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Ronnie Coleman Reveals the “Hardest Job” He Ever Did Before Winning the Mr. Olympia Eight Times

Published 04/18/2024, 6:30 AM EDT

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Ronnie Coleman. the legendary bodybuilder known for his unparalleled eight Mr. Olympia titles, recently shocked fans by revealing the “hardest job” he ever tackled, and it’s not that you might expect.

During a Q&A session, a curious fan asked Coleman about the toughest job he had ever done. With his trademark charm, Coleman shared an eye-opening confession. He disclosed that his most grueling job wasn’t for Dominos, patrolling the streets as a cop, or even the intense workouts he endured to sculpt his physique. In fact, Coleman recalled his time working at a paper mill, explaining what the job entailed.

Coleman wore a hazmat suit for his entire shift

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In the YouTube video, Coleman recounted his experience working at a paper mill in Bastrop, Louisiana. He described how he was engaged in the grueling task of scraping asbestos off the walls. This required him to wear a hazmat suit for the entire eight-hour shift and wield a specialized jackhammer.

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Coleman’s vivid description painted a picture of the immense physical and mental challenges he faced on the job. “Not the one that you hold onto when you’re digging,” he talked about the kind of jackhammer he used. Delving deeper into the details, Coleman explained, “This jackhammer, you had to have it up in the air and scraping asbestos off the wall.” “Let me tell you, after about three or four hours, you are done for,” Coleman confessed, highlighting the sheer exhaustion and strain of the demanding work.

The revelation offered a rare glimpse into Coleman’s life outside of bodybuilding. It showcased the grit and determination that defined his journey to success. Despite such obstacles, Coleman’s resilience and work ethic ultimately propelled him to become one of the most iconic figures. Earlier, Coleman made a similar revelation, when he talked about the actual cause of his back injury.

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Bodybuilding wasn’t his first choice

In a fascinating interview with former Strongman champ Brian Shaw, Coleman delved into his intriguing journey. Despite his impressive physique, the 59-year-old revealed, “I never ever wanted to be a bodybuilder…I thought I was playing football.” Originally aiming for a football career. Additionally, he revealed how he sustained a serious injury during college football, which led to multiple surgeries.

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He admitted, “I hurt it playing football,” emphasizing the unexpected turn of events. Initially, he avoided treatment due to competition but ended up in a wheelchair due to the injury’s severity. Coleman remarked, “I look at it like everything happens for a reason…God has a way of using other people to get you to do certain things.” Moreover, waiting too long to get treatment made Coleman’s injury worse.

Coleman’s journey from a paper mill worker to a legendary bodybuilder is a testament to his resilience. Despite challenges, his determination propelled him to greatness, inspiring countless others. What do you think about the legend’s journey? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by:

Arpita Shrivastava

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Arpita Shrivastava is a bodybuilding writer at EssentiallySports who specializes in tracking the lifestyles of bodybuilders. A master’s degree holder in Mass Communication, Arpita is a frequent contributor to coverage about her idols Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler. She likes going behind the scenes to understand the nitty-gritty of building a shredded physique.
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Edited by:

Abhishek Manikandan