From Jimmy Mentis
"Let’s talk about something that makes a lot of people uncomfortable. The deaths we’re seeing in bodybuilding and the fitness industry. First, let me say this. Every life lost is a tragedy. My heart goes out to the families, the friends, and everyone affected. But somewhere along the line, we have to have an uncomfortable conversation. We all knew we were playing with fire.
We knew the risks. We knew the potential consequences. Yet we made the decision to keep going. It’s like driving a car 140 miles an hour toward a concrete wall and then acting shocked when there’s a collision. Now look around you.
Instagram accounts teaching people what steroids to take and how much. YouTube channels discussing cycles. Podcasts dedicated to PED protocols. Think about that for a second. We’ve gone from warning people about the dangers to educating them on how to participate. And somehow, we’ve convinced ourselves that education eliminates the risk. It doesn’t.
I’m not here to judge anyone. How could I? I played Russian roulette with my own health for 30 years. I was warned. I was told there was a possibility I wouldn’t make it to the other side. And you know what? I didn’t listen. I made my choices. I accepted the risks. And fortunately, I’m still here to talk about them. But that doesn’t mean everyone will be as fortunate. And I can almost guarantee that the majority of people reading this who are currently taking these risks won’t listen either. Because I was once exactly where they are.
So here’s my question. Who are we to tell grown adults how to live their lives when many of us ignored the exact same warnings? I’m not promoting it. I’m not condemning anyone. I’m simply telling you what 45 years in this industry have taught me. You can educate someone about the risks. But you cannot make their decisions for them. And unfortunately, sometimes the consequences are permanent."
