“Gut-Wrenching”: After Winning His Lifetime Achievement Award, Ronnie Coleman Felt the Absence of a Special Person in His Life

The eight-time Mr. Olympia, Ronnie Coleman, has seen it all in his long bodybuilding career. He has faced every injury with sheer strength and positivity. But there was a moment in his career that overwhelmed him. In 2021, fans saw Coleman receiving the prestigious Arnold Classic lifetime achievement award. Coleman expressed that he felt mixed emotions at the award ceremony in a recent podcast.

Ronnie Coleman consecutively won Mr. Olympia for eight years (1998 to 2005). Besides his titles, he was famous for multiple injuries. Throughout his bodybuilding career, he underwent 13 surgeries. He would refuse not training for a day, even post-check-ups. Ultimately, his body lost mobility due to which the 58-year-old had to retire in 2007.

Ronnie Coleman experienced several emotions at the award ceremony

Coleman received the reputed lifetime achievement award from his biggest idol, the bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger. Indeed, the moment was a memorable one. However, at the time of delivering his speech, Coleman struggled.

The bodybuilder was at a loss for words because he remembered his late mother at the ceremony. For him, the feeling was completely ‘gut wrenching‘ as he missed his mother on one of his most special moments.

In the podcast, Nothing But A Podcast, Ronnie expressed his feelings by saying; “The fact that my mom wasn’t there to see it and she always made the big events that I was involved in… that made it even more gut-wrenching. So it was quite an experience… I’ll say it was a very overwhelming experience,”

Read More: Ronnie Coleman Who Sacrificed His Body for Bodybuilding, Nearly Called It Quits on His Career in 1997

Ronnie’s mother’s death in 2017 completely shattered him. He further explained that his mother played a pivotal role in his career. She stood beside him through all his thick and thin. Her mother would also be present at every big moment for him. Therefore, not seeing her on his special day was overwhelming for him.

Coleman had thoroughly prepared his speech

Although Ronnie had well-rehearsed his speech, delivering it on the stage was the hardest thing he had to do. His video of getting emotional at the podium became viral immediately.

Watch This Story: Bodybuilding legend Ronnie Coleman spent $136,875 on the same breakfast for 25 years.

The great bodybuilder expressed he knew what to say but could not utter it because he was very emotional. However, he somehow managed to bring words up for his speech.

Ronnie’s emotions on the stage were so genuine that he agreed that reading a script would have been easier than delivering one.