Post I made a bit back, where I tired to chart Mike's downfall -
" 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. "
