“I Set Myself on Fire”: Kid Bodybuilder AKA Little Hercules Who Once Dreamt of Being a NASA Engineer Had His Life Drastically Turned Around, Interview 2015

Richard Sandrak, also known as Little Hercules, was once a sensation in the world of bodybuilding. Born in Ukraine in 1992, Sandrak and his family moved to the United States when he was just a child. His father, Pavel Sandrak, was a fitness enthusiast who trained his son from a very young age to become a bodybuilder. At the age of just six, with his bulging biceps and chiseled abs, Richard quickly became known as ‘Little Hercules’ and was featured in countless magazines and TV shows. 

However, the rising star soon witnessed a sudden turn of events, leaving him with no choice but to stray away from his dreams. Richard’s story has been an important conversation in the bodybuilding community, for its many twists.

What is Little Hercules doing nowadays? 

Sandrak’s life took a drastic turn when his father was arrested for charges of domestic violence. It was that day, that he broke all his ties with his father and the world of bodybuilding. An 11-year-old Richard and his mother were left alone in the United States, struggling to make ends meet. He eventually turned to stunt work, using his impressive physique to perform dangerous stunts in movies and TV shows. He worked with Universal Studios in 2015, where in an interview with Inside Edition he recalled,  “I set myself on fire.” This incident occurred while he was working as a fire diver for Universal’s ‘Waterworld’ show.

Despite pursuing a career in bodybuilding for a while, Sandrak dreamt of becoming a NASA engineer. He was a gifted student and excelled in math and science. When the interviewer asked, “If you could have any job today, what would it be?”, he replied, “Quantum scientist.“ Then, he detailed, “More specifically maybe even an engineer for NASA.”

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Richard’s life is an inspiration for many 

While Sandrak’s life may not have turned out the way he originally planned, he has still achieved a great deal of success. He is a talented and accomplished stuntman, and has worked on some of the biggest Hollywood shows like ‘Waterworld’. Sandrak has also been an inspiration to countless young people, showing them that anything is possible if you are willing to work hard and never give up on your dreams.

Sandrak’s story is a reminder that life is unpredictable, and sometimes our plans don’t work out the way we expect them to. However, even in the face of adversity, it is possible to find success and happiness. Sandrak’s determination and resilience, serve as a testament to the power of perseverance and hard work.

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