Ronnie Coleman, aka “The King” of bodybuilding, won the Mr. Olympia competition eight times in a row. Coleman is also known as one of those bodybuilders who brought the sport to the mainstream.

However, The King had a very modest start to his bodybuilding career. In his book, “YEAH BUDDY: My Incredible Story,” Coleman opened up about when he was a security guard at Mr. Olympia.

When Ronnie Coleman met his idols

In the 1991 Mr. Olympia contest, policeman Ronnie Coleman was a backstage security guard. Ronnie witnessed Lee Haney, Dorian Yates, and Samir Bannout, who were the biggest giants of bodybuilding at that time.

Coleman recalled, “A couple of bodybuilders saw me in my security uniform and told me I was big enough to compete”. Coleman humbly laughed it off because he believed he was nowhere near them to compete in such an event. Ronnie Coleman claimed that hearing such remarks from his heroes made him feel proud.

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Lee Haney won his eighth Mr. Olympia title on the same day he shared space backstage with Ronnie. No one could have guessed that the other thing these two would share would be the world record of eight Mr. Olympia wins!

Coleman’s journey to the top

Ronnie Coleman participated in the World Amateur Championships the same year. He earned pro status in the event and qualified for Mr. Olympia 1992. Coleman’s first Mr. Olympia contest did not turn out to be what he anticipated.

Ronnie acquired the last position in 1991, but it did not stop him from further participation in the event. In 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997, Ronnie ranked in the top 15 contenders. Much to everyone’s surprise, Ronnie Coleman won the 1998 Mr. Olympia title by defeating Flex Wheeler.

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Coleman then brought home seven more titles in the coming years. The King’s reign as Mr. Olympia winner finally ended in 2006. Jay Cutler dethroned Coleman and then won the contest four consecutive times. What do you think about Coleman’s journey from being the security guard at Mr. Olympia to being a world record holder for most wins? Tell us in the comments!