Ronnie Coleman stumbled upon the sport of bodybuilding by chance. His humble beginning played a significant role. The King received a free gym membership, which became his ticket to success. Although the IFBB pro had the genes for the sport, standing tall at 5 feet 11 inches, he was more interested in wiping out crime in the city. But through deliberate efforts, Coleman started enjoying the process of bodybuilding. However, he had to fight against a worthy opponent before winning eight consecutive times (1998-2005).

In a throwback YouTube video by AEG Fitness, Mr. Olympia recounted an experience that helped him win against IFBB Pro Kevin Levrone. One would think that the GOAT of bodybuilding would step up his training routine, but it was a boozy method instead.

Ronnie Coleman wanted to beat Kevin Levrone

Aesthetic bodybuilder Kevin Levrone and Ronnie Coleman’s paths crossed many times. The 1990s marked the beginning of their intense rivalry. The mass monster era had already been ushered in by Dorian Yates. He won six consecutive titles from 1992 to 1997. During this time, Levrone burst onto the scene, taking second in Mr. Olympia in 1992 and 1995. Although Coleman tried very hard, he ranked lower than the bodybuilding prodigy. The King neither had the aesthetics and symmetry of Levrone nor could he match the herculean size and conditioning of Dorian Yates. 

But one fine day, Coleman walked up to Kevin to learn the secret behind his success. Instead, he was given a recipe for a heady concoction. “Pulls up a cup of coffee, pulls up a bottle of vodka, and pours it into the coffee. Drink this,” said Coleman, recollecting Levrone’s words. Further, the 1995 Mr. Olympia runner-up reportedly said, “This is what I do every single night,” to Coleman.

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Although the ex-Sheriff was apprehensive about the method, he gave it a shot. “So I drank the vodka and coffee the next day at the show, and I beat Kevin. I messed up this little streak that was going. I think that was the last time Kevin Levrone ever beat me,” informed the Hall of Famer jubilantly. In 1998, Coleman emerged as the Mr. Olympia winner after Dorian Yates retired due to injury.

Additionally, Flex Wheeler was the popular choice to carry the legacy forward. But the bodybuilding behemoth shocked everyone with his size and muscularity. That day, Coleman was the clear winner, with Levrone coming fourth. The rivals often competed in the next few years developing a friendship. Kevin had also helped Coleman calm his nerves right before a bodybuilding competition with the same alcohol mixture when Coleman was a rookie. 

Levrone and Coleman took shots before going on stage

Before a competition, the 26-time IFBB Pro Title winner was very jittery. Seeing this, Levrone suggested Coleman take a break. He said, “You just gotta relax, Ronnie.” When nothing worked, the duo took coffee and vodka shots.

Ronnie liked the cocktail so much that he kept taking shots after shots. He even said, “Men, that stuff is pretty good; I’m going to have another shot.” 

Such fond memories, even between competitors, show mutual admiration for each other. It keeps the bonhomie alive among sportspeople who can relate to each other’s disciplinary lives and sacrifices to reach the top.

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