“About 20 Police Officers Got Us!”: Before Making Monstrous Gains in Prison, Bodybuilding Legend Recalls Life-Changing ‘Sink or Swim’ Incident

Bodybuilding legend Dorian Yates recently shared an intriguing story from his past on Instagram, which caused him to reflect on a critical moment that changed his life’s path. Known for groundbreaking accomplishments in bodybuilding, the 6x Mr. Olympia described a gripping event from his youth in which he made a difficult choice: sink or swim.

At age 18, the retired professional bodybuilder looked for a new job after spending more than a year in a slaughterhouse. During one memorable evening, he and a friend chose to have some drinks and found a party in Edgbaston. Unaware of the riots and looting happening in the UK then, they boarded a bus bound for Birmingham City Centre.

Dorian Yates’s journey from slaughterhouse to a burning changing room

The English athlete and his friend reached the city center, witnessing a desolate and chaotic situation. Riots led to vandals smashing shops everywhere. In a moment of youthful mischief, his friend decided to pull a prank by grabbing a dummy from a damaged shop window. “As he did this, the glass all hit the floor and the next thing we knew, about 20 police officers got us!” wrote Yates in the post’s caption.

That day, a court policy dictated that anyone arrested in town would receive an automatic six-month sentence. As a result, they sent Yates and his friend to the young offenders center called ‘Short, Sharp, Shock.’ Here, they experienced early morning marches, trade learning during the day, and physical training that included circuit workouts.

Embracing the “sink or swim” mindset: Dorian Yates’ decision to change his life’s path

While at the center, the Shadow stood out due to his gym dedication and strength. The officers viewed him as a positive influence and treated him specially. “This was because I was strong in the gym and I was a good influence on others around me.” One guard saw the athlete’s potential and suggested visiting a powerlifting gym in Erdington once released. But the Mass Monster didn’t follow this recommendation because of his love for bodybuilding. He had already tried weightlifting at Martin’s Gym (later renamed Temple Gym) and practiced karate.

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Yates firmly decided to change his life’s path by adopting the “sink or swim” mindset. With solid willpower and unwavering determination, he transformed his life. Despite officers warning former inmates would constantly face challenges with the criminal justice system, Yates took another route. In his own words, the 61-year-old veteran said, “I did care, and it was surely sink or swim. Through pure will and determination, I changed my life’s path.”

Today, Dorian Yates is well-known as a bodybuilding legend who earned six consecutive Mr. Olympia titles. His journey from uncertainty to success highlights the power of resilience and the unyielding pursuit of dreams.

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