“That’s Nerve Damage”: Having Survived 40+ Surgeries and Horrific Car Crash, Bodybuilding Veteran Asks IFBB Pro Coach to “Be Careful”

On the latest episode of The Mancae Podcast, host Dennis James invited Chirs Cormier, Milos Sarcev, and four-time Arnold Classic winner Flex Wheeler. Wheeler is a frequent guest of the show, and the conversation between the four bodybuilding veterans evolved into friendly banter. However, things became serious when they spoke about 59-year-old Milos Sarcev’s car crash. Samson Dauda’s coach revealed he had been in another car crash last year and felt fine, but the last one has traumatized him.

However, bodybuilding icon, Flex Wheeler, who got involved in a nearly-fatal car accident in the 90s, gave Sarcev a warning. A survivor of over 40 surgeries and battling rare kidney disease, Wheeler told Sarcev that sometimes feeling ok, is not enough. The Sultan of Symmetry gave his example and asked Sarcev to be more vigilant. So what did the 57-year-old warn the former IFBB pro about?

Flex Wheeler warned Milos Sarcev about something he might not see coming 

The 59-year-old said the injuries he received during the car crash, have affected his quality of life. While the crash happened on May 15, the former Mr. Universe is still recovering. In his previous health update, the former Mr. Universe said he got a severe concussion, became forgetful, and even had difficulty speaking.

In the latest episode, Sarcev revealed how the accident affected him mentally. The renowned bodybuilding coach said he feels like he’ll get in another crash every time he drives. He also said that the feeling is quite different than the last time he was in a crash, as he walked away unscathed from it. However, Wheeler had a warning for Sarcev.

“Be careful Milos… You might think you’re okay,” said Wheeler. “You know all my back problems that I had, I thought I was okay, throughout my career,” added the bodybuilding legend. In 1994, The Sultan of Symmetry got into a horrific accident while driving his Mercedes. The collision could’ve left Wheeler paralyzed and derailed his career for multiple years.

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However, the 57-year-old felt fine when he returned to training and challenged Ronnie Coleman for the Olympia crown in 1998 and 1999. “Now I’m having back surgery after back surgery… That numbness that you’re feeling in your hand. I know exactly what you’re talking about about, that’s nerve damage,” said the bodybuilding veteran. While Sarcev has been suffering, he is glad he took the first impact instead of the car in front.

Sarcev might have saved three lives

The first time the Arnold Classic-winning coach talked about his accident on the podcast, he described how the collision happened. Sarcev said a cat rammed into him from behind, and he hit the car in front. While his car hit the one in front with less force, it also lurched forward and collided with the other in front of it. Sarcev revealed the first car had three babies in it.

Sarcev believed that had the scenario reversed, it could have been fatal for the three toddlers. “So god probably put me there to protect them,” the 59-year-old said in episode 129 of The Menace Podcast. While the road has been tough for Milos Sarcev, he is on the way to recovery, and after Wheeler’s warning, he might be even more careful moving forward.

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