It rarely happens that a fan archives dreams of joining their idol on stage. However, seven-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath turned that dream into reality. The bodybuilding champ posted about the successful conclusion of the Rimini Wellness event. Heath attended the event because he is one of the two brand ambassadors of Panatta. His fellow brand ambassador made the event even more special for him.

Panatta is renowned as the manufacturer of some of the finest exercise machines in the world and had a booth at the event. Heath wrote about his experience on Instagram, thanking Panatta and the fans who attended the event. “I cannot fully express my gratitude and overall happiness with all of the amazing people who came to the @panattaofficial booths,” wrote Heath.

However, sharing the stage with Ronnie Coleman was the real “highlight” for the former Mr. Olympia. Phil Heath then recalled meeting The King for the first time when Coleman came to Denver when Heath was still a young amateur star in the bodybuilding world. “A man who I actually waited 4.5hrs to meet at an appearance in Denver back in my amateur days,” recounted The Gift about the first time seeing Ronnie Coleman in person. While he was just a fan, Coleman had already conquered bodybuilding by then.

Phil Heath revealed he had purchased “4 autographs and being so proud I got to see greatness.” Although the 60-year-old eight-time champion’s health has declined, The Gift felt no different while doing the seminar with Ronnie Coleman. In fact, the 44-year-old felt excited and privileged that he’ll share more such moments with Coleman in the future as a brand ambassador.

Phil Heath posted the highlights of his trip on social and Coleman appeared in two photos. One of those photos was a selfie that The Gift clicked while having lunch with the record-holding Mr. Olympia champion. The King’s smile also showcased how Coleman doesn’t let his health issues hold him back.

Why do champions like Phil Heath hold Ronnie Coleman in such high regard?

Ronnie Coleman has won the most Mr. Olympia titles, tying Lee Haney with eight Sandow trophies. He was also the first bodybuilder to win the Arnold Classic and Mr. Olympia in the same year. However, bodybuilders like Phil Heath, Jay Cutler, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and many others also respect Coleman for his resilience. Today, Coleman constantly battles with health issues.

The 60-year-old’s ordeal started when multiple surgeries couldn’t fix the back injuries he accumulated through decades of bodybuilding training. One surgery led to another, and so far, The King has had over a dozen surgeries for his spine and hips. Ronnie Coleman also lost the ability to walk without assistance. However, despite the hardships, he didn’t still trains and attends seminars and events such as the one he did with Phil Heath.

So, it’s easy to see why even the seven-time Mr. Olympia, like Phil Heath, still sees Coleman in the same light he did when he was only an amateur. “I truly look forward to coming back next year!” the Gift wrote about his recent event with Coleman.