The field of bodybuilding demands a lot of sacrifices. However, it changes those who come in as aspiring bodybuilders into motivated and inspiring champions. Certain gems, like Ronnie Coleman, Kai Greene, and Flex Wheeler, have been a constant ray of hope amidst the difficult roads in the sport of bodybuilding. In fact, Flex Wheeler is an example of how to persevere despite being dragged down by life. Flex Wheeler had an interesting journey throughout his career as a bodybuilder. The champion started off as a martial artist and trained under Bruce Lee. He then went on to pick up bodybuilding professionally. However, his life before and after bodybuilding has been quite different, according to his friends. Let’s find out why. FLEX WHEELER WAS A BEAST BACK WHEN HE WAS YOUNG Flex had a difficult childhood. Apart from being bullied, the champion also faced poverty. He grew up learning martial arts under Bruce Lee, which helped him stay fit. However, he once recalled how he was a beast back then, in terms of his behavior. In an interview, he talked [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSpBR0q6fiU&t=159s] about his friends and his life before bodybuilding. Flex Wheeler [https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1205707490.jpg]COLUMBUS, OH – MARCH 07: Harold Kelley (4) is interviewed by IFBB Pro Legend Flex Wheeler after winning Pro Wheelchair as part of the Arnold Sports Festival on March 7, 2020, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) While the champion is now quite amicable, it wasn’t the case back when he was young. Flex confessed, “they wouldn’t tell me back then because I was a different type of uh beast back then, but they tell me now – ‘man you know Flex and you were hard to deal with man. You were hard to be around with back in the days.” Dyslexia as a Child Once Revealed He ‘Tried to Kill’ Himself Several Times [https://www.essentiallysports.com/us-sports-news-bodybuilding-news-i-wish-i-loved-myself-more-bodybuilding-legend-who-struggled-with-dyslexia-as-a-child-once-revealed-he-tried-to-kill-himself-several-times/] Considering how Flex Wheeler went through physical and emotional troubles since childhood, the legend was a beast to handle. However, he came through with his bodybuilding career. While his troubles never ended, he still proved himself in the biggest stage. After his retirement from the sport, Flex went through some serious health issues. He had trouble in his kidneys and was on the verge of losing his life. He survived but ended up with an amputated leg. Hearing about such hardships might invoke a sense of sadness among his fans. But the star never gave up and is now vocal about his struggles. He continues to be an inspiration for many. Coleman in a beast-like structure [https://www.essentiallysports.com/stories/us-sports-news-six-bodybuilders-who-can-defeat-8-time-mr-olympia-ronnie-coleman-in-beast-like-structure/] 

Growing up, bodybuilding legend Flex Wheeler gave a tough time to his friends.
The champion was a beast even back then, just a different kind.

Radha Iyer is working as a US Sports author for EssentiallySports. She has a
Master's degree in Media and Communications from Pandit Deendayal Energy
University. Radha has worked as a content writer for over a year. She is an avid
reader and loves to be surrounded by nature. Her background in journalism helps
her stay on track with the trends and pick up on what's hot. Radha keenly
follows the Olympics and admires the likes of great gymnasts like Simone Biles.

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“Was a Different Beast Back Then”: Before He Became a Pro Bodybuilder, Flex
Wheeler’s Friends Feared Him for His Bad Temper

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Coleman Makes a Surprising Confession About His Back Injury: “I Actually Hurt It
Playing Football”

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Out of all the competitions in the world, bodybuilding stays apart as a unique one. Athletes train for years to perfect their bodies and develop muscular mass. Likewise, athletes who train for competitions are understood as bodybuilders. In professional competitions like the Mr. Olympia event, bodybuilders stand on the stage, posing for various parts of their bodies. Judges rank them based on their symmetry, muscularity, size, conditioning, posing, and stage presentation. There are various competitions in bodybuilding but the Mr. Olympia contest stands apart from the rest.

[caption id="attachment_1155128" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="wp-image-1155128 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-3238896.jpg" alt="Arnold Schwarzenegger" width="1920" height="1278" /> circa 1966: Austrian-born bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger points one hand out as he flexes his torso on Muscle Beach, Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)[/caption]
<h2>History of bodybuilding</h2>
Old Greeks became the inspiration for people to start bodybuilding. After that, modern competitions came up from various theatrical acts and other circus acts. They held the first <a href="https://www.britannica.com/sports/bodybuilding" target="_blank" rel="noopener">contest</a> in 1903 in New York. The winner of the competition was Al Treloar and dubbed "The Most Perfectly Developed Man in the World." Significantly, organizers saw potential in that and the start of the Mr. America contest showcased some of the best talents. The rise of various bodybuilders across the globe saw the Mr. Universe event come into place and it became the main event for over 25 years. But, the late 1970s saw Joe Weider come up with a grand plan and create the Mr. Olympia contest.

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-1081968 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/lou-ferrigno-arnold-schwarzenegger.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
<h2>Mr. Olympia contest</h2>
The contest that captured the minds of fans was the Mr. Olympia contest under the International Federation of Bodybuilding &amp; Fitness. Weider helps these bodybuilders to earn money by competing in events. They held the first competition on September 18, 1965, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York City. Larry Scott won the first two titles. Moreover, the bodybuilders with the highest number of titles are Lee Haney and Ronnie Coleman. In the meantime, to make their entry into the market, the famous documentary, Pumping Iron, saw the buildup to the 1975 Mr. Olympia contest. It helped athletes like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno, and Franco Columbu.
<h2>Famous bodybuilders</h2>
There are several bodybuilders to grace the grand stage. But some bodybuilders achieved greatness with their astonishing bodies.
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Arnold Schwarzenegger:?</strong></li>
</ul>
The Austrian bodybuilder is one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time. The Austrian Oak is a seven-time bodybuilding champion and became an influential personality in the business. He then transitioned himself to various acting roles, became an investor, and was elected as the Governor of California. Some of his movies like Terminator 2, Commando, Twins, and Conan the Barbarian are some of his classics.
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Ronnie Coleman:</strong></li>
</ul>
Dubbed to be the greatest bodybuilder of all time, Ronnie Coleman put his life and soul into the sport. He is an eight-time Mr. Olympia winner and became the most dominant bodybuilder in the business. Netflix released a documentary featuring his life in the bodybuilding industry. His size and conditioning stood apart from everyone else. A true champion who wore his heart on his sleeve.

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-1036377 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/ronnie-coleman.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Lee Haney:</strong></li>
</ul>
Like Coleman, Lee Haney became an eight-time Mr. Olympia champion. He dedicated his body to the sport and was one of the most exciting bodybuilders on stage. Haney had a humongous waist size of 32.5 inches. Therefore, Haney deserves a special mention for his performances.

&nbsp;

Bodybuilding

Out of all the competitions in the world, bodybuilding stays apart as a unique one. Athletes train for years to perfect their bodies and develop muscular mass. Likewise, athletes who train for competitions are understood as bodybuilders. In professional competitions like the Mr. Olympia event, bodybuilders stand on the stage, posing for various parts of their bodies. Judges rank them based on their symmetry, muscularity, size, conditioning, posing, and stage presentation. There are various competitions in bodybuilding but the Mr. Olympia contest stands apart from the rest. circa 1966: Austrian-born bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger points one hand out as he flexes his torso on Muscle Beach, Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) History of bodybuilding Old Greeks became the inspiration for people to start bodybuilding. After that, modern competitions came up from various theatrical acts and other circus acts. They held the first contest in 1903 in New York. The winner of the competition was Al Treloar and dubbed &#8220;The Most Perfectly Developed Man in the World.&#8221; Significantly, organizers saw potential in that and the start of the Mr. America contest showcased some of the best talents. The rise of various bodybuilders across the globe saw the Mr. Universe event come into place and it became the main event for over 25 years. But, the late 1970s saw Joe Weider come up with a grand plan and create the Mr. Olympia contest. Mr. Olympia contest The contest that captured the minds of fans was the Mr. Olympia contest under the International Federation of Bodybuilding &amp; Fitness. Weider helps these bodybuilders to earn money by competing in events. They held the first competition on September 18, 1965, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York City. Larry Scott won the first two titles. Moreover, the bodybuilders with the highest number of titles are Lee Haney and Ronnie Coleman. In the meantime, to make their entry into the market, the famous documentary, Pumping Iron, saw the buildup to the 1975 Mr. Olympia contest. It helped athletes like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno, and Franco Columbu. Famous bodybuilders There are several bodybuilders to grace the grand stage. But some bodybuilders achieved greatness with their astonishing bodies. Arnold Schwarzenegger:? The Austrian bodybuilder is one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time. The Austrian Oak is a seven-time bodybuilding champion and became an influential personality in the business. He then transitioned himself to various acting roles, became an investor, and was elected as the Governor of California. Some of his movies like Terminator 2, Commando, Twins, and Conan the Barbarian are some of his classics. Ronnie Coleman: Dubbed to be the greatest bodybuilder of all time, Ronnie Coleman put his life and soul into the sport. He is an eight-time Mr. Olympia winner and became the most dominant bodybuilder in the business. Netflix released a documentary featuring his life in the bodybuilding industry. His size and conditioning stood apart from everyone else. A true champion who wore his heart on his sleeve.  Lee Haney: Like Coleman, Lee Haney became an eight-time Mr. Olympia champion. He dedicated his body to the sport and was one of the most exciting bodybuilders on stage. Haney had a humongous waist size of 32.5 inches. Therefore, Haney deserves a special mention for his performances. &nbsp;

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Growing up, bodybuilding legend Flex Wheeler gave a tough time to his friends. The champion was a beast even back then, just a different kind.

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“Was a Different Beast Back Then”: Before He Became a Pro Bodybuilder, Flex Wheeler’s Friends Feared Him for His Bad Temper

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Flex Wheeler was a beast back when he was young