Bodybuilding legend Phil Heath will reside over the commentary desk for the nearing 2023 Mr. Olympia contest taking place November 2-5 in Orlando, Florida. In an Instagram post published on October 10, 2023, “The Gift” confirmed he would not compete and opened up on his decision to serve on the broadcast team.
“Once again it’s on guys… I always get these chills man. And even though I’m not competing this year at the Mr. Olympia contest, I’m actually going to be doing the live pay-per-view and I’m very excited for it. Here’s why: I get to be around some of the most incredible bodybuilders on the planet,” shared Phil Heath.
Few athletes have seen the heights Phil Heath has during his respective bodybuilding tenure. Heath owns seven Mr. Olympia titles — matching the timeless icon Arnold Schwarzenegger. With freaky striations, fullness, and conditioning, Heath left a permanent mark on the category as one of the best to ever do it, so it makes sense he’s found success as a commentator.
Last year, Heath was tapped as one of the voices to break down the Mr. Olympia bodybuilding action. Shining in the role, fans and veterans of the sport sang his praises, and now Heath will return for another go in 2023, despite subtle hints about a potential return to the stage.
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Phil Heath Reacts to Commentating Mr. Olympia For Second Consecutive Year
Heath says he’s thrilled to be taking part in the pay-per-view and emphasized that he’s “going to be calling it like I see it.”
“Being able to watch them, knowing what they go through… the trials and tribulations and all of the reps, the sets, the workouts, the steps on the cardio machine, low-carb days, some cheat days, but dealing with life. And then knowing that everything that they do has purpose.”
What an incredible job to be able to have purpose, and to be able with that purpose to channel a lot of inner strength. Because competition isn’t always about who you stand next to, it’s about who you face in the mirror each and every day. And that’s what makes this sport so special so I am thrilled to do the live pay-per-view once again and I’m going to be calling it like I see it,” Phil Heath shared.
“To all you athletes: you better be working freakin hard man, because there’s only room for one.”
Heath, who trained under the tutelage of Hany Rambod, will watch his former coach guide Hadi Choopan and Derek Lunsford to success on the same night, a challenge the decorated trainer is familiar with. In the past, Rambod trained Heath and Jay Cutler during the height of their tenures, and described the process as ‘simple’ and ‘fair.’
Heath has yet to announce his retirement from competitive bodybuilding officially. In addition to hinting about a potential contest on the horizon, Heath mentioned that a one-million dollar price tag could incentivize him to make a comeback. Further, the 43-year-old emphasized that he could return for any show, not just Mr. Olympia.
In late August, bodybuilding coach Milos Sarcev dropped a bomb on Jay Cutler’s podcast. With a level of certainty, Sarcev suggested that Phil Heath will be participating in the 2024 Arnold Classic next year, adding: “you heard it here first.”
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Having shared the stage with some old-school bodybuilders and athletes from the new generation, Phil Heath is the perfect candidate to take on this job. He takes special pride in the significance of this event given that it largely defined his legacy.
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