THIS real life example, may clearly illustrate my meaning on this issue:
I competed in a lot of state/regional UN-tested NPC shows in the 1990's.
It was my choice NOT to use steroids/PED's to compete.
I understood and accepted I'd be up against plenty of juiced up dudes.
Doing it "my way" placed me at a disadvantage and I accepted it.
Like everyone who competes, I had a choice to use drugs or not.
I didn't use, and I accepted the consequences of my actions with few complaints.
I simply stayed at the regional level , did ok and gave up on national or pro card glory.
That's the real point.
While we all have choices, few people want to accept and embrace the consequences of our choices.
Howard every person you've mentioned have accepted the consequences of their actions. The guy who hadn't had sex with his wife for 7 years was embracing his circumstances.
Your real point is you don't agree with their decisions. You turn the thread into a pro Howard piece about how you made the right decision.
Your example of bodybuilding is poor. Many people compete in events they won't win or have the chance of being a pro, drugs or no drugs. Was being a professional bodybuilder a goal of yours, because you reference it a lot.
Even with all the drugs available do you think you would have been a pro? Maybe you were at a disadvantage along because of genetics but you refuse to examine that prospect, instead being drug free, "doing it your way", is the reason why you didnt win.
What future pros did you compete against? Or at least top level national competitors?
Are you looking for affirmation from strangers on life lived well? Or are you upset that you're no longer a judge on the npc level and the sport has moved on without you?