Ronnie Coleman has won the Mr. Olympia title eight times and shares the record for most Olympia wins. It is no surprise that he is nicknamed ‘The King.’ Unfortunately, injuries made their way to his perfectly chiseled body, leading him to surgeries and rehabilitation.
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Ronnie clung to the Mr. Olympia award eight straight times, starting in 1998. Like other legends, even he has a modest start in his career. Coleman was born in 1964 in Louisiana and graduated in accountancy. Unable to find any jobs in accounting, he started working at Dominos and then as a police officer in Texas. He entered the Mr. Texas contest to avail of free membership for his gym and then never looked back.
The start of Ronnie Coleman’s agony
Coleman’s agony started with a slipped or herniated disc. Discs can be herniated when the spinal bones get separated due to serious accidents. It can cause excruciating pain and, in rare cases, paralysis. Ronnie Coleman injured his disc in 1996 during squatting, but he didn’t pay much attention to the pain. “I just kept working out,” Coleman said.
Even after noticing the pain and numbness, Coleman continued his workout. “There was a loud crunching sound,” he said. “I heard it, but the athlete in you is like, ‘Let’s go on.‘” Since then, nearly all his neck and back discs have been operated on.
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Despite his surgical setbacks, Coleman rose to the ladder of fame in bodybuilding. He has lost most of his mobility, but he continues to fulfill his duties as a father, husband, and entrepreneur.
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Coleman knows his desire to work out despite doctors’ advice has worsened him. “All the hardware kind of interferes with the nerves,” he said. “I used to be able to bend over and do all these crazy stretches. I can’t do that no more.”
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WATCH THIS STORY: Here’s Everything You Need to Know About 8 time Mr. Olympia Winner Ronnie Coleman’s Battle With 13 Surgeries
“Yeah I know what some of you are thinking and no I’m NEVER gonna quit working out,” The King said. What is your take on Coleman’s unwavering commitment to gymming and bodybuilding? Tell us in the comments.