in the first place for those who didn’t watch the video is to stop compromising my health, to ensure that I can have a happy healthy marriage with my wife. And to focus more on my business,” said Wheels.

Wheels admitted that he only started bodybuilding because he thought the venture would help revitalize his business and brand online. He says he never had a passion for it and labeled it a ‘massive mistake.’ 

“I have faced several challenges with my company PR that led me to go into panic mode and make a decision to pursue bodybuilding in an attempt to bring more eyeballs to what I’m doing and in turn help my brand get back to where it was and even better.

Now, that was a massive mistake. That’s not what I should have done to build my brand.”

Even though Larry Wheels committed to a bodybuilding show in Ireland recently, he backed out of that obligation, adding that he no longer wants to pursue a Pro card. 

“This decision to get into bodybuilding was coming from the wrong place. It was coming from a place of desperation, of let me get on stage, let me win my Pro card, and that will put eyeballs on me what I’m doing, on my brand and that will help me build my business but that is the wrong approach.”

“I’m pulling out of this competition I said I would do. I don’t want to get my Pro card. I don’t want to pursue being a competitive athlete anymore because it’s a distraction from what I want out of my life moving into my 30s.”

When he eventually started another cycle, he felt it compromised his future, family, and most importantly, his business. 

“Me hopping back on steroids is going against everything I said I would do. It’s compromising my health, my integrity because now I’m going against my own word, it’s compromising my trust, and with you, the fans that are watching my content, it’s compromising my future and most importantly, my business.”

“My hat goes off to those who are able to keep a healthy relationship and build their business and live and manage a successful career while being a competitive professional bodybuilder.”

He specified that heavy PED cycles changed him and that he no longer wanted to follow through with bodybuilding and everything the sport entails. 

“When I’m on the kitchen sink as a cycle, tren, clen, t3, Anavar, this and that, anything I can get my hands on in efforts to become a Pro bodybuilder, it changes me, it changes who I am.”

“I publicly made an announcement a couple of days ago on Instagram saying I’m going to do a show in Ireland. I’m not doing that show. I’m not committing to it, I’m not following through with it.”

His motivation to compete in bodybuilding was ‘wrong’ and he confirmed he was quitting the sport altogether. 

“It’s not for me,” adds Wheels. “My motivation to do it [bodybuilding] is wrong. Does that make me a quitter? Yes. I am quitting. I’m not following through and I believe it’s for the better.”

In addition to dashing his bodybuilding ambitions, Wheels said he also wouldn’t be going after the illusive 1,000-pound deadlift because that would require him to take more steroids. 

“I’m so against this lifestyle it’s just not for me. And I’m never ever going to pursue my Pro card again. I’m not going to say ‘Yeah, I may step on the Olympia stage.’ because I’m never going to be able to apply myself to that extent. The passion isn’t there for me to be able to handle to tolerate the sacrifice you need to get there.”

“The 1,000-pound deadlift would require me to hop on more gear and eat more food and be bigger than I’ve ever been before which undoubtedly is the most unhealthy thing I can imagine right now. I’m not doing that! It’s not worth the reward,” says Wheels.  

This wasn’t Larry Wheels’ first time discussing steroids on camera. He recently joined the ‘Kendall Jenner of Bodybuilding’ where he opened up about some of his craziest experiences with PEDs. He explained to Vladislava Galagan that his body would ‘soak them up’ fast, especially the longer he took them. 

Although we won’t see Larry Wheels competing on a bodybuilding stage anytime soon, surely he’ll have something in store for fans on the horizon. Given his contributions to multiple sports, he remains one of the most respected athletes on the planet. 

RELATED: Larry Wheels Crushes 405-lb Bench Press For 32-Rep Personal Record

Watch the full video from Larry Wheels’ YouTube channel below: 

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