Ronnie Coleman is an American former professional bodybuilder who won the Mr. Olympia title eight consecutive times from 1998 to 2005, tying the record with Lee Haney. He now uses a wheelchair or crutches due to multiple surgeries on his spine, hips, and neck, yet continues training and running his supplement business while maintaining his status as one of the sport’s most influential figures.
Who Is Ronnie Coleman?
Ronald Dean Coleman was born on May 13, 1964, in Monroe, Louisiana, to Ed Coleman and Jessie Benton Coleman. His path to greatness wasn’t straightforward. After graduating with a degree in accounting from Grambling State University, Coleman couldn’t land a job in his field and ended up working at Domino’s Pizza before answering an ad for a police officer position.
He graduated from the police academy and joined the Arlington Police Department, remaining on the force until 2004, even as he collected Mr. Olympia wins at the sport’s highest level.
Coleman started training at Metroflex Gym in Arlington, where owner Brian Dobson saw the 24-year-old’s potential and convinced him to compete in a contest in exchange for a free gym membership. That decision changed bodybuilding history.
The Rise to Olympia Dominance
Coleman’s competitive journey began in 1990, but success didn’t come immediately. His first Mr. Olympia appearance in 1992 saw him finish outside the top 15, a humbling start that would fuel his relentless work ethic.
The climb was gradual but steady. His first pro win came in 1995 at the Canada Pro Cup, which earned him another trip to the Olympia, where he moved up to 11th place. By 1996, he had climbed to sixth place. A third-place finish at the 1997 Ironman contest had him briefly considering retirement, which he later called the most “painful” loss of his career.
But Coleman persevered. In 1998, everything clicked. After asking competitor Flex Wheeler about his water retention issues and applying Wheeler’s advice, Coleman defeated him by just three points to claim his first Mr. Olympia title.
What followed was unprecedented. Coleman won the Mr. Olympia for eight consecutive years, earning 26 IFBB professional titles throughout his career. He became renowned for his combination of size and conditioning, dominant body parts, and extremely heavy workouts, making him the strongest Mr. Olympia of all time.
Training Philosophy: Heavy Weight, Hard Work
Coleman’s approach to training was simple but brutal. He combined powerlifting strength with bodybuilding volume, creating a style that few could match.
He built his entire program around progressive overload on big compound lifts: squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and rows. His numbers were staggering. In 2000, he deadlifted 755 pounds for four reps and then 800 pounds for two reps. In 2003, he squatted 800 pounds for two reps. He also performed a 495-pound bench press for reps.
His training split followed a six-day schedule, hitting each muscle group twice weekly. He trained for about 2 hours per day, doing 40+ sets per session, with a go-to rep range of 8-20 reps.
Coleman explained his training philosophy to FLEX magazine: “My three most hallowed training principles are to use the most weight possible; with the most correct form; through a full range of motion.”
His catchphrases became legendary. “Yeah Buddy!” and “Lightweight Baby!” weren’t just motivational slogans—they were his mindset. Even when squatting 800 pounds, Coleman maintained that nothing was too heavy.
During his prime, Coleman consumed around 6,000 calories per day to fuel his massive frame and intense training sessions. His diet wasn’t complicated—chicken, rice, beans, potatoes, and protein shakes formed the foundation.
The Peak Years: 2003-2005
In 2003, Coleman made massive improvements to his physique and came in at a staggering 292 pounds on-stage weight and ripped. Competitor Kevin Levrone stated that “Ronnie Coleman had reached a point where he didn’t look human backstage. It looked like a Silverback Gorilla.”
Between 2004 and 2005, Coleman reached his heaviest on-stage weight, coming in between 301-305 pounds for several Grand Prix competitions.
At the 2005 Mr. Olympia, announcer Mike Adamle introduced Coleman dressed in a medieval King’s costume with the words “On the Seventh day God didn’t rest, on the Seventh day God created Ronnie Coleman…” He secured his eighth consecutive title, matching Lee Haney’s record.
Coleman won his biggest prize money of $150,000 for his 2005 victory.
The Fall of the King
Coleman’s dominant reign finally ended in 2006 when Jay Cutler, who had been runner-up four times, edged him to earn his first title. Coleman came with the biggest upper arms he ever posed on stage at over 24 inches in contest shape, but his clearly visible lat asymmetry cost him a ninth title.
Coleman competed one final time at the 2007 Mr. Olympia before retiring from professional competition.
The Injury Timeline: A Body Breaking Down
The truth about Coleman’s injuries is complex. While many assume bodybuilding destroyed his body, Coleman himself offers a different perspective.
Coleman suffered his first back injury when attempting to squat 500 pounds in a powerlifting meet at only 17 years old. He stated that his back injuries came from playing football, specifically during his sophomore year, when he hurt it badly while also injuring his neck.
In 1996, Ronnie suffered a serious back injury during a squatting routine with 800 pounds loaded on the barbell for two reps, which led him to dislocate a disk. Instead of seeking medical attention immediately, he decided to move over to the leg press, which would change his life forever.
Coleman competed for another 11 years before addressing his injuries. Only after competing for the last time at the 2007 Mr. Olympia did he finally address his back pain with the spinal surgery a doctor recommended 10 years prior.
The Surgical Journey: 13 Operations
What followed was a medical nightmare that would consume the next decade of Coleman’s life.
During a conversation with Joe Rogan on his podcast, Coleman revealed that he had 13 surgeries, which included neck, hip, and back surgeries.
In 2014, he had both hips replaced. In December 2015, after getting off an airplane in Russia following a long flight, he noticed his back was especially sore. Two days later, he was on crutches, and he’s needed them to walk distances ever since.
The next month, back in Texas, he had back surgery that lasted 13 hours, and according to Coleman, “everything was downhill from there.”
In 2018 alone, he had three spinal surgeries: one to fuse vertebrae, another to fix screws from the previous surgery that had broken, and a third to replace all the screws with bigger screws.
In 2020, having broken a socket, he had both hips replaced again. All told, he’s had 13 surgeries: to his hips (twice), his neck (twice), and his back (nine times). He’s had surgery on all 25 spinal discs.
Coleman stated in a Facebook video: “One day, I didn’t know that would ever happen because I had so much damage done to my body from many surgeries. A lot of it has been with the way the surgeon performed that surgery. The surgeon that I had did three surgeries that went really badly and caused a lot of damage to my body.”
The financial toll was devastating. Coleman revealed: “The last three surgeries I had, I spent almost 2 million dollars.”
Current Health Status
Today, Coleman’s reality is far different from his competitive days. Despite using a wheelchair because he can no longer walk unassisted due to surgical procedures, Coleman continues to train, but uses only light weights now.
His entire spinal column is fused, except for one disc, which is now herniated. He has 14 screws, two cages to hold discs together, and two rods about 18 inches long in his spine.
Coleman can only walk short distances without crutches. Beyond that, his legs begin to feel too weak to hold him because of the nerve damage in his back.
In 2024, Coleman faced yet another health crisis. He was hospitalized following a severe infection in his bloodstream. His family stated: “Ronnie is currently under close medical care, and while his condition remains delicate, we’re encouraged to share that he is awake, aware, and fully conscious.”
Despite these challenges, Coleman maintains a positive outlook. When asked about his career, he said he maintains a positive mindset and does not consider his injuries and pain a bad thing. He continued: “When you do something that you truly love and enjoy doing, that’s what you look forward to doing all the time, regardless of how you feel.”
Business Ventures and Net Worth
Coleman successfully transitioned from athlete to entrepreneur. In 2011, Coleman launched Ronnie Coleman Signature Series (RCSS), a supplement company that provides sports nutrition and wellness products for bodybuilders and other athletes. Products such as ‘King Whey’ whey protein, ‘King Mass’ weight gainer, and pre-workout product ‘Yeah buddy’ are among some of the bestsellers.
The company is owned and operated by Coleman himself, with a team comprised of industry veterans who embrace the health and fitness lifestyle on a daily basis.
Estimates of Coleman’s net worth vary. His net worth is estimated at $2 million, though before suffering health and financial issues, his net worth was around $25 million. Other estimates place his net worth at around $10 million as of 2024.
The disparity reflects the massive medical expenses he’s incurred. However, Coleman continues generating revenue through his supplement company, public appearances, and social media presence.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Coleman was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame in 2016 and was awarded the ‘Arnold Schwarzenegger Lifetime Achievement Award’ in 2021.
In 2018, filmmaker Vlad Yudin documented Coleman’s life and career in the Netflix documentary “Ronnie Coleman: The King.” The film chronicles both his competitive triumphs and his struggles with health issues.
Coleman remains active on social media, sharing workout videos and motivational content with millions of followers. His YouTube channel has amassed over 1.5 million subscribers who tune in for training videos, life updates, and motivational content.
His influence extends beyond statistics. Coleman redefined what was possible in bodybuilding, bringing a level of mass and conditioning that judges and competitors had never seen. Olympia head-judge Steve Weinberger said that Coleman brought a level of muscularity the world has never seen before or since.
Personal Life
In 1998, Coleman met French-Lebanese personal trainer Rouaida Christine Achkar at a sports exposition in Paris, and they got married in 2007. However, they divorced soon after.
In 2016, Coleman married American personal trainer Susan Williamson. They reside in Arlington, Texas, along with their four daughters. Coleman is a devout Christian and a family man.
Lessons from The King
Coleman’s story offers profound lessons about ambition, sacrifice, and the price of greatness.
His relentless pursuit of perfection pushed him to heights no one had reached. But it also extracted a physical toll that left him unable to walk without assistance. Despite his concerning health condition, Coleman asserts that if given a chance, he’d do it all over again without any changes.
This isn’t recklessness—it’s the mindset of someone who achieved exactly what he set out to accomplish. Coleman didn’t stumble into eight Mr. Olympia titles. He earned them through years of punishing training, strict discipline, and unwavering commitment.
His current health struggles serve as a cautionary tale for athletes pushing extreme boundaries. Yet Coleman himself expresses no regrets. He stated that when you do something you truly love and enjoy doing, that’s what you look forward to, regardless of how you feel.
What Ronnie Coleman Is Doing Now
In 2024, Coleman took fans on a journey through sessions at the MAD Recovery Center in Abu Dhabi. The wellness facility aims to heal athletes through various forms of physiotherapy, including extensive red light therapy.
Coleman still works out regularly, though with only light weights, and he still sticks to a bodybuilder’s diet, though for only three meals daily instead of the six or more he ate during his competitive years.
He continues running his supplement company, making public appearances, and staying connected with fans through social media. His YouTube channel features collaborations with current bodybuilders and fitness influencers, passing his knowledge to the next generation.
FAQs
How many Mr. Olympia titles did Ronnie Coleman win?
Ronnie Coleman won the Mr. Olympia title eight consecutive times from 1998 to 2005, tying the record with Lee Haney.
Why can’t Ronnie Coleman walk normally?
Coleman underwent 13 surgeries on his spine, hips, and neck due to injuries sustained from heavy lifting and previous football injuries. The surgeries resulted in nerve damage and fused vertebrae, requiring him to use crutches or a wheelchair.
How much did Ronnie Coleman spend on surgeries?
Coleman revealed he spent approximately $2 million on his last three surgeries alone, with total medical expenses likely much higher across all 13 procedures.
What is Ronnie Coleman’s net worth?
Estimates vary between $2 million and $10 million as of 2024, significantly lower than his peak wealth of around $25 million before extensive medical expenses.
Does Ronnie Coleman regret bodybuilding?
No. Despite his health struggles, Coleman has stated he would do it all over again without changes, emphasizing that pursuing what you love is worth any sacrifice.
What supplements does Ronnie Coleman sell?
His Ronnie Coleman Signature Series includes products like King Whey protein, King Mass weight gainer, and Yeah Buddy pre-workout supplement.
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