I remember an old article where he said it was between $150-200,000. Mentzer mentioned having to go to the post office with a couple of army duffel bags a week to pick up everything.-------------------------Speaking of good articles, this one is great - https://physicalculturestudy.com/2020/04/27/peter-mcgough-the-mike-menzter-story-flex-magazine-september-2001-2/ .You can map Mike's downfall from it.He was using amphetamines from the late 70's - onward. He had no problem with them because they made him productive, and if he was productive then there is no problem was his line of thought.“I was in love with being conscious – amphetamines have that effect on a lot of people. I’d read the literature on amphetamines and had never heard of any long-term physical damage, but I did know that it could possibly result in acute episodes of psychosis. I saw no problem for me because I was convinced I was focused enough and that my use was channeled in a positive direction.“I didn’t think there was anything wrong in taking stimulants to make me work as hard as I was. A lot of people drink coffee and smoke cigarettes to stay stimulated and be productive. I was a productive genius, but I had lost sight of the fact that the body and the mind have limitations.”Late 70's, very close to the 1980 Olympia, his mother is very sick, near death it looks like.He almost burns himself out training for 1979 and 1980 contests.He loses the 1979 Overall Mr. O to Zane, and goes 5th at the 1980, behind Zane and Arnold.After the 80 O, he leaves everything having to do with Weider and The IFBB. By 1982, he's almost broke.Early 83, Nautilus / Jones hire him and Ray for promo work. They separate after about 1/2 a year, he makes up with Weider, but leaves in late 1983 to work for start up "Workout" magazine.He ups the amphetamines to deal with the workload.1985 looms, and his financial backers fold "Workout". He also loses his father, who, he was tremendously close to. Cathy Gelfo would leave later that year also.From 1985 - 1990 it would be a string of arrests and hospital commitments.
I'm surprised this video wasn't posted yet, so I'll do it. Taken just days before Mike and Ray's untimely deaths.Mike Mentzer taught what no gym trainer could. He was a legend. a great human being...this is not by judging the tightness of his skin but by the content of his noble character. Mike taught to think outside the box.to realize that precise training is the best and finally to have an objectivist view of life. I'd doubt he was a h0m0 either
Saw a podcast where the host suspected they died from DNP overdose.
They looked like they never trained before their death. Late 40's and they looked like hell.
x2. Almost wish that video was never seen. I recall the first time I saw it… Looked like they had never been in a gym—ever! Just random “old” guys sitting around shooting the shit… only to check out shortly thereafter.
Sad.. how old and unhealthy they both look in that video looking like poster boys for a Not to do type of thing"..Hard to believe they didn't even reach 50 .SAD .WoooSHHHHHHHHHHHHH LEVRO NEEEEEEEEEEEEE
If not only your physique but your ego are built on PEDs and speed ...Both Mentzers were victims of the mirror of their mind. And the Mentzers were neither the first nor last to do so. There are far, far too many victims of their own ego. And when the mirror breaks?Watch the end of "The Picture of Dorian Gray".
For someone who valued the mind and rational thinking he sure was mentally fragile. Is there any athlete or bodybuilder in history who had a bigger meltdown after a loss?
It's a special thing being of a gifted mind and then seeing a multitude of morons being gifted things that should have been yours, only because that the morons had allowed Joe enter their poopchute.Huge blow to the egoIt's like when a good looking bird chooses Shizzo over you
Mike wasn't nearly as good as he thought he was, especially at the 80 Olympia.
sorry but Mentzer obviously killed Arnold in 1980. just look at the difference in leg mass, arm size and just width alone in this photoArnolds win here was just a Weider gift to Arnold(just like their gift to Columbo in 81) and revenge on Mentzer.
Sad.. how old and unhealthy they both look in that video
Sorry but Mentzer was fifth. If anyone had a beef with Arnold winning it should have been Roger Walker. One picture does not a contest make. Look at all the photos and the limited video and you will see Mentzer was nowhere close to best on that day. He over dieted because of his loss to Zane in 79 not knowing Arnold was entering the contest. He came in fifth so it didn't matter.
Do you think Mentzer won the 80 Olympia?
