He never wrote me off., In January 1990 a hospitalized Mike experienced a Eureka moment. Discover the cheat that athletes use to cut fat quickly and get defined muscles. A sad day for bodybuildingMike and Ray Mentzer Dead. A handful never even saw 35. [en] Vital records: Ray Mentzer at +Archives Friday. He published numerous fitness-themed books, including Heavy Duty Nutrition and High-Intensity Training the Mike Mentzer Way. On Tuesday, June 12th, Ray was found dead in the same house in which his brother died. Ray suffered from kidney failure caused by Berger's Disease. Acted as liaison for Evans and New York producer Roy Radin during Cotton Club movie negotiations. We cover professional athletes, models and even social media stars to bring you the very best, up to date information in our profiles. When a bodybuilder dies at an early age from organ-related failure, this is the kneejerk response you'll hear from bodybuilding fans: "He had a preexisting condition and would've had that same problem whether he was a bodybuilder or a school teacher!". His career and 5th place at the 1980 Mr. Olympia, which prompted his retirement, is well documented. I dont see anyone beating him through the early eighties. If you have any questions about Ray Mentzer's training, diet, etc. That same year his father - whom he idolized - died. Rather than wallow in the dark aspects of Ray's death, it would be better to look towards his interesting life instead. There certainly may be cases where underlying natural causes were a key factor in a death, but it seems to be a common and unfortunate go-to excuse whenever a physique athlete dies. He described this feeling as being at deaths door. Mentzers body was discovered by his younger brother Ray Mentzer Sunday in the apartment they shared in Redondo Beach, California. Three months after his death, it was found that These manmade and naturally occurring compounds can make you less of a man. Atty. During one of these squat gatherings, Ray achieved an astonishing feat lifting a 900-lbs squat for 2 reps. Back in the day, many bodybuilders believed that a high-protein diet was the number one key to building muscle. Dunn joined The Times in 1986 as a suburban reporter in the San Gabriel Valley and later moved to the Metro section, where he participated in coverage of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and the 1992 Los Angeles riots. It's probably even more true that other bodybuilding-related drugs bring higher risks than anabolic steroids. In 1982, after years of competing, Mike decided to step down from his competitive career and focus on new endeavors. He just scratched the surface with that physique. Date of death. Professional bodybuilder, author, entrepreneur, and philosopher. Ray Mentzer (August 3, 1953 June 12, 2001) born in Philadelphia was the 1976 Junior Mr. America, 1978 IFBB Mr. USA and was winner of the 1979 AAU Mr. America competition. When I came to California in 1992 the guy I most wanted to meet was Mike Mentzer. Freeze,The Governator,and to many of his fans justArnie. Arnold didnt even like cardio you know, probably because he didnt quite like a strict regimen diet. No, not every pro has had issues. By the morning of the contest he had recovered. The fact that anabolic steroids were finding their way into gyms in the 1960s was no coincidence. Those who abuse AAS are the ones stacking eight compounds a week like they think their 290-pound idol does. The two brothers dying within 48 hours of each other shocked the bodybuilding world. Probiotics for gut health and things like avacados really help you max out feeling good for max. He has lived along the levees of the Sacramento Delta, the Powell-Hyde Street cable car line and the shaded streets of Pasadena. He was called as a witness during the preliminary hearing but refused to testify, claiming 5th Amendment protection against self-incrimination. The first and obvious choice for Rays kidney transplant was his brother, Mike. Many bodybuilders sell themselves short. "John Little was one of the few who didn't approach me on the ignorant assumption that I was a 'loony' or a 'crazy.' All rights reserved. Mike had a heart attack during his sleep. In my opinion Mr. Mentzer may have went a bit beyond then rested too long, especially up to 7 days. In a career that spanned over three decades, he was one of bodybuildings most prominent, inspirational and controversial figures. * October, 1988: Greenberger, Robert Lowe, William Mentzer and Alex Marti are arrested by sheriffs deputies and held in connection with the slaying of Radin. At the time of his passing, it was reported that he died after choking on food, but his autopsy report pointed elsewhere. June 12, 2001, Died Place. His early use of amphetamines to make him productive, the passing of his father and the gradual rejection of the bodybuilding community were all major contributing factors to his decline. "If they want more definition, I'll give 'em more definition," he vowed. However, Mentzer was just getting warmed up. Rider told them that Mentzer and Marti had admitted during a poker game that they killed Radin. He is a member of famous with the age 48 years old group. Ray Mentzer (left) and Mike Mentzer (right) posing. Lived: 78 years. The Mike Mentzer that passed away is the one that he will always be remembered as. Thats all correct now! . It just didnt feel like a normal contest; no one was being their usual self. He left Weider publications, and by 1982, his annual income "Had gone from $200,000 a year to zero.". What can you take from this? At the center of the real-life drama was Radin, a 275-pound, cocaine-sniffing high school dropout from Long Island, N.Y., who had come to California in the early 1980s with dreams of breaking into the movie business. B comes in). This was in no small part due to his new training routine, Heavy Duty Training, which was created by his 21-months older brother Mike Mentzer. It may be more accurate to say steroids don't kill people, abusing steroids kills people. Great article, but the accomplished must be revisited. On Saturday June 9, 2001 after a long day he wrapped filming of the DVD he so wanted to finish. The coroners office is investigating the deaths of two bodybuilding brothers in their 40s who died within two days of each other in their home in the exclusive neighborhood of Rolling Hills Estates. Nationality. As 1990 came, Mike found himself once again in a hospitalized state. He was known for being a Bodybuilder. And yet, there were still occasions when the demons visited. In one article he said I had a fanny fetish. I just have to comment that Burt should get a life and realize that if he was half the man Mike was hed be something! Eventually, investigators presented a tale of cocaine, sex and greed that they say involved the making of The Cotton Club, named after the famed Prohibition-era jazz club. [1] Ray's brother, Mike Mentzer won the rival IFBB Mr. America in 1976 during Ray's Junior title. Ray Mentzer was born on August 2, 1953 and developed a love and passion for bodybuilding at a very young age. Erroneously attributing their lack of satisfactory progress to a poverty of the requisite genetic traits, instead of to their irrational training and dietary practices, they give up training. Would you accept this deal? In 1978, Ray became the IFBB Mr. USA champion. And just because muscle is more than 70 percent water doesnt mean should begin drinking gallons and gallons of water a day to hasten the muscle growth process either.. Mike would often keep his training week down to 3 working days with 4 for rest. He was obsessed with the thought of making movies. 1971 AAU Mr. America 10th And the more that look was rewarded, the more competitors pursued it. Performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) is the term the public associates with anabolic steroids, even though it's a general category that can include anything from insulin to EPO, a blood "doping" endurance booster, and various non-steroid stimulants. He is currently single. He was found dead in his apartment, due to heart complications, by his younger brother and fellow bodybuilder Ray Mentzer. Click Here for the interview we did with Mike Mentzer just before he died. However, not long after closing the curtains on his bodybuilding career, Ray started having kidney problems. Personal Trainer, Researcher, Author, Inventor Gym Owner, Doctor, Physical Therapist, Strength & Conditioning Specialist. Eventually, the Ray Mentzer bodybuilding training sessions led to him bulking up to a shocking 275lbs. One of the greatest of all time in my opinion. In 1999, Ray started kidney On the morning of Tuesday, June 12, Joanne Sharkey (General Manager of Mikes business but who was in essence like an older protective sister to the brothers) received a call from Rays dialysis unit that he hadnt turned up for his appointment. This was met with anger from many contestants, including Mentzer. Joe Weider rehired Mike in the fall of that year, but after six months, Mentzer left to assume the editorship of. In 1983, he flew to Florida in order to be trained by Arthur Jones. Mentally, he went into a different gear and battened down the hatches earlier and more securely than for any other competition. "I'd exhausted all avenues of thought on my predicament, and realized, On Saturday June 9, 2001 after a long day he wrapped filming of the DVD he so wanted to finish. Professional athletes seeking every possible advantage and recovery method shouldn't surprise us, even when it's directly prohibited by their sport's rules and the law. Ray Mentzer (August 2, 1953 June 12, 2001) was the brother of Mike Mentzer and winner of the 1979 AAU Mr. America competition. The weight would be so heavy that by the 9th rep, Ray would reach failure. In 1983, ace inventor and entrepreneur Arthur Jones recruited Mike and brother Ray (1979 Mr. America) to work with him on research projects he was undertaking at his Nautilus headquarters in Deland, Florida. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a3ca1a8fdbeffdd8bb7f5786098d8b9d" );document.getElementById("de63bbf7bd").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); If you're a vegetarian who's serious about strength training, you need to know how to optimize your diet to get the best results. He was a proponent of heavy duty training along with Mike and although retiring from competition in 1982, carried on training to the heavy duty high intensity principles. Ray had to wait for another donor. We will update Ray Mentzer's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. It was on a visit to the West Coast in 1982 that he met Greenberger, an alluring drug dealer with links to the Latin American drug underworld who also had ambitions of breaking into the movie business. He started lifting weights at age 11 and competed a year later in his first contest. "I was consumed 24 hours a day by the thought: What can I do today in terms of training, diet, aerobics and motivation to improve myself? Except this time, things were different. The younger Mentzer was devastated as he went about making funeral arrangements. Two days later, Ray died from complications from his long battle with Berger's disease. It was me that was out of control, not everybody and everything else. In 2014, the Public Library of Science published a report investigating the mortality rate among active pro wrestlers. Died from multiple organ failure in 1996, age 32. By the age of 23, Ray was a full-time competitor. Milk and Milk group products (Milk and cheese) Two servings per day. This routine was based on doing 6-9 reps per set at the maximum weight he could lift. One day in late 1994 John Little rushed to my desk and told me he had just received a call from Mike, saying he was in Las Vegas and about to fly to the moon to meet with Bill Clinton and discuss the worlds problems. And even grimmer component of Ray Mentzer's life was the fact that he died tragically only two days after the unexpected death of his famous brother. He was a proponent of heavy duty training along with Mike and although retiring from competition in 1982, carried on training to the heavy duty high intensity principles. Gross abuse of anabolic steroids (AAS), growth hormone, insulin, and diuretics are some of the major factors believed to be responsible for a disproportionate number of lean and muscular corpses. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? However,two people remained and supported him; a senior writer for Flex magazine called John Little, and Mikesex-girlfriend Julie McNew. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. Its hard not to surmise that in his frail state of health (in the previous few months he had been rushed to the local emergency room several times) the death of his beloved brother was just too much to bear. You just cant beat that feeling of knowing that your physique is one youve worked hard for. Hed break down a typical bodybuilders diet into the following: Mans proper stature is not one of mediocrity, failure, frustration, or defeat, but one of achievement, strength, and nobility. Lowe claimed that Greenberger and Evans paid for a contract hit against Radin. Health became an afterthought. He previously served as assistant managing editor in charge of California news. John understands quite a bit about the power of ideas and the way they work in the mind. Every Saturday evening, Ray would host so-called Saturday night squat parties. "Most guys think nothing bad will ever happen to them. Ray's brother, Mike Mentzer won the rival IFBB Mr. America in 1976 during Ray's Junior title. Excellent mindset for bodybuilders to learn from and improve. His forte was his strength literally. In January 1990 a hospitalized Mike experienced a Eureka moment. At only 23, he captured both the Junior Mr. America title and the IFBB Mr. America championship. Nice article, but there is a huge mistake in the compilation of Mike Mentzers bodybuilding achievements segment (despite Rudolpfh Plizetskaias attempt to rectify it) ; in 1978, Mentzer won the IFBB Mr. Universe in Acapulco, Mexico with the first and only perfect 300 score. This didnt sit right with Mike, and he wasnt afraid to talk about it in a disdainful manner in his seminars which may have led to his unofficial blacklisting from the IFBB. He was declared dead Monday, about 24 hours after his brother died. Almost unbelievably on going to the apartment Joanne found Ray had passed away. Ray, his brother, who is also suffering from illnesses, found him. To compound the loss of Mike, on June 11th, at approximately 9:00 PM, Ray died in his sleep. Ray suffered from kidney failure caused by Berger's Disease. Both brothers lived in Redondo Beach, and they shared an apartment together. They also had the same time-lapse conversation with him, and he even came up to the office and had lunch with the Master Blaster. Its fair to say that Arthur Jones was the man behind the success of Mike Mentzer, and so should be classed as one of his major influences. To stay in shape he opted for thrice weekly workouts with fewer sets, and to compensate for the lesser volume, increased the intensity. It was time to move on. "I was consumed 24 hours a day by the thought: To find out what went down at the 1980 Mr. Olympia including the near fist fight between Mentzer and Schwarzenegger click on, http://www.musculardevelopment.com/team-md-blogs/the-mcgough-report/11982-mentzer-vs-arnie.html#.U47ZXCh93oD, In 1983, ace inventor and entrepreneur Arthur Jones recruited Mike and brother Ray (1979 Mr. America) to work with him on research projects he was undertaking at his Nautilus headquarters in Deland, Florida. According to the prosecution, the deal began to come apart when Greenberger felt she was being cut out of the profits. Since 1999 Mikes younger brother, by 21 months, Ray had been receiving kidney dialysis and was awaiting a transplant. In 1978, he would win the IFBB Mr. USA title and then the AAU Mr. America competition in 1979. Edit: two DAYS not years, my b The condition was so serious that Ray had no other option but to get a new kidney. But even non-traditional sports like cricket, NASCAR, cycling, and pro-wrestling "entertainment" sports have all made headlines with various reports of PED use. Famed for his fracas with Arnold Schwarzenegger at the 1980 Olympia to hisHeavy Duty training style. may have contributed, there was a history of heart disease in the Mentzer family - all of them died fairly young. Ray retired from active competition in 1982 and started training other champions. Burt WebThe grave site of Ray Mentzer. Two days before the 1980 Olympia tookplace, Mike was revisited by thedeaths door feeling. * Convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances, subject to the death penalty. On Tuesday, Rice telephoned the Mentzer home in a small unincorporated district surrounded by Rolling Hills Estates. Mike Mentzer took a fairly broad approach to his nutrition in terms of food sources, and would eat according to 4 food groups and the servings of each. 06/28/01 - New information on this tragedy can be found HERE! In 1983, he continued to train and ended growing to 250lbs on his very small frame. On May 13, 1983, Radin and Greenberger were on their way to dinner to work out their problems. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Coupled with an overwhelming amount of calories he ate, Ray soon reached the 250lbs mark of weight. Known for his feats at the 1978 IFBB Mr. USA and 1979s, Ray was a sight to be seen during his prime. Many competitive bodybuilders and even non-competitive lifters have. Web- Safety Protection System Analysis / Common Cause Failures . While steroids, amphetamines, smoking, etc. The following morning, on the 10th of June 2001, Ray found that his brother would never wake up. I wish he continued to compete. It was a crushing blow. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley with a degree in English. Our exclusive interview with Val Segal, the person who spent the last hours with Mike and Ray Mentzer! Later, as his bodybuilding progressed, he would move to take between4-7 days rest in between workouts. She said she was pleased that her brothers killers had finally been brought to justice. When he began his 4 year service to theUnited States air force,Mikewas spending 6 days a week in the gym, normally for up to 3 hours at a time. A meeting was called, withmany reports claiminginsults wereexchanged between Mentzer and Schwarzenegger and that a fight nearly broke out. In 1999, after going to a check-up at the doctors, Ray received terrible news. His head was peppered with gunshot wounds. At 48 years old, Ray Mentzer height not available right now. Mikes story is one of tragedy, but also of redemption and dedication. There was a strain and tension in the air all the way through.. Full Name: Ray MentzerWeightNationalityProfessionEra225 - 235lbs (102.1 - 106.6kg)AmericanBodybuilder1970, 1980Weight225 - 235lbs (102.1 - 106.6kg)NationalityAmericanProfessionBodybuilderEra1970, 1980. Were disappointed, but Im very thankful the jury didnt convict her of first-degree murder.. Id never dreamed theyd end up like they were, but Mike and Ray are genetic freaks., Ray Mentzer was one of the bodybuilding greats of his era. No date was set for the trials penalty phase, in which jurors will decide whether to sentence Mentzer and Marti to death or life in prison without parole. A native of Germantown, Pennsylvania, he died of heart failure in Rolling Hills, California at the age of She was his biggest influence. Ray was on the waiting list for a transplant, and the obvious choice was his 21-month older brother Mike. 1979 IFBB Southern Pro Cup 1st 1977 IFBB North American Championships 1st (MW) WebThe cause of Mike Mentzer's death was not disclosed, pending a coroner's investigation. Almost unbelievably on going to the apartment Joanne found Ray had passed away. I wanted the magazine to be the absolute best I could make it, and I worked harder than I'd worked in my entire life. Another great influencer of Mikes was a Russian-American novelist, philosopher, and play writer namedAyn Rand. Then also theres a lot of supplements in health stores that are designed for heavy, regular workouts, and Mentzer also sounded like he did not get regular sleep cycles. Previously, he had started dieting 12 weeks out. Ray, his brother, who is also suffering from illnesses, found him. For five years Mike did crazy things and was regularly hospitalized. 1976 IFBB Mr. Universe 2nd (MW) Tragically, Ray died just 2 days later, after missing his kidney dialysis treatment. He became a professional bodybuilder after that 1978 Universe win. Ray Mentzer (August 3, 1953 June 12, 2001) born in Philadelphia was the 1976 Junior Mr. America, 1978 IFBB Mr. USA and was winner of the 1979 AAU Mr. America competition. Coming from a well-educated home, Mikesfather would regularly test and encouragehis academic knowledge using various rewards, including cash to ensure he excelled. Rather than blaming others, he realized it was he was the one out ofcontrol, not everybody and everything else. Do any supplements work? READ OTHER ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE IN THE MCGOUGH REPORT, Mike Mentzer died 13 years ago this month on June 10, 2001, aged 49. Death date: 0 June, 1986, Sunday. But the big question is, are preexisting conditions made worse by excessive drug use? In 1979, he had started taking amphetamines: "Not for the purpose of getting high - that was the furthest thing from my mind. Many have felt that steroids had contributed to the deaths of both brothers but this truly is speculation. In the 1970s, Michael Mentzer created shock waves in the bodybuilding industry by preaching the notion that seven-day-a-week training was unnecessary. * November, 1990: Trial begins for the four defendants. Mike did not get his ideas from Jones. And Mike wasnt joking. He has been a life saver for me, from last in my class in high school and 130lbs to 1985 Jr. Mr. Mississippi,1987 Mr. Mississippi,1985 Middle weight Southern Classic,1987 Light Heavy 3rd place Southern Classic,1988 Heavyweight 3rd place Southern Classic, on the same stage with Shawn Ray when he won Nationals,U.S. Really. He did this at the University of Maryland however in 1977 Mike dropped out, realizing the subject wasnt for him. WebA native of Germantown, Pennsylvania, he died of heart failure in Rolling Hills, California at the age of forty-nine. But you watch. In short, man can and ought to be a hero.. However, things didn't progress the way Mike had hoped, and after six months, he and Jones severed their business relationship. Fame? As Mike wrestled with his demons, the bodybuilding community, to its discredit, took a detached stance toward his circumstances. Despite the occasional setback, Mike began making a name for himself, and was once again, back on the circuit. . In 1983, Ray continued training extremely hard, using various routines. There were two notable, and noble, exceptions: ex-girlfriend Julie McNew and John Little, senior writer for FLEX. Within a few days of leaving thehospital, he approachedGolds Gym, Venice, and convinced them to let him start up as a personal trainer. Ray followed a similar training style to his brother Mike; it was called Heavy Duty Training. I saw him in person in 1979 in Baton Rouge, at a book signing,The Mentzer Method to Fitness. Greatest Physiques is the number 1 destination for the best looking bodies on the planet. The long term results of the era are what we've been seeing over the past couple decades: consequences that are catching up with more and more bodybuilders as reports of health issues from mild to fatal have appeared. He said Lowe and Greenberger did not know that Mentzer and Marti intended to kill Radin. Id never dreamed theyd end up like they were, but Mike and Ray are genetic freaks. Only now can I appreciate her friendship., John Little was one of the few who didnt approach me on the ignorant assumption that I was a loony or a crazy. John understands quite a bit about the power of ideas and the way they work in the mind. Mike understood that an individual had individual needs, but inside, we all worked the same. WebThe cause of Mike Mentzer's death was not disclosed, pending a coroner's investigation. Ray died just two days after discovering his brother Mike Mentzer's body in the same apartment due to heart failure.[2]. Try to find a dozen healthy IFBB pros who successfully competed in the '90s. He begantraining 3 times a week and bythe age of 15, Mikecould bench press 370lb (170kg), with a body weight of just165lbs (75kg). We recommend you to check the complete list of Compiled by Times researcher Michael Meyers. Joe Weider rehired Mike in the fall of that year, but after six months, Mentzer left to assume the editorship of Workout, a newly launched magazine. I hoped and expected for acquittal, said Edward Shohat, Greenbergers attorney. His theories and writings continue to be a source for debate, and his books and articles remain popular (see, Mike told me he looked forward to celebrating his 50, Entering his first Olympia in his rookie year of 1979 the heavily fancied Mike lost out to a. loss, Mike planned to leave no stone unturned in his onslaught for the 1980 Olympia crown. Ray, his brother, who is also suffering from illnesses, found him. Freeze,The Governator,and to many of his fans justArnie. Expert Insights To Get Stronger, Gain Muscle Faster, And Take Your Lifting To The Next Level. It was that morning that Mike was to be found dead by his sibling. He passed away less than 48 hours after Mike had died, leaving the bodybuilding world shrouded in black. Stutter reps increased the duration of each set by over 20 seconds. Your email address will not be published. Id answer them back. He was unopposed). "Julie, even though our relationship had ended, was very supportive, emotionally and financially, over that whole five-year period," Mike states. Though the football players were, not surprisingly, associated with significantly higher rates of neurological and musculoskeletal disease. The weightsmoved in a perfectly controlled and slow manner. Physical wear and tear such as collisions in contact sports or recreational drug use are said to be greater contributing factors. Thirty years ago, the average non-professional athlete was uninterested in using steroids. in Community Counseling,Ph.D. A native of Germantown, Pennsylvania, he died of heart failure in Rolling Hills, California at the age of June 21, 1995 . Ray would later become a bodybuilding legend for his vascular 20+ inch arms, and for reaching a then unthinkable 275lbs of weight. I wasnt in control of my mind although I thought he was.. He quickly fell in love with the iron and began sculpting his body. After a long and exhausting day of work, Ray went to sleep, while Mike stayed working late. In a career that spanned over three decades, he was one of bodybuildings most prominent, inspirational and controversial figures. . We cover professional athletes, models and even social media stars to bring you the very best, up to date information in our profiles. Mentzers body was discovered by his brother, 47-year-old Raymond Harry Mentzer, said David Rice, an owner of the L.R. Monday morning, June 11, 2001, an e-mail was sent to us saying that Mike Mentzer has passed away June 9th. Plot #17067587. The jury, which had been deliberating since July 10, reached their decisions Friday. So you have to wonder why so many seem eager to risk their lives and health for success. Mike believed that bodybuilders do not need the levels of protein they were sold by magazines. Entering his first Olympia in his rookie year of 1979 the heavily fancied Mike lost out to a Frank Zane whom he outweighed by some 30 pounds. Although he was no longer under the spotlight of the bodybuilding stage, Ray kept training hard behind the curtains. The passionate, dedicated and knowledgeable bodybuilder. Iwrote in my book Heavy Duty II: Mind and Body that the idea is not more is better or less is better but precise is best; and as I learned from training close to 2,000 people plus myself that the precise amount of exercise required to induce optimal growth stimulation isnt nearly as much as youve been led to believe or would like to believe.. Bodybuilding began to separate from physical fitness in the 1950s. In the 1980s, Dr. Robert Goldman began asking top-level athletes if they'd accept a proverbial deal with the devil that guaranteed victory in every competition they entered but also guaranteed their death within five years. After the autopsy, it turned out that the cause of death was a heart attack, a large dose of anesthetic was found in the man's body, and it contributed to the cardiac arrest. As Im certain you know, it is very difficult to have great muscle memory retention (and probably thus the shoulder injury he dealt with early on) if you go that long in total resting states.