On Mar. 29, 2023, during a YouTube episode of The Lee Labrada Show, Haney joined the eponymous host to discuss the exploits of his career. Labrada, who was a two-time runner-up to Haney’s title (1989-1990) is likely an ideal candidate to help Haney examine his career in hindsight. The most notable tidbit might have been the icon explaining why he didn’t pursue more Olympia greatness after establishing himself as unprecedented royalty.

Like some elite bodybuilders, Haney described the pressure of maintaining his grip on the sport. From training to a mental battle, Haney said he successfully navigated rough waters for years. He made it clear he didn’t want to continue making such a sacrifice as he weighed his options after his 1991 Olympia triumph.

Part of Haney’s rationale was also about the idea of staying on top and being remembered on top.

“When we’re on top, there’s nowhere else to go but down,” Haney explained of his early decision to retire from bodybuilding. “So, the pressure of how do I stay here? What can I do different to bring a better package? All those things run through your mind and, if you don’t keep it together, that can really create a lot of stress.”

At the same time, while Haney was exceptional, he made clear he didn’t love bodybuilding per se. For a little while, he just had an impeccable dedication to his craft.

“I looked at bodybuilding in such a way that it’s my job,” Haney continued. “I didn’t worship the craft although I wanted to be the best at it. It wasn’t the end of the world as the way I looked at it.”

Ultimately, the 63-year-old Haney clarified that he almost considered retiring after his seventh Olympia victory in 1990. Though, that exit would’ve left the superstar merely tied with Arnold Schwarzenegger for Olympia wins. It took encouragement from Haney’s wife Shirley to keep pushing before he hung up his posing trunks.

The rest was literal bodybuilding history, as Haney would take his eighth consecutive win in 1991 for the Olympia record. The record would remain untouched until Ronnie Coleman’s record-tying eighth title in 2005.

“When I got to the seventh [Olympia win], I thought to myself, seven is a record,” Haney started. “Arnold [Schwarzenegger] didn’t do seven [Olympias] in a row but he did do overall. I had a conversation with Shirley, and she was like, ‘What are you talking about, quit? You gotta do eight. What’s the matter with you?’”

These days, Haney appears to be basking in his retirement. Over three decades since he last stepped on stage, the living legend doesn’t seem to have any reservations about his decision.

Not that he ever did.

“I never regretted having not competed again. As a matter of fact, I never gave it another thought.”

Featured image: @lee_haney_official on Instagram

The post Lee Haney Explains Why He Retired Undefeated After 8 Olympia Titles: “There’s Nowhere Else To Go But Down” appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Feb. 6, 2022, Haney appeared in a podcast episode with Muscular Development. Amidst a discussion of various current events, like the rise of Derek Lunsford, Haney particularly centered on modern conditioning standards for the best of the best. In a few words, he isn’t a fan.

Similarly to Arnold Schwarzenegger, Haney thinks modern bodybuilding is too fixated on size rather than aiming for symmetry and balance. Per the legend, the top names might be larger than ever, but they’re missing vital details that used to be a primary focus during his era.

When one factors in potentially excessive dehydration to display even more muscular detail, Haney thinks this overall mentality comes at a significant cost to the athletes’ health.

“A lot of athletes end up sick or end up dying because of trying to achieve that level of dryness,” Haney explained. “I think we need to change the cultural mindset of what’s happening when it comes to judging these competitions.”

Ultimately, while he appreciates the dedication to competition and fitness, Haney expressed that what bodybuilders are asked of nowadays goes too far. For him, having a long and enjoyable life is more important than having a fruitful, rigid career that could potentially put that at risk.

“At the end of the day, you want to enjoy yourself as an athlete, but you want to walk away with your health,” Haney said. “You shouldn’t have to die to reach this level of conditioning. They’re asking too much of the athletes, period. You look at the former school of bodybuilding. People say ‘old school,’ that is the real school. It is the school. Forget that ‘old school.’ … We reached a level of conditioning that let us walk away after the competition and still be alive, and still be healthy.”

The 63-year-old Haney maintained that previous bodybuilding contest standards let the icons of his era go on to lead long lives. He explained that figures like the late and influential Bill Pearl, three-time Mr. Olympia Frank Zane (1977-1979), and even Schwarzenegger lived or have all reached their senior years, well into their 70s and 80s, for a good reason. Their bodybuilding preparations didn’t ask too much of them.

As such, it might be time to reassess and trace steps back to those past days before it’s too late. Haney suggests that the onus may be on the bodybuilding judges to only reward certain physiques in the context of earlier bodybuilders.

“They remember the fact that we were healthy. Nobody passed out on stage. Maybe we got a little dehydrated, got a little light-headed, but nobody had to call in paramedics to revive anybody. So, there’s a pattern that already exists. I’m saying, let’s get back to those patterns,” Haney said. “It doesn’t take a lot to do that. It just takes a joining of the minds. … I think we have to step back and rewrite, reassess, because the blood of these athletes that are dying, is on your hands. They’re on your hands.” 

Haney’s thoughts are noble and worthy of being listened to, especially coming from a legend well-known for suggesting that bodybuilders “stimulate, don’t annihilate” in the gym. For bodybuilding to even consider scaling back to his preferred health ideal will likely take a Yeoman’s effort from everyone involved. That includes competition organizers, athletes, and their coaches seeing the forest for the trees together.

Because if an all-time great thinks the sport isn’t in a quality place, then it could be time to reconsider the dangerous path that lead to this point.

Featured image: @lee_haney_official on Instagram

The post Lee Haney Thinks Modern Bodybuilding Contest Prep is Too Dangerous appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

In an Oct. 19, 2022, episode of “The Ronline Report” with Muscular Development, eight-time Mr. Olympia (1984-1991) Lee Haney discussed the upcoming Olympia contest, being held on Dec. 16-18, 2022, in Las Vegas, NV. One the more notable tidbits concerned how Haney sees Elssbiay as a massive (no pun intended) favorite for the prestigious event.

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One of the main reasons that Haney sees Elssbiay performing better than ever on the 2022 Olympia stage is his training. Haney thinks Elssbiay is accumulating mass at a higher level and credits a dedicated coaching staff for pushing the champion. Among that staff is 1989 Mr. Universe Miloš Šarčev, who notably takes a lot of his time coaching many rising bodybuilders.

“I’ve been checking him [Elssbiay] out on Instagram,” Haney said.  “And man, he’s got Dennis James working with him now. Listen, when it comes to training and know-how, it’s hard to get better than Dennis. You got Dennis, [Chris] Cormier, Miloš [Šarčev], and of course, Charles Glass. It’s hard to get beyond them.”

For Haney, Elssbiay’s team of proficient experts is a major potential boon to continued success, even with his past standard of excellence.

“When you got somebody like that working in your corner that’s been there done that, you can’t get around that,” Haney explained. “These are not just coaches. These are seasoned legendary Olympians. When they put a routine to you, put a meal plan to you, it’s right on spot. So, I think Ramy [Elssbiay] will come in better than he was last year.”

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To Haney, Elssbiay’s prospects for another Olympia title appear to be a cut above the rest of his peers. When the legendary bodybuilder discussed other athletes who could potentially dethrone Elssbiay — like 2019 Olympia winner Brandon Curry, for example — he made a lofty comparison to the past exploits of Coleman.

“Well, the one that I see that’s got the shape and mass combination, but he’s got to come in there sliced and diced is Brandon Curry. You gotta be sliced and diced,” Haney clarified. “Nobody out there that is like that. Ramy [Elssbiay] is cut from a different cloth, just like Ronnie [Coleman] was. What you gotta do is out-pretty Ramy.”

For Haney to compare Elssbiay to Coleman, who won eight consecutive Mr. Olympia titles from 1998-2005, is significant. Though, with two Olympia titles and (potentially) counting, Elssbiay very well might live up to such a high standard. If two bodybuilding all-timers like Haney and Coleman think that Elssbiay is at that rare level of performance, then it might only be a matter of time before he’s reaffirming their keen experience on stage.

Featured image: @big_ramy on Instagram

The post Bodybuilding Icon Lee Haney Compares Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay to Ronnie Coleman at Peak of His Powers appeared first on Breaking Muscle.