Born in 1964, Ronnie was not always a gym member. As a youth, he was an athlete. He played football at Grambling State University as a middle linebacker, drawing on his natural strength and discipline. Ronnie’s athleticism was further validated with track and field achievements.

Well-informed

Ronnie was powerful. However, more intelligent than he was strong. He graduated with honors in a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Grambling State. This speaks volumes about Ronnie’s diligence and focus, which would prove to be helpful in the gym later on, although his success at bodybuilding overshadows this fact.

From Information to Dough

Despite his academic credentials, Ronnie struggled to get a job as an accountant. He thus started a most unlikely of professions at Domino’s Pizza. Yes, the “King” bodybuilder used to be a pizza delivery boy. It wasn’t glamorous, but it showed just how versatile and hardworking Ronnie was.

A Watershed and Police

Ronnie’s life was turned around in 1989 when he boarded the Arlington, Texas, police department. It not only provided him with a safe career but also bodybuilding.

In the police gymnasium, Ronnie met Brian Dobson, who was the owner of a gym and noticed his potential and pushed him to compete. The rest, they say, is history. Here, also some Redditors discuss how exciting Coleman’s life as a police officer was.

An Illustration of Determination

It is the motivating story of Ronnie Coleman’s evolution from a good athlete and student to a police officer and ultimately a bodybuilding legend.

It reiterates the importance of dedication, endurance, and adaptability in different scenarios. One finds it fascinating to learn the groundwork he established prior to competing, considering his astounding bodybuilding success.

Ronnie Coleman’s Achievements

Ronnie Coleman has an illustrious bodybuilding career. From 1998 to 2005, he won a record eight Mr. Olympia titles, thus being referred to as “The King.” No one has achieved this feat in the history of this competition.

Coleman was immensely strong, but his dominance extended to his physical strength. Instructional tapes and first-hand accounts attest to his brute strength, though he has never competed in a powerlifting meet.

Unofficial reports have him deadlifting an astonishing 800 pounds for two repetitions weeks before a Mr. Olympia competition. Additionally, there are videos of him performing weighted dumbbell presses and squatting that would impress competitive powerlifters.

Note that these lifts are not official competition lifts. His early powerlifting totals are still impressive, however. Ronnie deadlifted 727.5 pounds (330 kg) during a deadlift contest to show the strength built up over his bodybuilding career.

Estimated one-rep maximums based on these totals (about 822 pounds for deadlift and squat, and 562 pounds for bench press) show incredible potential, but they are still not true one-rep maximums.

Ronnie Coleman’s immense size, detail, and raw strength could be matched by very few bodybuilders. This special combination is one of the key reasons for his being extremely popular among bodybuilders.