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“Body Dysmorphia Is Real”: 43-Year-Old Phil Heath’s Confession on Disorder Receives Vast Support From Bodybuilding World

Published 02/05/2023, 3:45 PM EST

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It takes a physique of extraordinary build, to tie in with Arnold Schwarzenegger for the total number of Mr. Olympia titles won. As a 7XMr. Olympia winner who won every year from 2011-2017, Phil Heath possesses just that. However, in recent news, the bodybuilding champ has shared a rather heartbreaking update about his condition. He talked about his attempts to reinstate his self-love on a daily basis and the importance of loving oneself. His bodybuilding friends and colleagues have shared their love and support.

Phil Heath took to his Instagram and shared a video of himself talking about his mental condition. But, the champion that he is, Heath is staying strong and confident against it. The incredibly kind words of his friends and well-wishers also must’ve cheered him up.

The wide array of love showered on Phil Heath after his bold confession

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Body Dysmorphia – It is a mental health condition that affects a person who spends a lot of time worrying about flaws in his/her physical appearance. Phil Heath is one among the 2-3 % of Americans who suffer from it. He wrote in his Instagram, “Body dysmorphia is real. It’ll truly steal the joy out of your days making yourself believe that you’re not good enough and you’ll never ever reach your goal…..” 

 

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A post shared by Phil Heath (@philheath)

The bodybuilding world at large showered their support on Heath, more so for his incredible courage in dealing with it. Here’s what some of them said:

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Hany Rambod: “Inspiring!!! 👏🔥👏🔥👏”

Marc Megna: “It’s a spectrum. If you’re in this field you got some sort of it. Thx for sharing brother @philheath”

Flex Wheeler: “Amen”

Derek Lunsford: “Great message champ! 💪”

Steve Weatherford: “Powerful POWERFUL share Phil”

Mark Rhino Smith: “My brother 🙏🏾❤️🙌🏾”

 

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A post shared by Phil Heath (@philheath)

Besides bodybuilders, several of his fans also shared their sentiments and wished him well. Heath, who shares regular updates from his life on his Instagram page, further described the condition and what it has been like living with it.

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How it affected Heath in his personal life?

Heath wrote about muting his own family, friends, and fans sometimes despite their incredible kindness. He then wrote, rather profoundly, about the importance of life and the gratitude to be “ALIVE”. He said in the video, “How I deal with it? I get up in the morning, go to the bathroom, and I say Phil I love you. I love you for everything that life has thrown at you and you stood tall….”

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Phil Heath also mentioned having body dysmorphia for well over 20 years now. But it mainly affected him in the last two years. Heath was on a winning juggernaut in the last decade (7 Olympia in a row), and even believed he could win up to 10 Olympia titles if not for injuries. Nevertheless, achieving such monumental glory in the past decade, with a serious mental condition, is a testament to Heath’s personality.

WATCH THIS STORY – “Bodybuilding World Takes Notes As Legend Arnold Schwarzenegger Drops “Classic Bro Science”

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Written by:

Tanmay Roy

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Tanmay Roy is a US Sports author for EssentiallySports. He has done MBA and B.Tech in Civil Engineering.
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Edited by:

Anupama Ghosh