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Seven-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath recounted going up against enhanced bodybuilders early in his professional bodybuilding career. The former champion had admitted to taking ste***ds during his competitive bodybuilding career. However, once he started competing and even won his first two shows, he did so naturally. In fact, he even harbored a misconception.

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While talking to Bradley Martyn on his podcast, Phil Heath explained how he thought local pro bodybuilding contests were drug tested. The Gift recalled asking his friends Josh Crandle and John Bower where he needed to submit the urine sample, for the competition he was about to participate in. However, they told him that “(there) ain’t no drug test.”

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Although Heath was shocked, he thanked them for believing in his genetic potential. Later, Phil Heath earned the nickname The Gift for his incredible genetics. “I kind of proved myself… I was already beating guys that were taking stuff,” said the bodybuilding legend. It wasn’t until he had won his second show that Heath considered becoming enhanced.

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Phil Heath had tested the waters during his first two shows, going up against veterans. Although he faced seasoned professional bodybuilders, The Gift beat them. That’s when he found the confidence to make the transition to an enhanced bodybuilder to realize his Olympia dreams. The 44-year-old former champion also revealed what he took and how much.

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When Bradley Martyn asked the bodybuilding veteran, Heath said he took “one cc a week,” of Deca durabolin. It matches with what he said about taking lower dosages of ste***ds during the Chris Williamson podcast. However, Heath didn’t win his bodybuilding debut just because of genetics.

Read More | Olympia Champion Phil Heath and Hany Rambod Walk Down Memory Lane As They Reveal Their First Encounter With Each Other

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When Hany Rambod scolded Phil Heath

Phil Heath won all seven Mr. Olympia titles under the tutelage of Hany Rambod. During a recent podcast with his former coach, Phil Heath recalled an incident from his competitive bodybuilding debut. At his first show, Heath felt overwhelmed and under-confident and even went around meeting some of the bodybuilders he had been a fan of. 

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Although it wasn’t public that Rambod had been coaching Heath, the Pro Creator had to intervene. The renowned Olympia-winning coach got a hold of Phil Heath and said“You don’t understand! You can win this stop f****ng around!” Rambod’s scolding snapped Heath out of his delirious mindset. The bodybuilder focused on presenting his physique and won his bodybuilding debut.

Read More | Phil Heath Flaunting His 7 Mr. Olympia Medals Draws a Yearning Question From Arch-Rival Kai Greene: “You Really Wanna Know?”

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Hence, it’s safe to have that Phil Heath didn’t just hit the jackpot when it came to genetics but also found the perfect coach who molded him into a legend.

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Sagnik Bagchi

3,368 Articles

Sagnik Bagchi is a Senior Writer at EssentiallySports, covering collegiate and Olympic sports through opinion‑driven storytelling. His volleyball reporting often spotlights program shifts and leadership changes, including Harper Murray’s evolving role and John Cook’s candid retirement reflections at Nebraska. With nearly four years in sports media, Sagnik has contributed across key beats, from the Paris 2024 Newsbreak team to behind‑the‑scenes coverage of the NHL Playoffs. An English Literature postgraduate, Sagnik’s versatility spans bodybuilding, US sports, and Olympic disciplines. As a former Senior Bodybuilding Writer, his work earned recognition from IFBB Pro Greg Doucette. His adaptability and consistency have resulted in a place in EssentiallySports’ Journalistic Excellence Program, where selected writers work with industry mentors to refine their reporting and analytical skills.

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Gokul Pillai

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