Jones was an accomplished trainer, and inventor of many of the early exercise machines he began training Mike, firmly believing in the teens potential. June 21, 1995 . The day before, both he and brother Ray were working on a fitness DVD titled HIT. Those who abuse AAS are the ones stacking eight compounds a week like they think their 290-pound idol does. Mikesfirst set of weights wasbought for him by his father. 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. Ray went to bed. Then he found he was actually progressing better than before. He published numerous fitness-themed books, including Heavy Duty Nutrition and High-Intensity Training the Mike Mentzer Way. It may be more accurate to say steroids don't kill people, abusing steroids kills people. While steroids, amphetamines, smoking, etc. Kaiserman said he will file an appeal after Lowes sentencing Aug. 16, basing the appeal in part on Rappes decision to allow prosecutors to use secretly taped conversations among several defendants as evidence. Ray went to bed. His brother, Ray, was on medication and did not take the medication hence he died next. [/QUOTE] On June 10, 2001, at approximately 9:00 AM, Mike Mentzer's heart stopped beating while he was asleep. Earlier this year, a blood clot broke loose from his leg and went to his lung. How Mike Mentzer Died: Cause of Death, Age at Death, and More! - Celebs Who Died How Mike Mentzer Died: Cause of Death, Age at Death, and More! Mike Mentzer reached the not so modest age of 49 years. Find out the cause of death and more exciting information regarding the death of this famous Bodybuilder. 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. ", As 1980 unfolded, however, Mike had no inkling that his competitive career was hurtling toward its conclusion. In my opinion Mr. Mentzer may have went a bit beyond then rested too long, especially up to 7 days. 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. He was called as a witness during the preliminary hearing but refused to testify, claiming 5th Amendment protection against self-incrimination. Rolling Hills, California, United States. 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. It was early May of 2001, when out of the blue I received a phone call in FLEXs LA office from Mike Mentzer. After making funeral arrangements for his brother, Ray * Convicted of second-degree murder and kidnaping. He has a daughter who was born in 1986. As Workout Magazine ceased, Mike soon afterlost his beloved father, and, as if there wasnt enough for the bodybuilder to handle, his 10-year relationship with fiancee Cathy Gelfocame to an end. Lowes attorney, Mark Kaiserman, said he also was disappointed in the verdicts and vowed to appeal. The statements made have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (U.S.). 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. Carrier said Michael John Mentzer, 49, a champion bodybuilder whose competitive career ended when he lost the Mr. Olympia title to Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1980, died Sunday morning. In 1983, he flew to Florida in order to be trained by Arthur Jones. He wrote that he was falling short of top spot so decided to give it up. Almost unbelievably on going to the apartment Joanne found Ray had passed away. 1976 IFBB Mr. America 1st (Medium) Theyd send me little pictures of themselves and all types of stuff. And yet, as I listened to Mikes effusive language, the phrase productive genius kept on surfacing in my mind. After a day of shooting, Ray turned into bed. 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. It wasnt until the morning of the competition that he felt he had recovered. Ray Mentzer of Centerburg, Knox County, Ohio was born on September 6, 1902. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. Mike Mentzer was a complex and gifted man who left an indelible mark on the bodybuilding landscape. Carrier said neither body has been examined, so the causes of death have not been determined. And indeed there were warning signs about his health. Take a look. Ray Mentzer and Mike Mentzer flexing together on a beach. Mike would often keep his training week down to 3 working days with 4 for rest. 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. Heres what Bill said about Ray and Mike; Mike and Ray Mentzer used to write to me when they were young kids back in Pennsylvania. Goldman consistently found that the majority of athletes would eagerly accept the deal. In 1983, he continued to train and ended growing to 250lbs on his very small frame. ", Even though he felt he was at his best and had no knowledge of the controversy to come, Mike told me in 1993 that he had made up his mind that the 1980 Mr. Olympia would be his last contest: Trying to be the best built man in the world demands total seriousness, but in essence the seriousness and the ambition involved is a little silly., 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 the wake of his fifth place finish at 1980 Mr. Olympia contest, Mike Mentzer's career began to fragment. He just scratched the surface with that physique. Ray, his brother, who is also suffering from illnesses, found him. Ray retired from active competition in 1982 and started training other champions. Mentzer was also dealing with the fallout caused by the ending of his near decade relationship with Cathy Gelfo. Later that night at the brothers apartment, despite Ray telling him he should turn in, Mike continued to work on the DVDs script. One year earlier, in 1979 Mike had started using amphetamines. Anyhow, thats what I recall him writing in the Weider mag. Goes Out newsletter, with the week's best events, to help you explore and experience our city. 4 AM: woke up and read philosophy for two hours, 9 PM: studied philosophy and dealt with mail-order administration, "I was in love with being conscious - amphetamines have that effect on a lot of people. Mike Mentzers training style developed from HIT, High-Intensity Training that was founded by Arthur Jones in the 70s. Although he was no longer under the spotlight of the bodybuilding stage, Ray kept training hard behind the curtains. The defense attorneys expressed dissatisfaction with some of Superior Court Judge Curtis Rappes bench rulings, and indicated that appeals are likely. After a long and exhausting day of work, Ray went to sleep, while Mike stayed working late. However, year also marked his worstdefeat; 10th place at the AAU Mr. America. Bodybuilding.com's authors include many of the top coaches, nutritionists, and physique athletes in the world today. In 1983, Ray continued training extremely hard, using various routines. ), "I didn't think there was anything wrong in taking stimulants to make me work as hard as I was. Radins decomposed body was found a month after his disappearance. Ray was troubled by this because he knew his brother had heart problems, and didnt want him to overtax his body. "Bodybuilders' Deaths Lead to Investigation", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ray_Mentzer&oldid=1121569006, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 13 November 2022, at 00:22. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? I need to know the steroid cycle. Ray believed that by increasing the time under tension with these methods, hed improve his muscle growth. He was known for being a Bodybuilder. It's probably even more true that other bodybuilding-related drugs bring higher risks than anabolic steroids. 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. "Most guys think nothing bad will ever happen to them. Click Here for the interview we did with Mike Mentzer just before he died. * Another ex-Flynt bodyguard. On Saturday June 9, 2001 after a long day he wrapped filming of the DVD he so wanted to finish. After a day of shooting, Ray turned He said Lowe and Greenberger did not know that Mentzer and Marti intended to kill Radin. Ray suffered from kidney failure caused by Berger's Disease. Champion bodybuilders are known only to the relatively-small community who follow this fringe sport. The information presented on this website is intended to be used for educational purposes only. He was a millionaire by 20 and lived lavishly in a mansion on Long Island. One of the greatest of all time in my opinion. 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. * Former bodyguard for Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt. There was no obviously apparent cause of death, but medical records indicate that he had a history of heart problems. In 1979, he had started taking amphetamines: "Not for the purpose of getting high - that was the furthest thing from my mind. He is currently single. A sad day for bodybuildingMike and Ray Mentzer Dead. No, not every pro has had issues. He did this at the University of Maryland however in 1977 Mike dropped out, realizing the subject wasnt for him. 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. Rest was crucial. You should add Ayn Rand as an influence. A quick browse online will show you tons of recreational lifters discussing plans for their first, second, third, or fourth steroid cycle. Almost miraculously, within a few days, he was establishing his personal-training business at Gold's Gym, Venice. In the early '90s, bodybuilding saw a significant shift in "the ideal" physique. I'd read the literature on amphetamines and had never heard of any long-term physical damage, but I did know that it could possibly result in acute episodes of psychosis. Known for his feats at the 1978 IFBB Mr. USA and 1979s, Ray was a sight to be seen during his prime. Lipscomb said that because a death occurred during the kidnaping, Greenberger and Lowe will be in prison for the rest of their lives. Although he wasnt stage-level-ripped, Rays gigantic and muscular frame was a sight to be seen. It was a crushing blow. Originally, Mike's body was sent to a funeral home in nearby Torrance. Death . Both Mentzers were jack offs with ray being the biggest jack off. The brash and ambitious Radin had made his name in New York by producing a series of successful vaudeville revivals and police union benefits. And would these competitors have lived much longer without using them? [en] Vital records: Ray Mentzer at +Archives Friday. . Since 1999 Mikes younger brother, by 21 months, Ray had been receiving kidney dialysis and was awaiting a transplant. I dont see anyone beating him through the early eighties. 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. 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. It was a crushing blow. 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. Mike believed that bodybuilders do not need the levels of protein they were sold by magazines. The younger Mentzer was devastated as he went about making funeral arrangements. 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. He started dieting in February for the October contest. In the 1970s, Michael Mentzer created shock waves in the bodybuilding industry by preaching the notion that seven-day-a-week training was unnecessary. Like other great bodybuilders, Ray discovered his passion for the lifting sport early in his life. 2023 Greatest Physiques. The two moved in together in an apartment, which saw them grow closer over the following months. With 900-lbs squatted for 2 reps, Ray was one of the, if not the strongest bodybuilder during his prime. Freeze,The Governator,and to many of his fans justArnie. Mohammed Benaziza: Seven total Grand Prix wins in 1990 and 1992, 1st place at the 1990 Night of Champions (beating Ultimately, Rays life was one full of success but also tragedy. Ray had been ill for some time and was a kidney dialysis patient. Theyd send me little pictures of themselves and all types of stuff. 1979 IFBB Night of Champions 3rd Mike Mentzers life was certainly not one without tragedy. 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Jordan Michael B. Handsome at Walk of Fame ceremony. Burt "Julie, even though our relationship had ended, was very supportive, emotionally and financially, over that whole five-year period," Mike states. 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. This would require a weight that would take you to failure in between 6 and 9 reps. Then, once you hit failure, keep going. As Mike wrestled with his demons, the bodybuilding community, to its discredit, took a detached stance toward his circumstances. RIP Mike. He never wrote me off.. As Bill Pettis put it; Ray is one of the strongest bodybuilders I have ever seen in my life.. I wasnt in control of my mind although I thought he was.. A typical excerpt from Mike's diary during that period reads as follows. 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. A meeting was called, withmany reports claiminginsults wereexchanged between Mentzer and Schwarzenegger and that a fight nearly broke out. Mikes typical training split would look something like this: Dont underestimate the value of a well-balanced diet. Before he left FLEX in early 1996 we had what seemed a productive and rewarding friendship. Is it worth injecting? Mikes form would be kept absolutely perfect. Mike was 49 and Ray was 47. This was met with anger from many contestants, including Mentzer. He had a history of heart trouble. He later competed in Mr. America, Mr. World, Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia contests. Lived: 78 years. You'll be seeing more and more serious heart problems, and worse, once these guys hit 40." "I looked my best, but I didn't feel at my best. In her testimony, Greenberger said Evans had nothing to do with Radins death. In the 50+ years since his article, plenty of bodybuilders have misused or abused steroids and other PEDs and have paid the ultimate price: These bodybuilders are thankfully still alive at the time of this writing, but have suffered major health issues. Radins sister, Kate, sat quietly in the courtroom as the verdicts were read. For five years Mike did crazy things and was regularly hospitalized. B comes in). - John Doe Bodybuilding, 1977 IFBB North American Championships 1st (Overall), 1977 IFBB North American Championships 1st (MW), 1978 IFBB World Amateur Championships 1st (HW), 1979 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Invitational 2nd, Cereal and Grain Foods Four or more servings per day, Fruits and Vegetables Four or more servings per day, The high-protein group (Fish, meat, eggs) Two or more servings each day (Basic serving of meat = 3.5 ounces). Personal Trainer, Researcher, Author, Inventor Gym Owner, Doctor, Physical Therapist, Strength & Conditioning Specialist. Arnold Schwarzenegger - He's been named the Austrian Oak, The Terminator,John Matrix, Mr. He had a history of heart trouble. He was declared dead Monday, about 24 hours after his brother died. Greenberger, 43, and Robert Lowe, 44, were convicted of second-degree murder and kidnaping, requiring an automatic life sentence without possibility of parole. Arnold Schwarzenegger - He's been named the Austrian Oak, The Terminator,John Matrix, Mr. Mike won the rival IFBB Mr America in 1976. Two days later, Ray died from complications from his long battle with Berger's disease. As 1990 came, Mike found himself once again in a hospitalized state. 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. Atty. * October, 1988: Greenberger, Robert Lowe, William Mentzer and Alex Marti are arrested by sheriffs deputies and held in connection with the slaying of Radin. With this realization,Mikeswore to himself to back on track. Two days before the 1980 Olympia tookplace, Mike was revisited by thedeaths door feeling. Later that day, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was believed to be retired, announced his intentions to compete at the event. Mike battled his demons for 5 years and was admitted to hospital on several occasions. On May 13, 1983, Radin and Greenberger were on their way to dinner to work out their problems. Greenberger introduced Radin to Evans and together they struck a deal to finance The Cotton Club.. They're just average lifters wanting to look better. Prologue:Mike Mentzer died 13 years ago this month on June 10, 2001, aged 49. Her attorney argued during the trial that Greenberger had been framed for the murder by Milan Bellechesses, a Miami drug dealer and another Greenberger paramour who suspected Radin of stealing drugs. Currently he was throwing himself full tilt into producing a DVD and a new book. He has lived along the levees of the Sacramento Delta, the Powell-Hyde Street cable car line and the shaded streets of Pasadena. So more accurate reporting would be to identify them as "former bodybuilders. During one of his evening training sessions, he was seen doing a 900-pound squat for two reps. Coupled with an overwhelming amount of calories he ate, Ray soon reached the 250lbs mark of weight. Many thanks for your updates! We cover professional athletes, models and even social media stars to bring you the very best, up to date information in our profiles. Greenberger, Mentzer, Marti and Lowe were arrested in 1988--five years after Radins body was found by a beekeeper in a desolate canyon 65 miles north of Los Angeles. 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. However, given the suspicious circumstances of the deaths of two brothers dying within two days of each other, the remains of both Mike and Ray have been sent to the coroner's office in order to determine cause of death. Do any supplements work? Deputy Dist. 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. 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.. 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. He became a professional bodybuilder after that 1978 Universe win. Although Greenberger conceded she left with Radin for dinner in the same limousine, she said Mentzer told her to get out of the car. He was 225 pounds, And more cut than I'd ever been. Despite his success on the East Coast, Radins real ambition was in Hollywood. He passed away less than 48 hours after Mike had died, leaving the bodybuilding world shrouded in black. He dies on June 12, 2001 which was only two days after the passing of his legendary brother. I wish he was still living too. 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. One of the core principles of Rays training was doing low reps and heavy weight. Death date: 0 June, 1986, Sunday. 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 I was a productive genius, but I had lost sight of the fact that the body and the mind have limitations. Ray Mentzer didnt share the same opinion. Ray died just two days after discovering his brother Mike Mentzer's dead body in the very same apartment due to heart failure. I'd put 110% into the enterprise and it hadn't worked out.". Then his brother died two DAYS later at age 47. He was obsessed with the thought of making movies. When Ray and his brother were little, theyd send letters to Bill and tell him how they admired his physique hoping that they too could one day sculpt strong and ripped muscles like Bill. Its been so many years and of course, you lose hope. "Editing Workout was one of the most enjoyable things I've ever done," Mike claims. His forte was his strength literally. Were disappointed, but Im very thankful the jury didnt convict her of first-degree murder.. 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. Mike being Mike, stayed up late to work on the scripts. Your email address will not be published. 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. I saw him in person in 1979 in Baton Rouge, at a book signing,The Mentzer Method to Fitness. We know that PEDs are widespread in professional sports like baseball, football soccer, and MMA. Along with Mentzer, accused of carrying out the murder. However, things didn't progress the way Mike had hoped, and after six months, he and Jones severed their business relationship. Get our L.A. The doctors put him on a kidney dialysis treatment soon after, along with putting him on a kidney transplant waiting list. Monday morning, June 11, 2001, an e-mail was sent to us saying that Mike Mentzer has passed away June 9th. So you have to wonder why so many seem eager to risk their lives and health for success. This would make him go beyond the point of muscle failure. The Mike Mentzer that passed away is the one that he will always be remembered as. He would talk with me at length, and I remember those conversations with fondness, which causes me to think fondly of John Little. He also made similar calls to Joe Weider and photographer Chris Lund, with whom he had worked on books and other projects. All rights reserved. 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. He never wrote me off., In January 1990 a hospitalized Mike experienced a Eureka moment. You won't have much luck. Mikes younger brother Ray, who was thewinner of the 1979s Mr. America began receiving kidney dialysis in 1999. Little men like him need to knock the others to make themselves feel good cause they cant do it on their own!!! 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. There was a strain and tension in the air all the way through.. Every Saturday evening, Ray would host so-called Saturday night squat parties. Ray would later become a bodybuilding legend for his vascular 20+ inch arms, and for reaching a then unthinkable 275lbs of weight. Rider told them that Mentzer and Marti had admitted during a poker game that they killed Radin. There were two notable, and noble, exceptions: ex-girlfriend Julie McNew and John Little, senior writer for FLEX. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Ray Mentzer. He was a judges favorite, andmany competitors believed with his new fame he could win purely on popularity. 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. Freeze,The Governator,and to many of his fans justArnie. I remember reading the magazines at the time. However, Mike had not competed for 21 years and Ray for 19 years. Ashley Dunn is the former weekend editor at the Los Angeles Times. RIP. In 1999, after going to a check-up at the doctors, Ray received terrible news. Prologue: Mike Mentzer died 13 years ago this month on June 10, 2001, aged 49. The Ray Mentzer bodybuilding biography is one of the sadder ones in the history of the sport. He was so fatigued that he couldn't even raise his arms, and had to stay in bed for the remainder of the day. Edit: two DAYS not years, my b The next morning he discovered Mike dead in bed, apparently of a heart attack. The Ray Mentzer story is one of success, but also tragedy. Over 60% of his daily calories came from carbs. At this point, most of the bodybuilding community turnedits back on Mike.