He is young enough that he should embark on an education program to get certification in some job category that has high likelihood of landing jobs. I am thinking physical education teacher in the schools, registered nurse, maybe something in law enforcement or probabtion, etc. where a certification is involved. This will mean several years in college which is tough to afford, but there are a lot of federal education grants, etc. Important that he not have any criminal convictions, but if I were in his shoes, I would embark on getting educated for a whole new career because he has enough working years ahead of him to make it pay off. Forget about bodybuilding in the meanwhile. Be a skinny ex-pro. No realistic way to waste money on gym drugs during this period of education. I know other guys in this same position and it's tough, because it takes a whole new mind-set and it's hard to make the finances work while you're going for the new education. Maybe even move in with his parents for a while and take public transportation. If he realizes this is only a short-term strategy for an important longer-term goal, maybe his ego can tolerate it. This is the only realistic thing to do, otherwise you'll just retire and die broke. These guys are paying the price of living the pro bodybuilder lifestyle which is exciting in your 30s and into early 40s but does not do much for you after that.
