THE MIKE MENTZER STORY

[@reparativetherapycenter714]

I had the great privilege of being trained by Mike at Golds Venice about 1994 when his Heavy Duty system really took off. I greatly respected him. How could anyone not gasp at the sight of him in his top condition? He formed the basis of my bodybuilding, which has benefited me more than he ever knew even after all these years. He called me a friend, and I wish I could have spent more time with him. I remember being at his place for a New Years party and seeing the video tape of the controversial Mr. Olympia for the first time. He was brilliant. He was right about most everything at the time, and he had more integrity and value than any other pro bodybuilder that I have ever seen. He was dry-humored and passionate about what he believed in. He also suffered no fools. I am 66 now. I'm in the best shape of my life, and I'm going to make a decision about competing in the Masters level competition at some point this year. Man, I miss him. I can't thank you enough for producing this documentary. I hope Mike's life and work is cemented into history more and more each year.

[@ltroy_sw]

That's a wholesome story! Don't be sad, because it's over, be happy that it happened.) Thank you for sharing!

[@kingsnorkie]

Is it true he smoked meth before work outs? I see a bunch of comments saying that but I've yet to see a video where he admitted that

[@bertholdtimmermann5305]

❤

[@Chevvy_Mush]

​@kingsnorkie he addresses that in this video. Never smoked it. It was amphetamine in tablet form (Adderall, etc)

[@kingsnorkie]

@@Chevvy_Mush I wrote that like 10mins before the video got that there but thanks for the reply ✌

[@adamsBASSCOVERS]

Thanks for keeping The spirit of Mike alive.

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

You're welcome, Richard.

[@Ajudequemmerece]

​@@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE hey John I'm from Brazil and I would like to translate your channel to Portuguese Would you allow?? Tks

[@Coneman3]

His life would make a great film, allowing deeper insight into his character.

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

@@Coneman3 Agreed.

[@keendeesjarlais3636]

@@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE I was at the mr North America show in Vancouver , 7 rows back-- great memories-- question.. what was mikes stance on diety, God, afterlife.....

[@coreymichael1880]

I woke up at 7am here in the UK, on a Saturday morning. Sat eating my loaded oats while flicking through suggested KZbin videos and came upon this. It absolutely blew me away!!! So insightful, inspiring and motivating. I could have sat for 3 hours. What a great body, mind and human being Mike was. I take my hat off to you for making such a great video in honour of your friend. Truly amazing work here mate.

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Thanks very much.

[@BigBaller-he1dz]

Cheers mate!! From Pennsylvania, USA 😊

[@RichRobinson]

Yo! 🇬🇧

[@catyear75]

R.I.P. Mike Mentzer... a man of rare vision and intelligence...

[@LK-bz9sk]

This is the best hour and ten minutes I have spent in many years. Thank you Mike Mentzer and RIP.

[@ryangellatly8839]

Wow. The level he was talking about mental health and society in general is just astonishing for the time. So candidly expressing his lowest points in life just like he talked about his highs. Takes a real man to be this honest. Something very few men or women in bodybuilding or in general have ever done.

[@shehryarbilgrami9312]

John, you show us what true friendship and brotherhood is, I cannot thank you enough sir for spreading this knowledge about Mike, I'm just a teenager and I'm glad that I discovered this channel and the right methods to train at this age.

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Thanks for the kind words and for your post.

[@carlfreiermuth5424]

remember, the way he built himself up was not this one set idea, as he stated.. he was training 3 hours a day for 6 days a week. there is value and merit to this HIT ideology but it is best to be combined with other ideas too. it was a great benefit to him when he was training with the guy doing the Olympic lifts and the guy doing the power lifting. all different things coming together. rest periods, nutrition, breathing, rep tempo, .. many that try this HIT idea forget about warming up and wind up with injuries pretty quickly.. I believe beginners should focus on the basic compounds like squat bench row overhead press and deadlift.. I also believe in keeping the workout within 45 minutes which can get very challenging as one progresses.. 30 minutes of aerobic on off days can also be really good.. if you can use "doing something you enjoy" as aerobic.. that makes it even better.

[@tee356]

This is absolute gold!! Couldn't take my eyes off it. This is the greatest bodybuilding story in an athlete's own words. Have to watch this again. R.I.P Mr's Mike & Ray Mentzer.

[@aiemperormusic]

I believe that Mike Mentzer has had a profound impact on me as an individual, more so than anyone else I have come across. It brings me great joy to see that you are dedicated to keeping his spirit alive. I have recently ordered his book and I am of the opinion that more people should be exposed to the message of Mentzer.

[@whoisender]

That was one hell of a story. Thank you so much for making this. What a brilliant man he was. I often wonder if he wasn't taken from us so soon all the things he could've added on top of what he'd already done in his lifetime. RIP Mike & Ray. Wish you were still here 😢

[@No_hate420]

Thank you for keeping the legend of the most intelligent body builder alive

[@enanomonte3388]

“Through action, man becomes a hero. Through death, the hero becomes a legend. Over time, the legend becomes a myth. And learning from the myth, a man takes action." Thanks forever Mike The myth lives on

[@JoseRamirez-ql1on]

Thank you John, too you and everyone keeping Mike Mentzer alive

[@TheJoeyG88]

Man I gotta tell you what an absolute great tribute you guys somehow pieced together with limited material. Very Powerful. Thank You . What's crazy is I'm closing in on 50 years old in a few months and did not realize the Great Mike Mentzer passed away at the young age of 50. From this video and his honesty and philosophy he has the wisdom of someone who lived 10 lifetimes Amazing. Thank You.. 🤜🏻🤛🏻

[@chrisfaires8885]

Mentzers a genius,,it took me a while to de-program myself from high volume(Arnold’s books I read growing up) and switch to lower volume/frequency but high intensity ,I was making no gains doing the former.I read and study and watch all what Mike says and put to practice. All what’s he says comes true,weight/reps up every time! It looks low volume but do it correctly and you’ll soon realise no more is required!This man should have a Tv acted series about his life,capturing all the characters the era and his journey!

[@frankjgornickjr3676]

This was by far one of the best videos explaining Mike mentzer's life ! And he acknowledged his faults. It's a shame we lost a good man far too soon. Rest in peace

[@williamkazak469]

Wow! What a story. What a great video presentation this is. I was thinking what life could have been like if, after he won Mr. America he could have been content. Humans seem to like certain things too much, acquire too much, want too much. I would have liked to have seen what his diet consisted of through his years of training. RIP Mike and Ray.

[@oldsoldier64]

I was teenager when I started training in the 70s. Mike was my first hero. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this documentary. There are a few losers around that want to throw mud on Mike's Legacy. I cordially invite them to watch this documentary and then suck it. Thanks for posting!

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Thanks for your post, Tim. Much appreciated.

[@righteousiron8216]

Mike Mentzer... What a beautiful human being! Truly a self-made man. And a true survivor of life's traumas.

[@Sasa9464]

I am 46...sadly just discovered Mike week ago...but for a last week I cant stop thinking about him...and this video...made me cry towards the end...I am so sorry I would never be able to meet him...but he lives in my mind now...I will watch all his videos on this channel and on Friday I plan to start mikes 3 day spit HIT training...I sm so exited about it and thankful I finally met him... What a man...what a mind....what a beast...he is my hero now...I want now to get into best shape of my life and to dedicate my best physique to Mike Mentzer and his HIT 💪❤

[@punishedcorn8669]

A True Hero. Thank you John for keeping the flames of legacy burning. Currently reading The Wisdom of Mike Mentzer atm....so much to be learned from a legend

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Thanks for watching the video!

[@cole_goes_jim]

This video gonna blow up soon thank you for carrying on his legacy fr❤

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

That would be nice 😊

[@abatv1346]

Always great listening to the voice of Mike Mentzer.

[@biosphere8488]

I just saved this video so i can watch it later. Looking forward to it!

[@ibiza1290]

Been eating at Mike's recommended macros and pushing for that last virtually impossible rep. Thanks Mike. As another KZbinr said, I appreciate you keeping the memory of Mike Mentzer alive Fred, so we can keep Mike's memory alive through every training session and every meal.

[@ibiza1290]

​@@mmmbbop9351​lol 15% fat, 25% protein, 60% carbs. I have lean ground beef with pepper and onions, rice and wholemeal tortillas most days. Getting stronger every workout, fuller pumps, shorter rest times between sets. Bcaa helps with recovery too and I take krill oil and glucosamine for joints. Used my lean mass to calculate calories. Stretching is good for stiffness which can boost recovery. Hope that's helped.

[@mmmbbop9351]

@@ibiza1290 that was very helpful. Thankyou.

[@RobD-jq7ry]

I had my own ups and downs. Began using adderal in abundance. Slowly but surely lost my own grip on reality. Let me tell you having a friend such as yourself John...it cannot be understated how important that was to Mike. It would have been immeasurably important for me. I did not have that and by some miracle dug myself back out. But trust me you are a real true friend that anyone would be lucky to have.

[@76063co2]

John, thank you so much for creating such a comprehensive video. I've been a fan of Mike for over 35 years, and in that time, I continue to have a greater and greater appreciation for his legacy. I feel like there is a greater number of people just now discovering him and how far ahead of his time he was. It's great to see a renewed interest in him and his philosophy.

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

You’re very welcome. Thank you for your post.

[@67marlins]

This is fantastic, I've already saved it under my 'Health' folder. Thanks for posting.

[@Andershaakenstad]

Mike Mentzer has to be the most well spoken, articulate, smart and in depth intellectual that I have ever come across in my entire life. What a spectacular mind. And that’s not limited to merely his bodybuilding knowledge and his utterly unique understanding of science, logic and physiology. I’ve been reading and listening to every record that has this man’s voice, some even countless times, and he spoke with so much integrity, clarity and reason that I alomst refuse to believe he’s death was just a random tragic event, let alone his brothers death 2 days later. He literarily saw right through the completely fake and rigged society we live in, let alone all the corrupted people that organize it. He was a threat in every possible way to the greater powers of society that thrive on control by making their citizens misinformed, ignorant, dependent, passively accepting everything and actively discouraged to trust their own thinking. He may not have known, and even though other people might have been more promoted or celebrated, they didn’t have nowhere near the same influence. They were merely figureheads at the frontline with the impression of being influential. However, Mike was truly influential and made people think and improve their intellectual independence, which is dangerous and threatening to almost everyone. People don’t break into empty houses. Period. A role model i can relate to in every way. Not just his training philosophy, although as an exercise physiologist I can say he was spot on if you take the time to read the literature critically. Thanks for this master piece of a channel to keep his true wisdom alive. Greetings from Norway🇳🇴

[@andrewrehnert4997]

I’m glad that I watched, it was a very nice biography. The part where he grew up and the foundation his parents built in him is what truly carried Mike throughout his life. Thank you for sharing this, nice job Mr. Little 👍🏻

[@aliyma]

John: putting together this story is truly a Mike Mentzer HIT style of an achievement. Many thanks to you and everyone for this great production and and all others on this channel along with many places.

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Thank you very much.

[@blakes.4625]

Firstly, I’d like to thank you John Little for all the work you have undertaken in chronicling all of the footage, images, and audio that you have. In doing so you have greatly bolstered my own concept of who Mike was and what he believed in, although I’m sure there was so much more to be gained from knowing him personally. This interview has been such a blessing....it’s so refreshing hearing an account of life from Mikes OWN MOUTH. Hearing exactly what took place in his life and how he felt about what was going on, its had such a powerful effect on me. Thank you again. I also would like to take just a moment to thank Mike for the impact he has had on the way I view lifting and all the more on the way I view thinking and experiencing. In many ways I consider my discovery of this elusive, mustached muscle man on stage with Arnold and Frank Zane to be the gateway to my path of self-discovery. His ferocious intellect captured me and I am better for it. Thank you Mike.

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Thank you very much for your post.

[@IdRadical]

Its even better hearing these recollections in his voice. Great stuff. A truely knowledgeable man who used his understanding of natural laws to acheive his goals. Its good for me to hear about the type of individual his father was and helps me reinforce my path as a father myself. Its always why I align myself with knowledge and understanding rather then the blind actions we create habits out of no matter the scope. I certainly look up to him for these understandings. Truly enlightening. Thanks for sharing!

[@thecookiechannel7083]

Excellent documentary about one of the true greats in bodybuilding.

[@pbennett13]

heck of a work... Mentzer was fortunate to have you in his life and to keep him relevant. Few ever have people so loyal... best wishes in all your efforts.

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Thanks for your post and for the kind words, Paul.

[@mikevaldez7684]

This is a phenomenal film; I met Mike when I trained in the Santa Monica 2nd St. Gold's Gym in '78, When Ken Sprague owned it. Just listening to Mike is so exciting & incredibly motivating! This is a superb film. RIP MIKE 🙋🙏👌

[@Deerslayer3000]

He’s my hero. Especially being a small town Pennsylvanian myself

[@robertmajor2266]

Mike Menser was one of a kind a person like that only comes along in this world with his outlook on life and living it to the fullest without letting the haters drag him down a very intelligent and positive MAN who overcame negative thinking as well as negative and narcissistic people you will be remembered always

[@tylormack]

Listening to mike makes me tear up and think of my own life. If I could have one phone call today, I would love to call Mike and just talk about life

[@fender1000100]

You do wonderful work John. This is an amazing Tribute to the late great Mike Mentzter. Tells his story so well. Thankyou so much for this.

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

You're very welcome - I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@JukeHighwalker]

A true martyr if there ever was one. Love that man...

[@IndiaNumberOneCoubtry]

Thank you for this. I am 22, stumbled across mikes advice a week or two ago, now starting to get my newbie gains. One of the main things is his macro splits. I am broke, so backfilling carbs has always been a necessity but a worry. I trust when mike says 60% of our diet should be carbs, even tho i am biased lol. I am excited to see where his training takes me, and am thankful for channels like this one providing us (natties) with Mike’s wealth-of-knowledge. God bless you Sir.

[@sticksandstones3277]

Well how’s the training going?

[@SeanPatrickFitness]

This hits home for me, as someone who had it all and felt ontop of the world to becoming depressed and allowing amphetamines to spiral my conciousness out of control, I can truly relate with Mike. Now after pulling myself out of that hole, years later looking back I can appreciate the fact I overcame those problems without giving up and becoming even stronger in the long run. R.I.P Mentzer you were a gem to the bodybuilding community and your legacy will live on with people like myself.

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

I’m glad you were able to pull yourself out of it. Thank you very much for your post.

[@ROMANMAKEAMOVE.]

❤❤❤❤❤❤ true legend. I learn a lot from this extraordinary man. RIP Mike Mentzer ❤

[@steltyclown]

Its great to see his legacy is still continuing even after his passing, his knowledge of bodybuilding, nutrition and the power of high intensity training will be always stick with me and swear by his principles, way ahead of his time but showed the world, years later that what he mentioned 30 years ago would be what we need in order to build mass and strength

[@ProHockeyAlumni]

This is very well produced and documented. Great work!

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Thanks very much.

[@stingray4780]

Great video on Mike Mentzer! Rest in peace, Mike you certainly made an incredible impression on training in bodybuilding and in the mastery of the human mind! God bless you and rest in heavenly peace! We will continue to remember you! Thank you, Mike !

[@vijayramroop4532]

Very well done. Loved every minute of it. Thank you for sharing this.

[@CJ.1998X.Y.Z]

I loved this so much. I feel like I got to know Mike a little. My heart broke when he said no one wrote him letters when he was at his worst. Wish I’d been alive to write him. Wish he was alive to know how admired he is all these years later.

[@PRXFIT]

Wow I was just wondering about a new upload from you John and here it is. An hour long aswell. Thank you for keeping him alive and allowing people like me to truly understand the man.

[@chrism6500]

What a beautiful video of Mike ! I am 53 years old and most everything in the magazines about him made him look like a simple minded guy that Arnold toyed with. He was an intelligent genuine man, when he said he didn’t realize there were manipulative bad people out there because he wasn’t like that really struck me because I have run into the same situation when I have dealt with toxic people. Back in the 80’s he really got rap in magazines, now I know why.

[@3941602]

The fact he stood up for someone that stood up to Arnold to stand for something right shows bravery an good chracter.

[@williamcraske691]

John Little was a man ahead of his time in regards to compassion and loyalty.Can anyone imagine today that a top athlete could have a period of mental illness and be called a loon and shunned by the bodybuilding community?Times have changed for the better fortunately.Incredibly Mike had the strength of character to rise above circumstances and leave a great legacy behind for the world.

[@KevinLavorgna]

Watched the whole thing. Amazing! Started mikes style about 1.5 months ago, couldn’t squat 185 for more than 5, yesterday after pre exhausting with ham curls and leg extensions i did 250 for 5! Looking fuller than i did when i was doing the volume stuff, i feel pumped and full for a day or two after also. I also started to take the rest days seriously. My legs and chest look more defined also which i didn’t expect, honestly.

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Hi Kevin, congratulations on your progress. Thanks for your post, I am glad you enjoyed the film.

[@MarcusBunting-rj6le]

Same there been doing mikes way for 5 weeks strength is through the roof back gaining again which suddenly stopped the key is you really have to train to failure if done correctly you really cannot do anymore, I wish I trained this way 20 yrs ago.. I see Mike get discredit a lot pretty sad really

[@1aneeshsivan]

Bravo John! That was pure Gold! I'm sure Mr. Mentzer is in the spiritual realms smiling down with a warm heart. Beautifully edited, excellent job.

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Thanks very much, Aneesh!

[@CoachNiklas]

As a youngster I fell for the mysicism of bodybuilding; devouring articles by Larry Scott on how he built his lower biceps with Scott curls, or the mega-mystecism of Steve Michalik and his "Intensity (???) and insanity"-program, with up to 70 sets per bodypart or the crazy arm program of famous gym owner George Turner where he advocated the trainee to go on 6 weeks program where you started with 2 arm workouts the first two weeks, then 3 arm workouts for the third week, 4 arm workouts for the fourth week and then 6 arm workouts for week 5 and 6. This is the reason why we needed a rational person like Mike Mentzer go get people to train in the right way. How many have stopped training because bad advice? How many have been injured by training incorrectly? Thank you so much for these videos, @John Little!

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

You're very welcome. Thanks for your post.

[@edgaranaya4608]

We all live dozens of struggles, ups and downs, winning all, lossing it all. Is our character and determined mindsets that keep us fighting until the next struggle. A great human being is Mike, he has left a legacy and a better world. Is our job to leave a better world.

[@OfficialOminous]

I am glad I stumbled upon you, John. Your videos on Mentzer have gave me a really interesting perspective, a better one at that, on not only bodybuilding but life in general. I came across Mentzer because I was curious on shorter bodybuilders around my height, and came across Mike Mentzer. Immediately, I was taken back by his physique. Then I looked into his training style and came across your videos. It’s been a year now and taking Mikes and Jones’s theories and philosophies have changed the way that I train and think. It is genuinely crazy how their theories weren’t more popular before, but at least now they are catching on it seems. Thank you for another amazing video, John!

[@MrKasy8]

I could watch this every day so calming and rich with information. RIP legend 🤌

[@RexBrandelius]

This is amazing John. God bless you and all that you do!

[@moneymitch7456]

John you and Mike helped changed my life. I read your whole book about three times over in two weeks. I'm in the best shape of my life at 30. Prior military and was in athletics my whole life. So sad how many of us were fooled that "more is better". Anyways God bless you John 🤙🏾

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Thanks for the kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed the book.

[@jacoblopez989]

What’s the name of the book?

[@williamdillard5060]

I got into bodybuilding in the early 80s when I was trying to box. A friend of mine gave me one of those Joe Weider "Muscle Builder" magazines and told me to check out bodybuilding because I was terrible at boxing but I was muscular. I stayed up ALL NIGHT reading that magazine cover to cover, on the toilet so long that I forgot the time and my legs were numb. I can remember the exact month and year of this life changing magazine but I don't think that it's necessary for this comment. Within the next two weeks I got a job at as the manager of a fast food restaurant and right in the same plaza was a brand new gym opening. Bodybuilding is a way of life. Extremely talented and brilliant people like Mike was come along only once in a while. Had he been able to control his "demons" he may have still been here teaching a whole new generation.

[@matusgibej5930]

thank you Mike Mentzer.. even if you dont live, you live in my mind and heart everyday, ill be spreading your knowledge and dignity to my friends.. i am very thankful to you

[@PositivelyMyrdd]

Thank you, John for reminding me why Mike is my hero.

[@allentempleton2429]

I started bodybuilding in the late 70s. Mike was the darling of the Weiders at the time. He wrote very intelligent articles . After the 80 Olympia loss things went down hill for him. I really think that finding out it was all a lie crushed him. I think he never factored in that he could be all around the smartest and best and still loose. Unfortunately for him the bad stuff kept comming. He Basically lost everything. Not to mention the magazines started saying Heavy Duty was fake. Then the crazy rumors. I still don't know what was true. Loosing everything has destroyed many men's lives. Then there's the speed thing. One thing many people don't know is probably every successful bodybuilder in the 70s used speed as a weight loss aid and a pre workout. Usually it was a hit of speed and a Dbol. It was super common. Lots of guys never came off. Mike wasn't a crazy speed freak . He was just using the typical bodybuilding drug protocol of the time. When his life turned to shit the drugs were already there so it was a formula for disaster. It's also very questionable if his past drug use played a part in his death. Mike's twin brother Ray also died within days of Mike. That looks like genetics to me. Of course the magazines had to take one last shot and say it was drugs.

[@agrubera75]

This is an absolute gem. Never seen this video about Mentzer's life and career. Than you for sharing it.

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

You're welcome; I'm glad you liked it.

[@quantumfx2677]

I have follow him from the beginning and started in 87 and after a couple of years I received the monthly cassette tape from Bill Phillips and followed Mike's philosophy and applied them with fantastic results and even with using steroids always using the minimal amounts to achieve what was necessary for my goals. The more is better I did apply with the ladies and after awhile I changed my philosophy on that as too many women was more dangerous to my health than using higher amounts of steroids. Best times of my life and a good time for having high testosterone and enjoying freedom.

[@bachirtiguemounine5904]

Great video Mr John, Thanks for posting these valuable videos.

[@TylerO_O.]

I didn't know he was so introspective and into psychology and philosophy. He seemed rather sharp. These are topics that interest me as well, along with bodybuilding. I went through a heluations few years with drugs myself. I have much more respect and appreciation for Mike now. Amazing documentary.

[@TylerO_O.]

Im fond of Rand as well. I wasn't aware he was a Objectivist and Nietzschean. He left out Jung but it's forgivable. 🤓😂 RIP

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

In his university days he did read Freud, Jung, Laing, Szasz and Reich. He was particularly taken with the last three but eventually thought that philosophy had a broader application.

[@LukeSly91]

This was way better than I thought it would be. Great work

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Thank you!

[@tonydangelo88]

This is fantastic. Really enjoyed the story and hearing so much from Mike himself. He continues to inspire me. Always remembered… Thank you John

[@stressedbyamountainofbooks1]

thank you for sharing and keep being such a good friend ! Mike mentzer was a great man and you keep is legend alive for younger people such as myself bless both of you !

[@darksolara6750]

Absolutely magnificent… Extraordinary I can't find the word… I watched it three times and every time take your breath away… Thank you so much

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Wow. Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you liked it.

[@attri2292]

Man ignited my new passion for bodybuilding

[@sinepari9160]

Mentzer was my favorite BB when I was reading the mags at 10-12 years old.

[@llrp78]

How good that you revealed Mike from the psychological side, revealed him as a person.

[@moister_oyster]

John thank you for posting this documentary about Mike and setting the record straight from his actual perspective. Unfortunately Mike was subjected to the whims of the elitist agendas like the weiders when someone opposed their dogma. Addictions or not, everyone has them and their own demons but that still doesn't discredit his sound approach to gaining muscle as a bodybuilding purist. His contemporaries simply used his personal issues as a means to discredit him as they were afraid of him. Mike was truly a revolutionary, bodybuilding, punk rock gangster that humbly spoke out against the established authority. He was merely discredited for providing a rationale, objectivist view that threatened the industry as a whole. As you wrote, Mike was a philosopher and objectivist first and a bodybuilder second, who based his theories on logical foundations starting with the first principle - identity, where physiology must be based on sound absolutes stemming from Aristolean logic and reasoning. His contarianian ideologies were 30 years ahead of his time and science is finally catching up with his foundational thinking. Mike deserves a proper forum to acknowledge his achievements and decades oF hard work into his approach and I'm sure John's couldn't be prouder of you to set the records straight. I've only every trained high intensity and it by far works better than any other approach except like many others when I was younger I didnt prioritze recovery at first. I still laugh when people cite that volume is the driver of growth yet they don't realize that volume over time builds fatigue which in turn leads to intensity. This is what Jones discovered against unconventional dogma and Mentzer later improved on that thru his logical reasoning that recovery must be prioritized as intensity increases. Grip and rip those weights hard people and go balls out for Mentzer.

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Thanks for your post!👍

[@moister_oyster]

Oh and to add I strongly recommend everyone reads the "High- Intensity Training Method - the Mike Mentzer Way" not to just blindly follow a routine or watching videos but the actually understand the logic and philosophy behind his approach. There's nothing worse than blindly following a routine without first understanding why you're doing what you're doing and Mike's the only one really explain a bodybuilding methodology with sound, rationale principles

[@ABC-48483]

My absolute fav bodybuilder

[@iscream2232]

Thank you for sharing this John!

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

You're welcome!

[@Vegan_scorpioo]

Thank you very much for creating such a masterpiece of Mike's spirit❤❤❤

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

You’re welcome. Thanks for your post.

[@michaelpelzek8882]

This video was amazing. Thank you very much for taking the time to put this all together.

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

You’re very welcome. Thanks for your post.

[@dannyh7676]

Absolute gold this...never heard any other bodybuilder talk the way Mike did... interesting and to the point...love to off met him..

[@kingsize1182]

WOW!!! This was Off The Chain; with him talking and the visuals of the video I was hooked. Growing up in BKLYN and reading the magazines I liked a lot of the physiques like Robby Robinson, Frank Zane. Danny Padilla, Serge Nubret, Boyer Coe, Bill Pearl, Bill Grant and Arnold Schwarzenegger. But the Mentzers and Casey Viator physiques were rugged and herculean (Jusup Wilkosz as well) and, though I'm of African descent and my body type is more of a Nubret I really dig that rugged and herculean type of physiques. This video was BADA$$.

[@JD_82]

Thank you John for this! Is see so much of my personal character in mike, its crazy.I started to study and practice his workouts, and they are life changing! thank you Mike for your knowledge, 4 ever in our ❤

[@Daegdon]

I'll never forget Mike Mentzer.

[@michaelbernard9527]

Thank You - Thank You - Thank You!!! I appreciate this!!! Well put together.

[@victorjordanjr1109]

one of my top favorite bodybuilders of all time 😊

[@davinchi280]

The best movie a watched in a long time, greetings from Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦

[@johnr.7906]

Wow what a great documentary - incredible job putting it together. Thank you for keeping Mike's legacy alive!!

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

You’re welcome, John. Thanks for the kind words and for your post.

[@christopherdegenova8042]

It’s sad that Mike couldn’t see the impact he has actually had to this day. Very intelligent individual

[@helo155]

Justice will be done, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but eventually it will. This is true for Mentzer. Thank you for sharing his amazing story

[@Ericinos]

What wonderfull video, great work John! Mike Mentzer was really something else. Love it❤

[@josemaviles8895]

I can listen to mike talking all day long!!!

[@ksosa21]

Thank you John for putting this together.

[@warriorjunior1014]

Thank you for uploading this educational and inciteful film. Sounds like Arnold was truly threatened by Mentzer and quite jealous to say the least. We all know the Olympia is fixed. Sure the winner is the winner. However, no one can discount the intelligence of this man and what he brought to the bodybuilding world.

[@mikevaldez7684]

I love you Mike Mentzer, you were beautiful both inside and out! RIP BROTHER!🙋🙏

[@ManicMoe]

Can’t wait to watch this tonight😊

[@asfdghghsadiiillliiilligvi5797]

The thing about the 1980 Mr. Olympia contest is that it was held during a time where bodybuilding was aiming to be very mainstream. Contracts were being made in the industry, bodybuilders were going to television and Arnold Schwarzenegger was the face of the sport, to the eye of the average american citizen, at least. Not only was Arnold the star who had been the winner 6 times in a row, he was also the upcoming hollywood star that wanted to make it big in the screen. That being said, at the time, Arnold was considered a mediocre actor, with his first critics being very harsh on him, so his muscles, his physique was his main product to sell him as good choice for starring in a movie. So you take that, and you have the sport's biggest name making a comeback during a time he wanted to get big in hollywood: how would it look for Arnold if he lost the 1980 Olympia? Why would anyone in hollywood cast him, a mediocre actor, with a strongh accent whose main thing were his muscles and those muscles didn't even win the Mr. Olympia contest? It would be a disaster for Arnold's career. Then, you add that to the fact that Arnold and Weider were fierce advocates for high volume training and supplements. That made them very good money, and at the time, with very little information around, people believed it. However, there was one specific individual that defied that. One man that went on the opposite direction and said that you actually needed much less training than Arnold and Weider advocated. Not only that, you didn't need the much talked about supplements the industry was selling. That man was Mike Mentzer, the first bodybuilder to ever earn a perfect score. A 5'8 man that held over 100kg of lean mass on stage, a weight that was only matched by prime Schwarzenegger, a man 6 inches taller. Mike Mentzer said Arnold Schwarzenegger and Weider were wrong and he proved it with his very own physique. Who could argue with that? So then you see, the 1980 Mr Olympia was rigged from the beginning. Not only that, the rigging began in 1979, when Zane, a 5'9 bodybuilder beat Mentzer, who was an inch shorter and 45 pounds heavier. You don't hear much about 1979 because it wasn't as outrageous as 1980, but Mike Mentzer should have won in 1979. They made him second because the guy that dared to challenge the norm in the IFBB could never be awarded. That would be the same as admitting they were wrong. And Weider and Schwarzenegger would never do that. But the people caught on and called them out on that. How could the perfect score, heaviest bodybuilder on stage be second? So, in 1980, they put Mike Mentzer at 4th place, tied with Boyer Coe, so that when people would point out Mentzer should have won, there would be 3 men between him and Schwarzenegger. Mike Mentzer is the true 1980 Mr. Olympia and 1979 Mr. Olympia.

[@flyzoh]

Fuck , well summarized

[@stevemann1299]

Amazing post. Mike was about integrity and TRUTH over lies and profit.

[@gymfreak659]

May god bless you,, whoever u r,,u r keep mike alive. Heartly thank you ❤

[@Tompabej]

This was gold. Love your work. Just found out about Mike he is my favorite.