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Ronnie Coleman is one of the most successful bodybuilders ever. When he was competing, Coleman equalled the record for the most Mr. Olympia titles won. Since retiring, the King not only held on to his fame but also began his own business. The Ronnie Coleman Signature Series is the former Mr. Olympia’s supplement company that’s become quite popular among gym goers. It seems that Coleman has found success, no matter what he did in life. However, that could not be farther from the truth.

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Before becoming a bodybuilder, Ronnie struggled with life. While the King graduated with an accounting degree, but things didn’t go his way. Unable to find a proper job in accounting, Ronnie had a hard time trying to make ends meet.

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What Ronnie Coleman did to survive?

On Oct 15, 2019, Ronnie Coleman aired the 10th episode of, ”Nothing but a podcast,” on his YouTube channel. During the podcast, Ronnie confessed that he began delivering pizza to earn money. Coleman said, ”Times got so bad that not only was I delivering pizza, I had to deliver newspapers to make ends meet.” He further added, “I couldn’t even afford to buy food, I had to eat Domino’s pizza every day.”

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According to Ronnie, he would work over 12 hours a day and still couldn’t afford a proper meal. Ronnie also revealed that he traded food. After repeatedly having pizza for dinner, Coleman began trading his food with other fast-food chains like Burger King, Popeyes, and KFC.

However, even when being in such dire straits, the King never gave up. When asked for Ronnie’s advice would say if someone is in trouble, he stated, “It’s gonna always get better if you never give up.” The eight-time Mr. Olympia emphasised that he followed the same philosophy, and in the end, it worked out for him.

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READ MORE: “Wash Clothes, Wash the Dishes”: 8X Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman Described an Average Day in His Life Back in 2005

Ronnie Coleman’s positive mindset carried him through the tough times. By 1989, Ronnie landed a job with the Arlington, Texas police force, and served until the year 2000.

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Coleman was reluctant of getting into bodybuilding

In the beginning, Ronnie had little interest in becoming a bodybuilder. Coleman loved working out a lot and often used the free police gym to get into shape. However, when Ronnie met a gym owner named, Brian Dobson, he got the incentive to train properly. Dobson gave Ronnie the option to train for free, if he agreed to compete, and that’s what Ronnie did.

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Watch This Story: Here’s Everything You Need to Know About 8-Time Mr. Olympia Winner Ronnie Coleman’s Battle With 13 Surgeries

From delivering Pizza to working in the police department, Coleman had a rocky road to success. However, the King’s positive mindset and hunger enable him to become one of the greatest bodybuilders ever. Do you think Coleman is the GOAT? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by

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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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Vibhanshu Kumar

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