Bodybuilding Beast Big Ramy Unraveled Phil Heath’s Drastic Transformation From 2011 to 2016: “I Saw Someone as Not Just Cartoonish But…”

Reigning Mr. Olympia champion, Big Ramy does not need any introduction. Having won the coveted Mr. Olympia title twice in a row, the Egyptian bodybuilding star will attempt to win a third title, just in less than a week. However, Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay found time to appear for an Instagram live session with seven-time Mr. Olympia, Phil Heath. During the session, Elssbiay asked Phil about his drastic transformation from 2011 to 2016.

Unlike a traditional interview, the live session between Phil Heath and the current champion was more like a conversation. After hearing Ramy’s question, the bodybuilding legend explained how and why he drastically changed his physique.

The reigning Mr. Olympia asks a hard-hitting question

During their conversation, Elssbiay shared his intention to ask Phil a question. However, before asking him the question, the current champ unraveled what he thought of Phil’s physique in 2011. “I believe you have the best package ever, ever for bodybuilder is 2011,” said the reigning champ. He said even an artist couldn’t paint a better physique than Phil Heath in 2011.

However, Mamdouh also said he noticed a drastic change in Phil’s physique in 2016. “I saw someone as not just cartoonish but as huge. What you did man, for that?” asked the two-time champion. Phil had an insightful answer for Ramy. Phil said he focused on becoming shredded while preparing for the 2011 Mr. Olympia. “I knew I couldn’t beat Jay Cutler in a size game,” said Phil.

However, he also focused on rounding out the deltoids and slimming down the waist. Phil said he did it to look bigger than he was on stage. When Phil’s plan worked, he took a moment to self-reflect. The bodybuilding veteran had to maintain the same physique to win titles in the future. He asked himself how many SANDOW trophies he wanted. “I wanna win ten,” Phil said to himself.

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“That’s when I went crazy in the gym,” said the seven-time Mr. Olympia winner. The former champ said he worked hard to keep proportions and conditioning from 2011. However, he decided to put on more muscle. By the time 2016 rolled around, Phil was competing at his heaviest weight. According to the bodybuilding legend, it was 248 lbs.

When Phil Heath and Big Ramy competed on stage:

After losing his title to Shawn Rhoden in 2018, Phil returned to the Mr. Olympia stage in 2020. The seven-time winner had taken a year off. Phil had worked hard to improve on his shortcoming in 2018. However, the former champ faced stiff competition from Hadi Choopan, Brandon Curry, and Big Ramy.

Notably, Phil secured 3rd place, while the defending champ Brandon Curry lost his title to Elssbiay. Phil hasn’t returned to the Olympia stage since 2020.

Watch this story – Big Ramy vs Brandon Curry, 2022 Mr. Olympia rivals comparisons

Considering the 2022 Mr. Olympia is around the corner, who do you think will win the bodybuilding competition?