Think about it. 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. We have estimated He later competed in Mr. America, Mr. World, Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia contests. In the midst of the chaos that day, Ray completely forgot that he needed to turn up for his kidney dialysis treatment. 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. Patent on Dorsi Flexor,AD in Biology,BS in Psychology,M.Ed. Over 60% of his daily calories came from carbs. * November, 1990: Trial begins for the four defendants. Monday morning, June 11, 2001, an e-mail was sent to us saying that Mike Mentzer has passed away June 9th. 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. Ray was 9 years old and Mike was 11 years old. While there were no reported long term side effects at the time, Mike began to suffer from fatigue, and would spend full days in bed without being able to even lift an arm. Theyd send me little pictures of themselves and all types of stuff. One of the core principles of Rays training was doing low reps and heavy weight. Champion bodybuilders are known only to the relatively-small community who follow this fringe sport. Later that day, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was believed to be retired, announced his intentions to compete at the event. Many bodybuilders sell themselves short. How to take thm, [] how about Mike Mentzer, who was around 215 lbs in this photo; would your 215 lbs look like Mike []. Life isnt without hardships, and no matter how difficult things may seem or how far from the path you have strayed, you can always turn things around. 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. Expert Insights To Get Stronger, Gain Muscle Faster, And Take Your Lifting To The Next Level. 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. Everything I did was marshaled into the spirit of improvement. 2023 Greatest Physiques. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease. His forte was his strength literally. He soon took part in the Junior Mr. America and IFBB Mr. America, winning both contests. This approach has always been considered controversial and is contradicted by a great deal of exercise physiology reasearch. Monday morning, June 11, 2001, an e-mail was sent to us saying that. "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. [en] Vital records: Ray Mentzer at +Archives Friday. I dont see anyone beating him through the early eighties. However,two people remained and supported him; a senior writer for Flex magazine called John Little, and Mikesex-girlfriend Julie McNew. 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. 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. In 1982, after years of competing, Mike decided to step down from his competitive career and focus on new endeavors. Physical wear and tear such as collisions in contact sports or recreational drug use are said to be greater contributing factors. Chris Colucci is a T Nation editor and the T Nation forum director. His progress over the next few years was onward and upward. Chevron - Safe Disposal of Drilling Fluids From High Temperature & Pressure Wells Anirudh Tunga, Jayachandran Devaraj, Fabio H. Ribeiro, Ray Mentzer, accepted ACS Journal of Safety & Health, 2021. Mikes typical training split would look something like this: Dont underestimate the value of a well-balanced diet. It was a respectable comeback, coming in at a modest 3rd place, after Roger Callard, and The Black Prince, Robby Robinson. The initial reports of Ray's death circulating through the bodybuilding community were that he had committed suicide, but this has yet to be confirmed. Prosecution claimed she was mastermind behind Radins murder but could not prove it. Thats all correct now! He also made similar calls to Joe Weider and photographer Chris Lund, with whom he had worked on books and other projects. 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. At least do light reps a couple of those days for arms, delts, lats, upper legs, abs. Please consult with your own physician or health care practitioner regarding any suggestions and recommendations made. He was the brother of fellow bodybuilder Ray Mentzer. I saw him in person in 1979 in Baton Rouge, at a book signing,The Mentzer Method to Fitness. 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. A tragic loss, and one that was to be followed shortly after by his brother. This routine was based on doing 6-9 reps per set at the maximum weight he could lift. Ray Menzter, age 47, was reportedly very shaken up by the Ray Mentzer and Mike Mentzer flexing together on a beach. 2023 Greatest Physiques. Despite his success on the East Coast, Radins real ambition was in Hollywood. Eventually, the Ray Mentzer bodybuilding training sessions led to him bulking up to a shocking 275lbs. 1975 IFBB Mr. America 3rd (Medium) Ray is one of the strongest bodybuilders I have ever seen in my life and Mike is equally as strong.. Ray Mentzer (August 2, 1953 June 12, 2001) was the brother of Mike Mentzer and winner of the 1979 AAU Mr. America competition. Ray Mentzer (left) and Mike Mentzer (right) posing. Prologue: Mike Mentzer died 13 years ago this month on June 10, 2001, aged 49. 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. Theyd send me little pictures of themselves and all types of stuff. Except this time, things were different. Check out our top rated fat burners to find out what actually works. 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.. 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. He is a member of famous with the age 48 years old group. Previously, he had started dieting 12 weeks out. This is why his workouts were called HIT (High-Intensity Training). In 1971, Mike suffered a severe shoulder injury that puta long-term pauseon histraining. June 21, 1995 . 1976 IFBB Mr. Universe 2nd (MW) * 1987: About 4 1/2 years after the murder, sheriffs investigators receive first major break in the case when they are introduced to William Rider, former brother-in-law and security supervisor for Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt. State prison correction officers brutally pummeled an inmate serving a life sentence for the murder of a Suffolk County mom, driving him to suicide, a disturbing new lawsuit charged Monday. workouts. * Former bodyguard for Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt. Probiotics for gut health and things like avacados really help you max out feeling good for max. By the age of 23, Ray was a full-time competitor. Mike believed that bodybuilders do not need the levels of protein they were sold by magazines. The Legendary Mentzer Brothers Ray Mentzer - Greatest Physiques This was met with anger from many contestants, including Mentzer. There were two notable, and noble, exceptions: ex-girlfriend Julie McNew and John Little, senior writer for FLEX. "John Little was one of the few who didn't approach me on the ignorant assumption that I was a 'loony' or a 'crazy.' It just didnt feel like a normal contest; no one was being their usual self. Dorian Yates set a new standard and his contemporaries tried to follow suit as the sport was introduced to the term "mass monster," describing never-before-seen massive bodyweights and the same deep definition that comes with extremely low body fat. I wasnt in control of my mind although I thought he was.. After a long and exhausting day of work, Ray went to sleep, while Mike stayed working late. 1979 IFBB Canada Pro Cup 2nd Ray died just two days after discovering his brother Mike Mentzer's body in the same apartment due to heart failure.[2]. While steroids, amphetamines, smoking, etc. WebA native of Germantown, Pennsylvania, he died of heart failure in Rolling Hills, California at the age of forty-nine. Mentzer was also dealing with the fallout caused by the ending of his near decade relationship with Cathy Gelfo. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a40bbc091972361b92bafe047762c2f0" );document.getElementById("de63bbf7bd").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Mike certainly had a great mind for bodybuilding. By the morning of the contest he had recovered. What can you take from this? To care for him, Mikemoved in with Ray, and the two grew closer over the following years. Check out our guide to protein-rich foods to help you on your way - a completely new fitness level is just around the corner. 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. Mike Matarazzo, pro bodybuilder. 1979 IFBB Night of Champions 3rd Though the football players were, not surprisingly, associated with significantly higher rates of neurological and musculoskeletal disease. * 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. In 2001, Mentzer lived in an apartment in Los Angeles, where his brother Ray found his lifeless body. This is an opinion carried by many bodybuilders today. He was 225 pounds, And more cut than I'd ever been. All rights reserved. Mike used to say you could get full development of a physique using his system training only one half hour a week. But even non-traditional sports like cricket, NASCAR, cycling, and pro-wrestling "entertainment" sports have all made headlines with various reports of PED use. MIKE AND RAY MENTZER DEAD - billdobbins.com He would talk with me at length, and I remember those conversations with fondness, which causes me to think fondly of John Little. 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. Mike Mentzer was a complex and gifted man who left an indelible mark on the bodybuilding landscape. The judge went way out on a limb and hes going to be in for a big fall if hes wrong, Kaiserman said. 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. But in the years prior to his drastic physical decline, Matarazzo was one of the few pros who talked openly about what he felt was the underlying cause the level of anabolic steroids and related drugs necessary to become a top-ranked pro. Almost unbelievably on going to the apartment Joanne found Ray had passed away. June 12, 2001, Died Place. All rights reserved. It was early May of 2001, when out of the blue I received a phone call in FLEXs LA office from Mike Mentzer. Freeze,The Governator,and to many of his fans justArnie. Mike Mentzer placed 5th. 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. He had suffered a heart attack in his sleep. 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.. Little men like him need to knock the others to make themselves feel good cause they cant do it on their own!!! And indeed there were warning signs about his health. 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 For Ray, his brother's death was a great tragedy. MIKE MENTZER - The Untold Story - Muscular Development I was using a lot of amphetamines to make me productive. He was 33 years old. Mentally, he went into a different gear and battened down the hatches earlier and more securely than for any other competition. He said Lowe and Greenberger did not know that Mentzer and Marti intended to kill Radin. And yet, there were still occasions when the demons visited. The brash and ambitious Radin had made his name in New York by producing a series of successful vaudeville revivals and police union benefits. It made me feel like a productive genius.". Mike being Mike, stayed up late to work on the scripts. Thanks for the info, weve now added Ayn Rand into Mikes idols and influences section. One year later, he achieved same in the AAU Mr. America show. 1979 IFBB Southern Pro Cup 1st Would you accept this deal? He was a millionaire by 20 and lived lavishly in a mansion on Long Island. 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. When I came to California in 1992 the guy I most wanted to meet was Mike Mentzer. Ray Mentzer died at age 92 years old on June 21, 1995. To stay in shape he opted for thrice weekly workouts with fewer sets, and to compensate for the lesser volume, increased the intensity. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley with a degree in English. To get back in the action, Mike entered1975 IFBB Mr. America to see where he stood. They're just average lifters wanting to look better. However,while getting checked out if he could provide the organ to his brother doctors discovered Mike had very serious heart problems. And yet, as I listened to Mikes effusive language, the phrase productive genius kept on surfacing in my mind. She was his biggest influence. Mike was 49, Ray was 47. But Mike wouldnt listen. 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. At 48 years old, Ray Mentzer height not available right now. 1971 AAU Mr. America 10th In spring of that year a blood clot broke loose from his leg and went to his lung. Thank You Mike. Every Saturday evening, Ray would host so-called Saturday night squat parties. On May 13, 1983, Radin and Greenberger were on their way to dinner to work out their problems. Later that night at the brothers apartment, despite Ray telling him he should turn in, Mike continued to work on the DVDs script. And it's not always the biggest guys or only the top-ranking pros who struggle, but their drug use is consistent enough to draw some conclusions. 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. 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 is from United States. John understands quite a bit about the power of ideas and the way they work in the mind. From there, it wasonward and upwards. I was 19 years old,me and 2 friends drove from Carrollton,Ms to Baton Rouge to see him. 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. MENTZER 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. 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. 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. 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. I need he steroid routine. Your email address will not be published. He worked as deputy national editor from 2007 to 2011 and played a central role in the coverage of some of the biggest national stories of recent years, including the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the 2008 election of President Obama. WebRay Mentzer Cause of Death Sadly, Ray Mentzer would contract Berger's Disease which would lead to kidney problems that contributed to his passing. 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. Mike Mentzer was born in Pennsylvania. 21 Bodybuilders Who Died of Heart Attack Fitness Volt Goes Out newsletter, with the week's best events, to help you explore and experience our city. One year earlier, in 1979 Mike had started using amphetamines. Arnold Schwarzenegger - He's been named the Austrian Oak, The Terminator,John Matrix, Mr. There was no obviously apparent cause of death, but medical records indicate that he had a history of heart problems. Mike Mentzer died on Sunday, June 10th, 2001. Full Name: Ray MentzerWeightNationalityProfessionEra225 - 235lbs (102.1 - 106.6kg)AmericanBodybuilder1970, 1980Weight225 - 235lbs (102.1 - 106.6kg)NationalityAmericanProfessionBodybuilderEra1970, 1980. Mike battled his demons for 5 years and was admitted to hospital on several occasions. 1979 IFBB Florida Pro Invitational 1st Previously, he had started dieting 12 weeks out. Centerburg, Knox County, Ohio 43011 . The two brothers dying within 48 hours of each other shocked the bodybuilding world. Bodybuilders' Deaths Lead to Investigation - Los Angeles Times The weight would be so heavy that by the 9th rep, Ray would reach failure. In 1978, he would win the IFBB Mr. USA title and then the AAU Mr. America competition in 1979. 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. Id put 110% into the enterprise and it hadnt worked out.. Some top pros almost reach 50, but even less get to 55 without a major health scare. You'll be seeing more and more serious heart problems, and worse, once these guys hit 40." Mentzers body was discovered by his brother, 47-year-old Raymond Harry Mentzer, said David Rice, an owner of the L.R. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. A native of Germantown, Pennsylvania, he died of heart failure in Rolling Hills, California at the age of Hewill always be remembered for not only having one of the greatest physiques of all time, but also for having one of the greatest stories. Forced negatives did the same. However, year also marked his worstdefeat; 10th place at the AAU Mr. America. Bad for metabolism, circad. Hed contracted Bergers Disease. The two brothers dying within 48 hours of each other shocked the bodybuilding world. 1971 Mr. Lancaster 1st He begantraining 3 times a week and bythe age of 15, Mikecould bench press 370lb (170kg), with a body weight of just165lbs (75kg). The Ray Mentzer bodybuilding biography is one of the sadder ones in the history of the sport. Jerry Brainum on the Demise of Mike and Ray Mentzer - YouTube A meeting was called, withmany reports claiminginsults wereexchanged between Mentzer and Schwarzenegger and that a fight nearly broke out. 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. Personal Trainer, Researcher, Author, Inventor Gym Owner, Doctor, Physical Therapist, Strength & Conditioning Specialist. He also launched a popular rehabilitation clinic in the Southern California region. In a career that spanned over three decades, he was one of bodybuildings most prominent, inspirational and controversial figures. Deputy Dist. Ray retired from active competition in 1982 and started training other champions. Mike Mentzer Cause of Death, Age, Date, and Facts In a career that spanned over three decades, he was one of bodybuildings most The jurors were ordered not to speak about the case until the penalty phase is concluded. 1979 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Invitational 2nd That same year his father - whom he idolized - died. 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. 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Jordan Michael B. Handsome at Walk of Fame ceremony. WebPennsylvania, United States. 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. He would also become a bodybuilding legend for his 20+ inch arms and the ability to squat in excess of 900lbs for 2 repetitions. ", Two days before the 1980 Mr. Olympia being staged in Sydney, Australia, Mike had that same "death's door feeling," which again confined him to bed for a whole day. 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. He was called as a witness during the preliminary hearing but refused to testify, claiming 5th Amendment protection against self-incrimination. 1978 IFBB World Amateur Championships 1st (HW) 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. He died from kidney failure, a complication resulting from Berger's disease in Rolling Hills, California. Discover the cheat that athletes use to cut fat quickly and get defined muscles. in Community Counseling,Ph.D. 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. 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. Mike was 49 and Ray was 47. The statements made have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (U.S.). "If they want more definition, I'll give 'em more definition," he vowed. rhyth. 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. Ray had been ill for some time and was a kidney dialysis patient. Ray Mentzers income source is mostly from being a successful . Prior to his career at The Times, Dunn worked at the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, the Danbury News-Times in Connecticut and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. 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 dies on June 12, 2001 which was only two days after the passing of his legendary brother. Sometimes I'd stay awake for two or three days at a time to meet dead lines. 1978 IFBB USA vs the World 1st (HW) He is not dating anyone. His head was peppered with gunshot wounds. And the more that look was rewarded, the more competitors pursued it. 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. Death record, obituary, funeral notice and information about the deceased person. In fact, he achieved his biggest physique during this period. Mohammed Benaziza: Seven total Grand Prix wins in 1990 and 1992, 1st place at the 1990 Night of Champions (beating However, Mike had not competed for 21 years and Ray for 19 years. What could possibly be better than a well-balanced diet, which covers all of your nutritional needs.. Prologue:Mike Mentzer died 13 years ago this month on June 10, 2001, aged 49. Mentzer In 1983, he flew to Florida in order to be trained by Arthur Jones. Cardiovascular disease and drug overdose were found to cause an overwhelming majority of the deaths, with wrestlers being 15 times more likely to experience a cardiovascular-related death and a shocking 122 times more likely to die from drugs compared to non-athletes. ), "I didn't think there was anything wrong in taking stimulants to make me work as hard as I was. He later was named to run science coverage. We cover professional athletes, models and even social media stars to bring you the very best, up to date information in our profiles. Your email address will not be published. Were disappointed, but Im very thankful the jury didnt convict her of first-degree murder.. Mike won the rival IFBB Mr America in 1976. "Julie, even though our relationship had ended, was very supportive, emotionally and financially, over that whole five-year period," Mike states. Professional bodybuilder, author, entrepreneur, and philosopher. 1975 ABBA Mr. USA 2nd (Medium) As I listened during that fateful May 2001 phone call I couldnt help but think the effusive fast-talking Mike was in the middle of a productive genius phase. Death . Those who abuse AAS are the ones stacking eight compounds a week like they think their 290-pound idol does. Ray Mentzer Ray suffered from kidney failure caused by Berger's Disease.