August 25th marked two years since Rich Piana’s passing back in 2017 and it’s still hard to imagine that he’s gone. Rich was a significant part of the fitness industry and the day we learned of his death was just too surreal.
Rich was 46 when he died of heart complications after being in a medically-induced coma for weeks, which was only a few days following the death of Dallas McCarver.
He was a very outspoken person who stood up for the truth and his legacy will live on forever because of how many lives he changed and how big of an inspiration he was to millions of fans around the world. You could watch his YouTube videos to see how kind of a person he was and boy was he entertaining too.
Rich was a larger than life superstar who changed many aspects of the industry and his company 5% Nutrition was left behind so that the legacy will carry on.
The company made a statement on Instagram recently to remember his incredible life…
“This industry never knew a more honest, approachable, hard-working, or down to earth character than Rich Piana. Love him or hate him; you had to respect him. Rich changed this industry; he changed the game. Hell, he changed every room he walked into and every person he ever met. When Rich showed up somewhere, you knew it. You could FEEL it. The whole energy of a place changed when he was there.
That’s also the exact reason why so many people were, and still are, affected by his passing. We FEEL it. Doors don’t burst open with booming “Good Fuckin’ Mornings” anymore. YouTube isn’t filled with new videos of him regularly, and social media will never be the same without him.
Expos are quiet. Too quiet. And the lines are too short. Rich’s line 100 feet out the door is no longer. His friends miss him. His coworkers miss him. His family misses him. Bodybuilding misses him. The world still misses Rich Piana as if he passed yesterday and not 2 years ago.We at 5% Nutrition, mourn him alongside his loyal 5%ERs, but always like to think of him in a good light. The silly things he did and said, get laughed heartily over and remembered dearly. We think of him gladly and often because let’s face it: he is not somebody that you can forget that easy, and we don’t plan on it, just like all of you.
Celebrate his life today. Watch an old video of him and get motivated. Eat a pint of Ben & Jerry’s or go to the gym and do those extra few reps with him in the back of your mind pushing you, SQUEEEEZ.
Not too many people can say they knew a Legend or let alone got to meet one or be around one. We were graced with getting to know him and being around him for many years, and it’s those years that we will look back on when thinking about him. We will always do Whatever It Takes to carry on the legacy he left behind and use all the positivity he instilled in us, to always strive to be greater and do better.
Thank you Legend.
You’re always with us.
We love and miss you.
RIP Rich.”
RX Muscle also made a post to honor Rich Piana… “2 years. Thinking of you, Rich Piana.”
Here’s a post from Chanel who was his girlfriend at the time of his passing…
Rich Piana’s family, friends, and fans all around the world are remembering the life of a true legend.
