Ronnie Coleman is largely considered to be the greatest bodybuilder of all time. Recently, he opened up about the steroid use that contributed to his success and expressed some controversial opinions.
Coleman is tied with the most wins at the Mr. Olympia contest, with eight victories. Moreover, he has the most wins in IFBB Pro history. As a result, he is considered to be one of the best bodybuilders ever, and certainly the most accomplished.
Coleman recently expressed a level of disappointment in the size and conditioning of modern bodybuilders, compared to his day. However, as he explains, there were some factors that contributed to his success. Speaking in an interview with Valuetainment, he opened up about his use of steroids, during the heyday of his career. Not only that, but he offered some ideas that many people have found controversial.
Initially, Ronnie Coleman was a little bit hesitant to speak out, when being asked about the use of performance-enhancing drugs in bodybuilding. Although he did agree with Patrick Bet-David, on the fact that steroid use should be more commercialized in the sport. The pair concur about the idea that having steroids be an open and honest discussion, allows for safer and better-monitored usage.
Then, Coleman began to open about his personal experience.
Patrick asked Coleman what he would do differently if he was on the board for the Olympia competition. In response to that, he said that he would ensure that things athletes were taking were prescribed by a doctor. Moreover, he says that he only took things that were prescribed to him, which helped him make sure everything was okay.
“You know, the DEA came in and started questioning everybody,” Coleman said. “Like, what are you doing, what are you taking? So you had to be upfront, you know. Once they did all that, I just followed the rules. So I went in, and got a doctor and got prescriptions for everything.
Like I said, the DEA was monitoring everything and I made sure I did my checkups. and followed protocol and everything, and just did it the right way. It was the best thing for me, because look at how I looked, and what I went through, and I’m still here. I am still doing fine and doing great. Except for the bad surgeries I went through, but everything else is all good.
“I did everything the right way,” Coleman continued. “I wasn’t buying stuff off the streets, and getting black market stuff, not knowing what I’m getting. Everything I was getting was from the pharmacy, and prescribed by doctors that were keeping up with my progress. I’m going through all these blood tests, at that time, making sure.
“I think if it is done that way, everybody can benefit. The sport is not controlled in that kind of way. I did it that way because I was kind of forced to do it that way, once the DEA got involved and came in.”
He went on, concluding by clearing up how much he was using at the time.
“People think I was doing way more than what I was doing.” Coleman said. “I wasn’t doing any more than what anybody else was doing. I kind of think we were all kind of on the same level. There’s only so much you can do, to where it’s going to be effective. No matter how much of something you take.”
Ronnie Coleman wrapped up the conversation by saying that even though he was using these substances, there was still a level of genetics and hard work that made him successful. He believes that if everyone took steroids, and was on the same playing field, the sport would be a lot better. While those ideas are controversial, to say the least, there is something to the idea of transparency in the sport.
