The Dark Truth Behind Mike Mentzer (Documentary)

Mike Mentzer was a bodybuilding genius and one of the sport’s most prominent and inspirational characters. During his short-lived career, he was the first bodybuilder in history to receive a perfect score of 300 and was famous for popularizing the high-intensity training technique that is still being discussed to this very day.

Mike was as controversial as he was enigmatic. He was known for going against the grain and for his disdain towards the IFBB after the 1980 Mr. Olympia loss that derailed his career and marked the beginning of his downfall.

It seemed like Mike and his younger brother Ray Mentzer had won the genetic lottery and were destined for greatness, but life was anything but easy for the Mentzers.

The pair died early in their mid-to-late forties. Ray suffered from a rare and debilitating kidney disorder, while Mike was a victim of drug addiction for many years. Going from bodybuilding superstardom to being institutionalized, arrested, and written off as crazy by those who were once peers, friends, and associates.

This Mike Mentzer documentary tells his story of dedication, tragedy, and redemption.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mentzer started bodybuilding when he was 11 years old. He won several amateur bodybuilding competitions before turning professional in 1979, including the 1976 Mr. America title and the heavyweight division of the 1978 IFBB Mr. Universe. In late 1979, he won the heavyweight class of the Mr. Olympia, but lost in the overall to Frank Zane. In the 1980 Mr. Olympia he placed fourth in a tie with Boyer Coe behind Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chris Dickerson and Frank Zane. Influenced by the concepts developed by Arthur Jones, Mentzer devised and successfully implemented his own theory of bodybuilding. One of the most iconic bodybuilders of all time, his Heavy Duty Training program still inspires lifters to this day. In 2002, he was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame.

00:00 - Prologue
01:11 - Early Passion
04:00 - A Rising Competitor
06:30 - Time Out
07:34 - Weider
08:49 - The Most Satisfying Win
09:35 - Mr. North America
10:36 - A Wakeup Call
11:13 - The Perfect Bodybuilder
12:05 - A Devastating News
12:45 - 1979 Mr. Olympia
14:25 - The Austrian Oak
16:46 - Whatever it Takes
18:21 - The Comeback
19:40 - A Brewing Tension
23:03 - The 1980 Disaster
25:32 - The Aftermath
29:47 - Gone Too Early
31:15 - Iconoclast

[Iron.Historian]

Do you think Mike should've actually won the 1980 Mr. Olympia? If not who'd you put in top 3?

[shovelhead]

Can not believe how you happened to find that interview at the 1 minute mark. The person on the left conducting the interview is my cousin, 26 at the time and just beginning his broadcast career at a free access public station in Santa Monica, CA. I sent him the video and he was absolutely flabbergasted to say the least. He is 60 today.

[drbonesshow]

I met Mike Mentzer in February 1979 (in Liverpool, NY) at one of his then Heavy Duty Training (HDT) seminars (featuring Nautilus equipment) later to become High Intensity Training (HIT). I wrote a letter to Mike in 1980, to tell him of my interest in understanding exercise through the lens of the physical sciences. As the “thinking man’s bodybuilder” Mike and I clicked and we would remain friends until he departed this world in 2001. He has not been forgotten by me as I always mention him whenever I talk to folks about HIT through the eyes of a physical sciences professor; that along with my extension of his work (and that of Nautilus inventor Arthur Jones), which I call: Extra Heavy Duty Resistance Training or X-HDRT.

[bondziotek]

cant imagine pursuing a sport for almost your whole life, making sacrifices then dieting for months while feeling like dying on many occasions just for arnold to win due to favourtism

[egolifter]

tbh nothing puts me to sleep better then listening to Mentzers old fashion videos on how to train. the sound of his voice with the old microphone and a good topic never gets old

[Danimal]

Mike was one of the few bodybuilders who didn't lie about his measurements. He stated he was 5'8" and 225 pounds and had 18 5/8" biceps versus 20" + as most of his colleagues claimed to have, which they didn't. You can throw Frank Zane into the conversation as well as being one of the honest bodybuilders.

[cablezilla]

This makes me SO upset how an event in life can lead to a persons downfall.
Mike had his issues, but he was a maverick and a pioneer. He deserved better in life than what he got.
Respect always for you Mike!

[scottcallis]

How very sad, two brothers passing two days apart. Never knew that. Thank you for your episode. It's very informative. RIP Mentzer Brothers 🙏

[middleagemuscle]

I grew a mustache once and named it the "The Mentzer"

[GruntProof]

So Arnold was always a slimy politician

[mhess]

Mike is enjoyable to listen to, not only because of his knowledge, but because of his speaking ability and vocabulary. He speaks with articulation that is rarely heard today.

[broederbond]

I knew the Mentzer brothers quite well. It was a pleasure to train at Ray's gym in Redondo Beach in the early 1980s. Both Mike and Ray were incredibly knowledgeable.

[mtroy]

I'm glad Mike is still remembered. I remember at one point there was an ad to call him for some kind of bb consulting service. I called and couldn't believe he actually answered the phone. I was flabbergasted.

[fabiandejesus]

One of the saddest stories in the ifbb

[allentempleton]

I started training in 1978. Contrary to today's beliefs drug use was rampant and totally legal. Lots of guys used doctor prescribed speed to get through grueling workouts and diets. Thyroid drugs and speed were the standard cutting stack. I would wager that most serious bodybuilders used speed at some point. Depending on a persons brain chemistry speed can give an almost instant state of uphoria and alertness that is extremely addictive. I watched a number of guys develop a dependence to the point they couldn't train without it. I was no exception. I didn't go overboard but definitely depended on the stimulants to creat the drive for intense workouts. I quit after having an injury that sidelined me from training for several years. I have always thought that Mike may have been one of those people that just couldn't walk away from the feeling of positive energy that speed gave some people it just creates a craving in the brain that's almost unshakable. It's been decades since I used any stimulants and still sometimes have the desire to use them. So sad that Mike couldn't shake that evil crap.

[nunayobiz]

Mike's most important contribution to bodybuilding was declaring that Over training is far worse than under training fro gaining muscle.
That and that the workouts posted in Muscle and fitness were horseshit unless you were on steroids.

[Nickpaintbrush]

Mentzer should definitely have won the 1980 Olympia, not enough pals in the right places though!

[Anthony-odou]

I knew the Mentzer brother’s out here in LA. I was 13 in 2000 and told them I wanted to look like them. They let me “workout” with them 3 different times (I followed them around and watched), I was devastated in 2001 when they both passed hours apart.

[FURIOSO]

Mike mentzer: the Albert Einstein of bodybuilding.
Rip legend.

[wulhdil]

Mike was such a sharp, charismatic and intelligent guy it’s such a shame him ending up like this