“I’m a Derelict…worthless”: Despite Being “Homeless and Hungry” as a Kid, Flex Wheeler Honors ‘Great Souls’ Who Helped Him Climb the Ladder of Success

4X Arnold Classic winner Flex Wheeler is often considered the best bodybuilder to never win on an Olympian stage. Despite facing severe injuries and a serious kidney disease, it was Wheeler’s sheer determination that helped him survive these tough times. Wheeler has battled over 40 surgeries throughout his career and thanks his family and loved ones for being there for him in those dark times. 

In a recent clip posted by Wheeler on his Instagram account, he was seen talking about his support pillars and thanked all the ‘great souls’ that made him achieve what he has today. Wheeler revealed what fuels him to do his best in life is the support of all these people who have believed in him to succeed. 

Wheeler pays his honor to all the great souls 

Wheeler has been open about his struggles as a kid. He was even deprived of proper shelter and food. “Homeless you know at times, hungry all the times,” mentioned Wheeler. Despite this, Wheeler worked his way towards becoming one of the biggest names in the sport of bodybuilding. ‘The Sultan Of Symmetry’ believes that “none of us achieve things without a little help.” In his recent Instagram post, he said, “I stole the saying from Sir Issac Newton, if you’ve seen farther than others, if I have seen farther than others…because I’ve stood on the shoulders of giants, and I truly have. I mean I come from nothing, I’m a derelict, I’m worthless.” 

“I just had these great people who believed in me and seen more in me than I seen in myself. So if you can see me or hear the name Flex Wheeler, it’s only because of the great souls that I’m standing on that believed in me. You know, I pay an honor to them,” said Wheeler. He continued by pointing out that the only way to repay someone is by doing your best. 

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Along with his family and loved ones, many athletes from the sports world also came to support Wheeler during his tough times throughout his life. One such instance was when NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal called Wheeler after his leg amputation. The surgery forced Wheeler to retire from the sport. At a time like that, O’Neal’s phone call proved to be a warm expression and meant everything to Wheeler.

Shaq offered help to Wheeler

In an interview with ArnoldSportsFestivalUK back in 2022, Wheeler disclosed that he got a call from NBA star Shaquille O’Neal after his leg amputation. Wheeler also admitted that he and O’Neal were not even good friends still Shaq went out of his way to comfort Wheeler. 

O’Neal said on the call, “Hey don’t worry about it. Big man got you covered”. Wheeler replied, “What do you mean?” O’Neal responded, “I will pay for everything”. Wheeler also pointed out that Shaq reached out to him while he was processing the loss of her own sister. O’Neal acted as the perfect paradigm of humanity, his selfless behavior touched Wheeler’s heart.

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