Ronnie Coleman, a name synonymous with bodybuilding excellence, is often regarded as the greatest of all time (GOAT) in the sport. An eight-time Mr. Olympia champion, Coleman’s physique and strength were unmatched during his reign, making him a legend in the industry.
However, in recent years, at the age of 59, Ronnie Coleman has faced significant health challenges, including walking with the aid of crutches or a wheelchair.
Here we will discuss what caused these injuries, why multiple spinal surgeries have failed, and whether Coleman can ever fully recover. More importantly, it explores the lessons we can learn from his experiences, both in terms of health and his unwavering positive attitude.
The Start of Ronnie Coleman’s Injuries
Ronnie Coleman’s journey toward becoming a bodybuilding icon began with heavy lifting at a young age, and unfortunately, so did his injuries. At just 17 years old, while attempting to squat 500 pounds at a powerlifting meet, Coleman suffered his first major back injury.
In his autobiography Yeah Buddy!, he vividly recounts the moment: “Suddenly, something happened. CRACK. I instantly felt like a giant flash of lightning penetrated my lower back, burning my entire backside.” This was just the beginning of a series of injuries that would plague him throughout his career.
In college, while playing football as a linebacker at Grambling State University, Ronnie Coleman endured further neck and back injuries.
These injuries would become part of his daily life, even before he entered the world of professional bodybuilding.
Despite these setbacks, Ronnie Coleman pushed through, entering and winning his first bodybuilding contest in 1990 and turning professional just two years later.
Ronnie Coleman’s Heavy Lifting and Early Success
Ronnie Coleman‘s love for heavy lifting and relentless training set him apart from his peers. Training at Metroflex Gym in Arlington, Texas, he became known not only for his massive physique but also for his immense strength. In 1994, he pulled an incredible 727.5 pounds at the Texas Deadlift Classic.
This was just one example of the kind of weight Coleman was capable of moving, as he continued to push himself harder with each passing year.
In 1997, however, Ronnie Coleman faced a turning point. While squatting 600 pounds, he severely herniated a disc in his back.
As he recalled in an interview with Joe Rogan, “I was coming up on rep number eight, and all of sudden—BOW!—it was a loud, gunshot sound. I’d do 600 for like 12-13 reps all the time. This time I took two weeks off [before that leg workout], and I thought I was still as strong as before… but I wasn’t.”
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Despite the injury, Coleman, driven by the athlete in him, finished the workout. When the pain persisted, an MRI revealed a herniated disc. He was advised to undergo surgery but refused, as his career was skyrocketing.
Ronnie Coleman: Dominating Mr. Olympia and Pushing Limits
In 1998, Ronnie Coleman won his first of eight consecutive Mr. Olympia titles, and his dominance in the sport was established. Throughout this period, Coleman continued to train with mind-boggling weights, despite the increasing toll on his body. His training regimen became the stuff of legend.
For instance, in 2003, he squatted 800 pounds for two reps, an incredible feat of strength that was filmed for a workout video. Similarly, in 2000, he deadlifted 800 pounds for two reps.
However, it was Ronnie Coleman’s squatting that seemed to cause the most damage. Even after his initial injury in 1997, he continued to squat heavy weights.
In 2005, at the age of 41, I witnessed him squat 585 pounds for 10 deep reps before his final Mr. Olympia win.
The intensity of his workouts never diminished, and this approach ultimately contributed to his long-term physical decline.
Ronnie Coleman Surgeries and Health Decline
Ronnie Coleman’s competitive career ended in 2007 after his final appearance at the Mr. Olympia.
It was then that he finally addressed his back issues, undergoing the spinal surgery that had been recommended a decade earlier.
Unfortunately, this marked the beginning of a long and painful journey through a series of unsuccessful surgeries.
Since 2007, Ronnie Coleman has undergone a staggering 13 surgeries, including nine on his back and two hip replacements. His entire spinal column is now fused, except one disc, which is currently herniated.
In 2018 alone, Ronnie Coleman endured three spinal surgeries, including procedures to replace broken screws with larger ones. Sadly, these surgeries have not only failed to relieve his pain but have also left him unable to walk without crutches.
In interviews, Ronnie Coleman has expressed frustration with the medical treatment he received, particularly criticizing the surgeons who performed his last few operations.
According to him, “A lot of it has to do with the way the surgeon performed the surgery… every surgery I’ve had done was like $300,000 to $500,000. The last three surgeries I had I spent almost 2 million dollars.”
Ronnie Coleman Today: A Warrior’s Spirit
Despite the immense physical pain and limitations, Ronnie Coleman remains remarkably positive. He continues to train, albeit with lighter weights, and sticks to a bodybuilder’s diet.
Now 60 years old, Coleman remains dedicated to his passion for fitness and bodybuilding, even though his body no longer allows him to lift the enormous weights he once did.
Ronnie Coleman is also a family man, with a wife and four young daughters.
His determination to continue improving his health has led him to seek alternative treatments, including stem cell therapy and hyperbaric treatments, in an effort to alleviate his pain and regain mobility.
When asked by Joe Rogan about whether his constant surgeries and pain have given him pause about continuing to lift, Coleman’s response was resolute: “No, when you’re doing something that you truly love and enjoy doing, that’s what you look forward to doing all the time… Of course, I’m still in pain… but long as I’m doing what I love doing I’m okay.”
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The Legacy of Ronnie Coleman
Ronnie Coleman’s story is one of perseverance, strength, and an unyielding passion for bodybuilding. His journey serves as a lesson in both the rewards and the consequences of pushing the human body to its absolute limits.
While his heavy lifting contributed to his injuries, Coleman does not regret the path he took. His only regret, as he once stated, was not pushing himself harder on that legendary 800-pound squat.
Ronnie Coleman’s tale is a reminder that greatness often comes with sacrifices. Despite the physical toll, he remains an inspiring figure, proving that a champion’s spirit can endure even the harshest of trials.