Flex Wheeler is an uncrowned bodybuilding legend. While Wheeler came very close to clinching the Mr. Olympia title three times, he never won. He may not have won Mr. Olympia, but Flex is a four-time Arnold Classic winner. Though he competed in the 90s, many still regard Flex as “The Sultan of symmetry”. Top bodybuilders and rivals like Dorian Yates and Ronnie Coleman have admired Flex’s physique.

In 2019, Valuetainment asked Dorian Yates why Flex never defeated him, despite having so much talent. The six-time Mr. Olympia had a simple answer.

Why Dorian Yates won every time over Flex Wheeler

During his podcast, Valuetainment’s Patrick Bet-David asked why Flex Wheeler once said, “I never saw Dorian as beatable!”. He also mentioned, “Wheeler during that time was a human specimen, like he was the LeBron James of bodybuilding.” and yet, “He himself didn’t psychologically think you’re (Yates) beatable.”; Dorian, however, had a straightforward answer. “I had a little bit more mental tenacity.”, said the six-time Mr. Olympia.

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Dorian said that Flex, “probably had more natural talent than me”. However, he also said that Wheeler wasn’t nearly as disciplined as him. Nor was Flex’s diet and workout routine as structured as his. Dorian said, “Maybe (Wheeler) did 70%”, compared to his 100%. “

Yates also revealed that during prep, Flex tended to take it easy sometimes and even broke his diet. However, Yates said, “If this guy did what I do, I’d have a real hard time beating him.” When David asked if Flex would’ve beaten Yates at 100%, Dorian replied, “Very Possibly”.

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Dorian Yates took over the Mr. Olympia stage after Lee Haney. From 1992 to 1997, the Englishman didn’t lose a single show. However, during the same period, Wheeler had very inconsistent results. 

Surprised by Ronnie Coleman

After Dorian Yates retired in 1997, Flex became the heir apparent to the Mr. Olympia throne. During the 1998 season, Wheeler even won the Arnold Classic. However, on October 10, 1998, Ronnie Coleman pulled off an upset win against Flex. Wheeler placed 2nd again the next year and third the year after.

Dorian Yates succeeded the great Lee Haney and became a six-time champion. While Flex could’ve been Dorian’s biggest rival, Yates won every time because of superior discipline and mental tenacity. However, fans and other bodybuilding legends still praise Flex for having a near-perfect physique.

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Do you think Flex Wheeler had the perfect physique? Let us know in the comments.