Phil Heath has etched his name in bodybuilding history by becoming one of the sport’s most prolific champions. Heath won the Mr. Olympia title seven times from 2011 to 2017, equalling Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s record. Despite the glory that comes with being an elite bodybuilder, he also had his share of bitter experiences. Yesterday, the 43-year-old posted a video on Instagram sharing his experience after winning his first mature bodybuilding show. However, it wasn’t a positive story.

“Winning will expose the takers and users in your life and this includes family, friends, and ungrateful spouses,” Heath wrote in the caption. While there are those who helped the bodybuilding icon reach his goal, most people never cared. However, the moment he did, they flocked to him like flies to honey. Heath explained what a champion has to face away from the public eye.

Winning is not as glamourous as it seems

The seven-time Mr. Olympia said winning attracts those who want to share in someone else’s success. Even those who pray for someone’s downfall become friends when that person becomes the champion. Heath said when he won his first amateur bodybuilding show in the novice and open class, none of his basketball teammates came to support him.

“I was living in the basketball house and not one of those m***ers showed up,” the 42-year-old said. He explained that all the hard-fought matches, the hours of practice, the tears, and the happiness he shared with his team, didn’t matter to them. “You know how f***ed up winning is? They all wanted to experience what I felt when got home with all the trophies,” Heath said.

He also wanted those aspiring to win to understand that many people who surround champions are two-faced. Heath said that many people cling to the winner for the money they earn. “Everybody ain’t fucking happy for you… They have no gratitude for it…” said the bodybuilding champion. However, despite the pressure Phil Heath never crumbled.

Phil Heath learned how to walk a lonely path

In March Mr. Olympia LLC fan page uploaded the former champion’s 7th Mr. Olympia acceptance speech. During the speech, the bodybuilding icon revealed how he learned to never give up. Heath said winning taught him how to persevere and train harder when no one was there to support him.

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The champion bodybuilder said he would take inspiration from the greats when he felt down and defeated. “I’d be in there dying. Looking at those pictures in the gym,” of greats like Schwarzenegger, Coleman, and others. “One more set. One more rep,” Heath told himself every time he worked out, and that’s how he never let the doubter win. 

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