Phil Heath: The Dream Isn't Over!
Muscular Development|November 2018

Phil Heath is one of only three men in history to win seven consecutive Mr. Olympia titles, along with Lee Haney and Ronnie Coleman.

Ron Harris
Phil Heath: The Dream Isn't Over!
This past September, he attempted to tie the record of eight wins held by Lee and Ronnie, on the way to what many of us assumed would be an all-time record of nine wins in 2019. As we all know now, that’s not what transpired in Las Vegas. The distended abdomen caused by a double hernia in 2017 was back again, despite surgical repair. Shawn “Flextron” Rhoden, seemingly carved out of granite and with a slender waist and flat midsection, defeated Phil and became the first new Mr. Olympia champion since Phil had beaten Jay Cutler in 2010. It was one of the most shocking upsets in the history of the sport, since many viewed The Gift as unbeatable. I spoke with Phil after the loss to get his thoughts and opinions on how it all went down, and to see where he goes from here.

Going into the 2018 Mr. Olympia, you were certain you would win and tie the record of eight wins set first by Haney and then Ronnie. In fact, a whole lot of fans and media were equally sure that would happen. We now know it did not. Was there a point either Friday or Saturday where you got a sense that Shawn Rhoden might win, or did it come as a complete shock when it was announced?

I’d say by Saturday there were some rumblings. Backstage, as an athlete, at least for me, you want to see what happens when you take your clothes off. What do the reporters, officials and camera people do? If they don’t have cameras in your face, you’re probably in deep shit. In my career, I’ve always managed to take the attention off of others when I get oiled up and start pumping up. People are like, there he is! Let’s see how he’s looking, what’s his condition like? You have people going holy shit, you’re improved from last year.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MUSCULAR DEVELOPMENTView all
Best Cardio for Fat Loss - High Intensity vs. Low Intensity
Muscular Development

Best Cardio for Fat Loss - High Intensity vs. Low Intensity

Low-intensity cardiovascular exercise is the most common way to reduce body fat, despite mounting scientific evidence showing this form of cardiovascular training may not burn body fat as effectively as high-intensity cardio. In addition, low-intensity cardio has also been shown to inhibit muscle growth¹2, making the use of this approach to enhance your physique even more questionable.

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2023
Are Unilateral Exercises More Effective Than Bilateral Exercises?
Muscular Development

Are Unilateral Exercises More Effective Than Bilateral Exercises?

Bilateral exercises simultaneously use both limbs to lift the weight, so that the resistance is being shared between each limb.

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2023
THE AMAZING POWER OF JULIA DI POMPEO
Muscular Development

THE AMAZING POWER OF JULIA DI POMPEO

Pro Figure Champ and Pro Powerlifter!

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2023
BRYAN JONES: THE LORD OF CLASSIC RETURNS!
Muscular Development

BRYAN JONES: THE LORD OF CLASSIC RETURNS!

It seems like a decade has passed since the pandemic began in 2020. That was a chaotic year for all of us. MD sent me to Atlanta to cover the Chicago Pro, because restrictions in Illinois made it impossible to hold Tim Gardner's annual extravaganza there. The athletes still showed up in force to compete, and the Classic Physique division alone featured 30 men. When they came out to be adjudicated, one man stood out in a flash as the one to beat. I had never heard of Bryan Jones until that point aside from a vague recollection that he'd won the USA a couple of years before. With his braided and colored hair piled on top of his head in a gathered bun with the ends appearing to be some type of bizarre plant, I dubbed him \"The Kai Greene of Classic.\" That didn't stick, thankfully, because Bryan \"Lord\" Jones is a unique athlete in his own right. I knew I was looking at a man who was going to make waves in that division. A few months later he did just that, placing fifth in his first Olympia appearance. But we only saw him twice more after that, at the Arnold Classic and once again at the Olympia at the end of 2021. Since then, Jones has been working hard to build the additional size needed to successfully transition to the Open category. I spoke with him about his brief but notable time in Classic, and how he plans to make a big splash in Open.

time-read
10+ mins  |
August 2023
Andrew vs. Hunter: THE BATTLE FOR TEXAS!
Muscular Development

Andrew vs. Hunter: THE BATTLE FOR TEXAS!

A BATTLE IS BREWING

time-read
7 mins  |
August 2023
GET A CLASSIC SUMMER PHYSIQUE WITH LOGAN FRANKLIN
Muscular Development

GET A CLASSIC SUMMER PHYSIQUE WITH LOGAN FRANKLIN

Summer is in full swing, and for the vast majority of bodybuilders that don't compete, this is our showtime! All the many months of toiling away covered up while the sky was dark and gray and icy temperatures had you shivering have led to this. Last month we provided you with eight excellent tips to get ripped and ready, but let's take it a step further. This month, we enlisted the help of Classic Physique superstar and GAT Sport athlete Logan Franklin to come up with his best advice on how to make sure you have the most Classic-looking physique possible to show off on the beaches or at the pool. Here's what he has to say about the Classic look, areas of the physique to emphasize and how, and his best nutrition tips to make sure you turn plenty of heads this summer!

time-read
9 mins  |
August 2023
SUCCESS STORY: YANIV ZUR
Muscular Development

SUCCESS STORY: YANIV ZUR

BALANCING BUSINESS, FAMILY, AND ELITE FITNESS

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2023
HOW MUCH REST IS BEST?
Muscular Development

HOW MUCH REST IS BEST?

Getting enough rest after weight training is essential for optimal muscle growth and performance. Unfortunately, many get insufficient rest because they simply disregard the fact that weightlifting breaks down muscle tissue, creating the requirement for adequate rest to fully recuperate.

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2023
Get Peeled With Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Muscular Development

Get Peeled With Extra Virgin Olive Oil

As you know, pathologic fat accretion results in obesity. The medical community and pharmaceutical industry have been struggling to address this burgeoning condition in the Western culture - particularly in the United States. Obviously, individuals have also been struggling in their attempts to avoid or correct unsightly or unhealthy fat gain. Imagine the shame these professionals and people must feel when they realize they may have been ignoring a risk-free, health-promoting, inexpensive dietary ingredient that can enhance fat loss. Bodybuilders seek potent drugs or supplements to force the metabolism to strip body fat to low single-digit percentages, but failing to acknowledge the foundation of diet can sabotage even their extreme measures.

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2023
CREATINE: THE BEST FORMS
Muscular Development

CREATINE: THE BEST FORMS

New products and formulations are introduced to the supplement market every day. However, it is very rare for a product or especially an ingredient to create noteworthy evolution in supplement performance. Arguably, the greatest leap up this axiomatic evolutionary ladder occurred with the advent of creatine supplements in the 1990s. Creatine has proven over and over to be \"the real deal\" in clinical research and broscience. It's a muscle-building, performance-enhancing supplement that nearly all athletes should use.

time-read
7 mins  |
August 2023