Ronnie Coleman, the legendary bodybuilder famous for his eight Mr. Olympia wins, has faced significant health challenges since retiring from competitive bodybuilding.
Here’s a breakdown of what happened:
-
Injuries: During his career, Ronnie pushed his body to the limits. A weightlifting incident in 1996 caused a herniated disc in his back, which he didn’t address promptly. This led to further injuries and chronic pain in his back, neck, shoulders, and hips.
-
Multiple surgeries: To manage the pain and attempt to repair the damage, Ronnie underwent a staggering 13 surgeries, including two hip replacements and multiple spinal procedures. Unfortunately, some surgeries reportedly had complications.
-
Limited mobility: The surgeries and accumulated injuries significantly impacted Ronnie’s mobility. For a while, he relied on a wheelchair and crutches.
-
Staying active: Despite the challenges, Ronnie maintains a positive attitude and remains committed to fitness. He continues to exercise, albeit with much lighter weights, and uses physical therapy to regain mobility.
Here are some additional points to consider:
- Steroid use in bodybuilding is a complex issue, and its potential role in Ronnie’s health problems is debated.
- Ronnie’s story has sparked discussions about the long-term health consequences of extreme bodybuilding practices.
If you’d like to delve deeper, you can find documentaries and articles about Ronnie Coleman that explore his career and health journey in more detail.