Mamdouh Elssbiay has reached the top of the bodybuilding world. However, his journey to the top has not been an easy one. Ramy was born near the city Kafr El Sheikh in Egypt and started working at a young age. Ramy’s upbringing made him a hard worker, and he was no different inside the gym.

Elssbiay turned to bodybuilding after moving to Kuwait. Notably, that’s when Ramy met Bader Boodai, who helped him kick off his pro bodybuilding career.

In an interview with Generation Iron back in 2016, Boodai recalled how he discovered Elssbiay.

Boodai randomly discovered Big Ramy

In the interview, Generation Iron asked Boodai, “He (Elssbiay) was working in the gym and you just randomly discovered him one day?” Boodai said, “Yeah,” and that Ramy was just working out in the gym with a trainer. However, Bader also said Ramy used to ask him for some advice and that he sponsored Mamdouh before he had any big sponsors.

Boodai also said, “Kuwait is different than United States and Europe. Every gym we have about 20 trainer who can say, you know, it’s for supporting people, teaching people.” However, Big Ramy stood out in the crowd of trainers and bodybuilders. “When I saw this guy, after three months, I know this guy will be a big splash in bodybuilding,” added Boodai.

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Boodai couldn’t have been more right. Mamdouh started competing in bodybuilding shows after only a short period of training and also started winning. He had racked up a few amateur wins before turning pro in 2013.

Elssbiay stepped onto the international bodybuilding scene during the 2013 New York Pro. The prestigious show was his first one as a pro and Ramy won it. At the 2013 Olympia, Ramy placed eighth. Following the show, he improved every year and eventually won the title in 2020.

A prophetic prediction

During the same interview, Boodai predicted Mamdouh’s future. Boodai said that a good coach could bring out Ramy’s full potential. However, he also said Elssbiay doesn’t need to be at 100% to win the Mr. Olympia contest. “If we bring him 90%, Ramy will win Olympia. With all the respect for the other guys.”

While Mamdouh wouldn’t win Mr. Olympia for a few more years, that changed in 2020. This year Big Ramy is looking to get a three-peat in December.

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Mamdouh Elssbiay had humble beginnings. He worked hard to earn money as a fisherman before traveling to Kuwait. However, his talent attracted people like Badar Boodai, who helped Ramy. Today, Big Ramy is the first Egyptian to have won the Mr. Olympia title.