He would talk with me at length, and I remember those conversations with fondness, which causes me to think fondly of John Little. 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. The Ray Mentzer bodybuilding biography is one of the sadder ones in the history of the sport. 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. RIP Mike. * July 22, 1991: Jury, which began deliberations July 10, convicts Greenberger and Lowe of second-degree murder and kidnaping and convicts Mentzer and Marti of first-degree murder and kidnaping. Compiled by Times researcher Michael Meyers. 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. In January 1990 a hospitalized Mike experienced a Eureka moment. The next morning he discovered Mike dead in bed, apparently of a heart attack. There were two notable, and noble, exceptions: ex-girlfriend Julie McNew and John Little, senior writer for FLEX. "If they want more definition, I'll give 'em more definition," he vowed. All rights reserved. * November, 1990: Trial begins for the four defendants. Nevertheless, Mike moved in with Ray so that he could look after his brother better. We recommend you to check the complete list of The improvements Ray saw in his physique soon paid off. Monday morning, June 11, 2001, an e-mail was sent to us saying that Mike Mentzer has passed away June 9th. * Convicted of second-degree murder and kidnaping. Everything I did was marshaled into the spirit of improvement. While steroids, amphetamines, smoking, etc. We will update Ray Mentzer's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. WebThe cause of Mike Mentzer's death was not disclosed, pending a coroner's investigation. Soon after in another magazine he took occasional pot shots at me. In my opinion Mr. Mentzer may have went a bit beyond then rested too long, especially up to 7 days. As reported at some length in the June 14th, 2001 edition of the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles County coroner's office is currently investigating the deaths of bodybuilding brothers Mike and Ray Mentzer, who died within two days of each other. * Convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances, subject to the death penalty. In 1983, he continued to train and ended growing to 250lbs on his very small frame. 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. The passionate, dedicated and knowledgeable bodybuilder. Los Angeles County sheriffs investigators had all but ended their investigation of Radins murder, but a break came in 1987 when they met William Rider, the brother-in-law and onetime security chief for Larry Flynt, publisher of Hustler magazine. He never wrote me off., In January 1990 a hospitalized Mike experienced a Eureka moment. In 1999, Ray started kidney dialysis 4 times each week, and extensive testing was performed on him to determine if he could handle a kidney transplant. As soon as that realization hit, I was appalled at how much time I had wasted. We may be able to send a man to the moon, he said later, but when it comes to recognizing the rightful winner of the 1980 Olympiad, mankind is surely arrested in its development., Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles, Winter storms ease drought conditions in California, report shows, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids, Best coffee city in the world? For the record, we now know Arnold was terrific when Ray fell ill and offered his personal help and support. Although Greenberger conceded she left with Radin for dinner in the same limousine, she said Mentzer told her to get out of the car. Ray Mentzer and Mike Mentzer flexing together on a beach. The statements made have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (U.S.). Milk and Milk group products (Milk and cheese) Two servings per day. I think its terrific that the justice system is working here, she said. Mentzer, Marti and Lowe were bodyguards for Flynt at the time they met Greenberger. At a bodyweight of a then unthinkable 250 plus pounds, he added even more muscle within a month. Jones was an accomplished trainer, and inventor of many of the early exercise machines he began training Mike, firmly believing in the teens potential. The following morning, on the 10th of June 2001, Ray found that his brother would never wake up. He did this at the University of Maryland however in 1977 Mike dropped out, realizing the subject wasnt for him. He started dieting in February for the October contest. Anyhow, thats what I recall him writing in the Weider mag. The condition was so serious that Ray had no other option but to get a new kidney. Mike used to say you could get full development of a physique using his system training only one half hour a week. He started lifting weights at age 11 and competed a year later in his first contest. 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. He quickly fell in love with the iron and began sculpting his body. Our exclusive interview with Val Segal, the person who spent the last hours with Mike and Ray Mentzer! If you have any questions about Ray Mentzer's training, diet, etc. Can you boost GH naturally? It was time to move on. Ray Menzter, age 47, was reportedly very shaken up by the death of his brother. Click Here for Free Bodybuilding and Fitness Magazine Subscription, Click Here To Get A Free High Intensity Training eBook, Click Here for a Chance to Win Free Bodybuilding Supplements. On June 9th, 2001, Ray and Mike were working on their new training DVD calledHIT. The arrests came after a secret taping by Rider of a conversation in which Lowe said the Radin killing had been paid for by Greenberger and film producer Evans. According to the prosecution, the deal began to come apart when Greenberger felt she was being cut out of the profits. 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.. Matarazzo's public callout of the negative effects of drug use may sound far fetched to some, but there's anecdotal and scientific evidence to support his belief. * October, 1988: Greenberger, Robert Lowe, William Mentzer and Alex Marti are arrested by sheriffs deputies and held in connection with the slaying of Radin. June 21, 1995 . All rights reserved. You'll be seeing more and more serious heart problems, and worse, once these guys hit 40." WebThe grave site of Ray Mentzer. The younger Mentzer was devastated as he went about making funeral arrangements. Couldnt do Tom Bradys huh?!! Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? Died from multiple organ failure in 1996, age 32. He changed my life and my entire training routine. I remember reading the magazines at the time. At the time of his passing, it was reported that he died after choking on food, but his autopsy report pointed elsewhere. WebA native of Germantown, Pennsylvania, he died of heart failure in Rolling Hills, California at the age of forty-nine. At a bodyweight of a then unthinkable 250 plus pounds, he added even more muscle within a month, to 260 but leaner. But the big question is, are preexisting conditions made worse by excessive drug use? It's probably even more true that other bodybuilding-related drugs bring higher risks than anabolic steroids. The combination of being emotionally distraught, which can cause an individual to lose conceptual control, exacerbated by my use of amphetamines did something to my emotional core that led me to perform irrational acts that I thought were rational. The jury also found that Mentzer and Marti killed Radin for financial gain during a kidnaping--special circumstances that open the possibility of death in the gas 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. However, year also marked his worstdefeat; 10th place at the AAU Mr. America. 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 died from kidney failure, a complication resulting from Berger's disease in Rolling Hills, California. Rest was crucial. He dies on June 12, 2001 Atty. In one article he said I had a fanny fetish. Another study in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology looked into the prevalence of kidney disease among steroid-using bodybuilders over two years and found signs of disease in the majority of lifters, some of it irreversible and irreparable. Check regularly for the latest, Greatest Physiques. It wasnt until the morning of the competition that he felt he had recovered. On Saturday June 9, 2001 after a long day he wrapped filming of the DVD he so wanted to finish. * Another ex-Flynt bodyguard. Great article, but the accomplished must be revisited. Required fields are marked *. It was a crushing blow. Theyd send me little pictures of themselves and all types of stuff. He published numerous fitness-themed books, including Heavy Duty Nutrition and High-Intensity Training the Mike Mentzer Way. Mike Mentzer was born on the 15th of November, 1951. No, not every pro has had issues. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Ray Mentzer. Despite his younger brother insisting he took a break. Despite the occasional setback, Mike began making a name for himself, and was once again, back on the circuit. Matarazzo had triple-bypass open heart surgery at 38, a heart attack at 41, and died at age 47 while waiting for a heart transplant. Deputy Dist. And the more that look was rewarded, the more competitors pursued it. The information presented on this website is intended to be used for educational purposes only. Death record, obituary, funeral notice and information about the deceased person. Eventually, the Ray Mentzer bodybuilding training sessions led to him bulking up to a shocking 275lbs. During one of his evening training sessions, he was seen doing a 900-pound squat for two reps. He became a professional bodybuilder after that 1978 Universe win. 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. "Only now can I appreciate her friendship. In short, man can and ought to be a hero.. 1977 IFBB North American Championships 1st (Overall) As he waited for the kidney transplant, Ray discovered that his brother Mike had serious heart issues which led to Mikes death on June 10th, 2001. Famed for his fracas with Arnold Schwarzenegger at the 1980 Olympia to hisHeavy Duty training style. 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. It seemed the curtain had come crashing down in tragic Shakespearian style on Mike Mentzers last act and his name would fade into just a footnote on 20th century bodybuilding .. or would it? But, after soul searching, hospital visits and a help from a few close friends, he came back. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease. 1971 AAU Teen Mr America 2nd Dunn is a California native who has worked as a dishwasher in Sacramento, a printer in San Francisco and a bicycle repairman in Walnut Creek. In a career that spanned over three decades, he was one of bodybuildings most prominent, inspirational and controversial figures. He passed away less than 48 hours after Mike had died, leaving the bodybuilding world shrouded in black. However, Mentzer was just getting warmed up. Plot #17067587. With this realization,Mikeswore to himself to back on track. 2023 Greatest Physiques. Mikes younger brother Ray, who was thewinner of the 1979s Mr. America began receiving kidney dialysis in 1999. This routine was based on doing 6-9 reps per set at the maximum weight he could lift. What to take. Mike Mentzers training style developed from HIT, High-Intensity Training that was founded by Arthur Jones in the 70s. Like other great bodybuilders, Ray discovered his passion for the lifting sport early in his life. During this period, Ray was able to grow his physique by leaps and bounds. 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. However, during much of Mike's career bodybuilders overtrained badly - some working out twice a day, six days a week - so his ideas did contribute to restoring a certain balance in the volume of training done by serious bodybuilders. Mikes form would be kept absolutely perfect. The cause of death has not 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. Achieving lower body fat with a higher body weight meant packing on more muscle. Digesting that loss, Mike planned to leave no stone unturned in his onslaught for the 1980 Olympia crown. Part of the reason for his success was he prescribed to his brother's concept of heavy duty training which involved very high intensity 45 minute workout sessions. His physique was a blockbuster and he later won the contest. We cover professional athletes, models and even social media stars to bring you the very best, up to date information in our profiles. It was the last time Radin was seen alive. A sad day for bodybuildingMike and Ray Mentzer Dead. 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.. Mike offered to be a donor to his sibling who had won the 1979 Mr. America, before it was discovered that he had serious heart problems, which precluded him from being a candidate. WebNationality: American. "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. Arnold, despite breaking formation on several occasions and receiving a warning from the judges placed 1st. Lowe claimed that Greenberger and Evans paid for a contract hit against Radin. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. In 1979, he had started taking amphetamines: "Not for the purpose of getting high - that was the furthest thing from my mind. Ray is one of the strongest bodybuilders I have ever seen in my life and Mike is equally as strong.. He started dieting in February for the October contest. It made me feel like a productive genius.". He is currently single. Till then hell just be the proverbial asshole you get wherever you go! WebTo compound the loss of Mike, on June 11th, at approximately 9:00 PM, Ray died in his sleep. He wrote that he was falling short of top spot so decided to give it up. Twice during his prep Mike awoke to find himself, "at death's door." Mike was 49 and Ray was 47. Ray Mentzers income source is mostly from being a successful . Ray went to bed. I saw no problem for me because I was convinced I was focused enough and that my use was channeled in a positive direction. [Mike had taken a three year course, commencing in 1974, at the University of Mayland, with the eventual goal of being a psychiatrist , but he dropped out in 1977 disillusioned with the subject. June 12, 2001, Died Place. Ray's brother, Mike Mentzer won the rival IFBB Mr. America in 1976 during Ray's Junior title. At only 23, he captured both the Junior Mr. America title and the IFBB Mr. America championship. Id never dreamed theyd end up like they were, but Mike and Ray are genetic freaks. Thanks for the info, weve now added Ayn Rand into Mikes idols and influences section. Ray, his brother, who is also suffering from illnesses, found him. Little men like him need to knock the others to make themselves feel good cause they cant do it on their own!!! You just cant beat that feeling of knowing that your physique is one youve worked hard for. In 1980, he lost the title to Schwarzenegger, and the embittered Mentzer stated publicly that he felt he was robbed. This is why his workouts were called HIT (High-Intensity Training). 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!". . The first and obvious choice for Rays kidney transplant was his brother, Mike. In the 1970s, Michael Mentzer created shock waves in the bodybuilding industry by preaching the notion that seven-day-a-week training was unnecessary. rhyth. 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. Patent on Dorsi Flexor,AD in Biology,BS in Psychology,M.Ed. This would make him go beyond the point of muscle failure. * Convicted of second-degree murder and kidnaping. 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. 1978 IFBB World Amateur Championships 1st (HW) Thats all correct now! Do any supplements work? Rays intense training was often followed by 3-4 days of complete rest. Eight years after the bullet-riddled body of New York impresario Roy Radin was found in a dry creek bed near Gorman, a jury Monday found onetime drug dealer and would-be Hollywood deal-maker Karen Greenberger and three bodyguards guilty of murder and kidnaping in what became known as the Cotton Club murder. In 1978, Ray became the IFBB Mr. USA champion. This was considered such an outrageous weight for a small man that it fueled rumors of significant steroid use although, quite honestly, no one knows for sure and to speculate without definitive facts would be unfair to his memory. Lipscomb said that because a death occurred during the kidnaping, Greenberger and Lowe will be in prison for the rest of their lives. They're just average lifters wanting to look better. I always admired Mike Mentzer and knew from my own experience that his training philosophy had great validity. Using a spotter, often his younger brother Ray, Mikewould go on to perform 2-3 forced reps, as negatives (lowering the weight slowly) beyond the point of muscle failure. Health became an afterthought. Instead of focusing only on proteins, he ate a well-balanced diet that consisted of several food groups such as; grains, vegetables, fruits, meat, and good fat sources. He also launched a popular rehabilitation clinic in the Southern California region. Two days later, Ray died from complications from his long battle with Berger's disease. confirmed that Arnold Schwarzenegger had a year before Mikes death called Mike to enquire about Ray Mentzers health problems, and had offered assistance. As 1990 came, Mike found himself once again in a hospitalized state. The jury also found that Mentzer and Marti killed Radin for financial gain during a kidnaping--special circumstances that open the possibility of death in the gas chamber for both men. He was the brother of fellow bodybuilder Ray Mentzer. 1978 IFBB USA vs the World 1st (HW) The folding of Workout in 1985 was just the first prong of a triple emotional whammy that was delivered to Mike. He was at his competitive peak in his early-30s, when "mass monsters" dominated bodybuilding, and he claimed to eat up to seven pounds of red meat per day at his biggest. They cant take away the pain and no one can bring him back.. From there, it wasonward and upwards. Stutter reps increased the duration of each set by over 20 seconds. Despite this Mike kept up a relentless pace in productive genius style and smoked heavily. Id answer them back. This may have been a bad move, as 2 years after the blacklisting, Mikehad virtually no income. One of the core principles of Rays training was doing low reps and heavy weight. Please consult with your own physician or health care practitioner regarding any suggestions and recommendations made. Arnold Schwarzenegger - He's been named the Austrian Oak, The Terminator,John Matrix, Mr. Many bodybuilders sell themselves short. After failing to turn up to a dialysis session, Ray too, was found dead in the same apartment, not 48 hours later. "Editing Workout was one of the most enjoyable things I've ever done," Mike claims. There was a strain and tension in the air all the way through. 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. Anyway in that May 2001 conversation Mike acted like the previous five years had never happened and that we were continuing as if we had spoken a week earlier. Greenberger had been accused of hiring Mentzer, Marti and Lowe to kill Radin because she feared she was being cut out of a producers role--and profits--in the movie The Cotton Club, a film about a Harlem speak-easy that was a critical and financial flop. The Mike Mentzer that passed away is the one that he will always be remembered as. Not only is he knownas one of the greatest bodybuilders in history, but also as an action movie star, and an American politician. ", As 1980 unfolded, however, Mike had no inkling that his competitive career was hurtling toward its conclusion. Ray Mentzer's net worth Our exclusive interview with Val Segal, the person who spent the last hours with Mike and Ray Mentzer! I dont need the glory story. Mike Mentzer placed 5th. He was found dead in his apartment, due to heart complications, by his younger brother and fellow bodybuilder Ray Mentzer. Mike wouldnt pick up a weight until 1975, but when he finally did, Mikecame back with full force. cycle, and energy level (where Vit. Bodybuilding.com's authors include many of the top coaches, nutritionists, and physique athletes in the world today. In his seminars, he was openly contemptuous of the Sydney affair; a posture that he believes led to his being unofficially blacklisted by the IFBB, making promoters reluctant to book him. It was me that was out of control, not everybody and everything else. Carrier said neither body has been examined, so the causes of death have not been determined. Ray will stay remembered for his insane strength, and for his never-give-up attitude towards training and life. He was always in the shadow of his more famous brother, bodybuilding legend Mike Mentzer, despite the fact that Ray was an excellent champion in his own right with a competitive physique that did help him capture various titles. It came to a similar conclusion: Steroid use can be a valid and significant factor in heart-related death. 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. Your email address will not be published. The day before, both he and brother Ray were working on a fitness DVD titled HIT. I'd put 110% into the enterprise and it hadn't worked out.". Mike Mentzer went back to what he knew with a vengeance. He was obsessed with the thought of making movies. The two brothers dying within 48 hours of each other shocked the bodybuilding world. With 900-lbs squatted for 2 reps, Ray was one of the, if not the strongest bodybuilder during his prime. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley with a degree in English. Ray went to bed. Champion bodybuilders are known only to the relatively-small community who follow this fringe sport. A quick browse online will show you tons of recreational lifters discussing plans for their first, second, third, or fourth steroid cycle. As Bill Pettis put it; Ray is one of the strongest bodybuilders I have ever seen in my life.. The call was answered by a sheriffs deputy, who told Rice that Raymond Mentzers body had been found a short time earlier. "I'd exhausted all avenues of thought on my predicament, and realized I was wrong. But today, if you walk into most weight rooms you're likely to be standing around a handful of AAS users, whether they look the part or not. But you watch. Originally, Mike's body was sent to a funeral home in nearby Torrance. Physical wear and tear such as collisions in contact sports or recreational drug use are said to be greater contributing factors. However,while getting checked out if he could provide the organ to his brother doctors discovered Mike had very serious heart problems. The body of Mike Mentzer, age 49, was discovered by his brother Ray on Sunday, June 10th, at the home they shared together in the vincinity of the Rolling Hills Estates area of Los Angeles. WebThe cause of Mike Mentzer's death was not disclosed, pending a coroner's investigation. Ray retired from active competition in 1982 and started training other champions. ", The warning signs were there. But Mike wouldnt listen. This is an opinion carried by many bodybuilders today. Ray Mentzer of Centerburg, Knox County, Ohio was born on September 6, 1902. You should add Ayn Rand as an influence. In her testimony in April, Greenberger denied that she was involved in the murder, saying that her ex-lover, Mentzer, killed Radin on the orders of Bellechesses.
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