“You Ate All That Crap”: Ronnie Coleman Recalled Losing to a Veteran Bodybuilder in 1994, Despite Following a Commonly Practiced Diet

8X Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman is a legend in the world of bodybuilding. But even legends have their moments of defeat. Coleman’s reign in the sport started later in 1998. Before that, the stage was dominated by the likes of Flex Wheeler, Kevin Levrone, and Shawn Ray. Despite trying his best in terms of diet and nutrition, Coleman placed 15th during the 1994 Olympia. 

Despite an on-stage rivalry, Wheeler and Coleman shared a great bond off-stage. Coleman has previously revealed that he made a few changes in his diet after taking advice from Wheeler himself. These tweaks in his diet helped Ronnie win his first show and later helped him win numerous competitions. Coleman also revealed that Wheeler himself followed a “crap” diet.

Strict diet Vs. Crap diet

In a 2016 interview with musculardevelopment.com, Flex Wheeler and Ronnie Coleman discussed their friendship over the years in depth. It was during this interview that Coleman revealed that he used to rely on a specific, commonly consumed bodybuilding diet comprising of chicken, tuna, rice, and others. On the other hand, Wheeler used to eat hamburgers and ham sandwiches and was still winning. 

“You was eating hamburgers and ham sandwiches every time I saw you. Everybody else was eating grilled chicken, tuna out the can, and rice cakes. You ate all that crap and you were still winning,” recalled Coleman. 

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Coleman continued by revealing that in 1994, Wheeler gave a few tips to Coleman which helped him become a champion. At the time, Wheeler was unaware that these tips would transform Coleman to such an extent, that he would surpass the legacy of Wheeler himself. 

‘The King’s Domination at 99’ Olympia

Wheeler was motivated to make a big comeback after Coleman won the Olympia in 1998. In 98, he recalls that Coleman defeated him “by 2 points or something.” So he was ready to close the gap the following year. He felt that he had missed out on something and wanted to give it his all this time.

Wheeler stated that he was “back with a lot better and lot bigger, and I felt like I could close that gap.” Coleman, on the other hand, not only defeated the bodybuilder for the second time, but he left no room for the latter to work on. Coleman came out on top with a flawless score. The perfect score made Wheeler realize that “he is out of my reach.”

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Despite the loss, Flex Wheeler was “comfortable that he won with a perfect score” because had that not been the case, then, like the previous time, it would have left him room to work out. For Coleman, this was just the beginning of his winning streak.