In pictures: Ronnie Coleman before he became a professional bodybuilder

Ronnie Coleman, the eight-time Mr. Olympia, has earned the title 'The King' for his superhuman physique. However, he was not always like a walking mass monster. Coleman has an amazing life story of how he started bodybuilding and dominated the industry for eight straight years. Let's find out.

But first, here's a photograph from his high school days.

Ronnie Coleman was born on May 13, 1964. Initially, he was not into lifting weights; he was a rising star in American football. The King used to play as a middle linebacker for his college team at Grambling State University. Coleman had an astonishing career as a football player. He frequently talks about this in his interviews and highlights that he wanted to pursue his football career.

"I never ever wanted to be a bodybuilder never ever and when I was uh in high school I was thought I was playing football," Ronnie Coleman told Brian Shaw on the Shawstrength Podcast in 2023. [at 08:40]

Another picture of Ronnie Coleman from pre-bodybuilding days:

Apart from being a bodybuilder and football player, Ronnie Coleman was a bright student in his teenage years. He graduated from Grambling State University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Despite being a brilliant student in college, he failed to land a job in the accounting field. He joined Domino's Pizza before finally joining the police force in 1989.

Ronnie Coleman's astonishing record in bodybuilding

The King won his first pro show — the Canada Pro Cup — in 1995 and hasn't looked back since. Let's take a look at the eight-time Mr. Olympia's record.

• In 1996, he lifted the Canada Pro twice
• In 1997, Coleman won the Grand Prix
• In 1998, he won the Toronto Invitational
• In 1998, The King won the Grand Prix Finland
• After winning these pro shows in 1999, Coleman began his legendary saga of winning eight Olympias. He continuously dominated the Olympia stage until 2005.
• Surprisingly, the King won the Arnold Classic title only once in 2001. (Coleman believed that the body peaked only once a year.)

Coleman not only broke Arnold Schwarzenegger's record of seven Mr. Olympia honors but also Kevin Levrone's record for most IFFB Pro wins in his career.

The King's astonishing lifts

• Coleman deadlifted 800 pounds and did two reps at The Unbelievable in 2000.
• The King also squatted 800 pounds and did two reps at The Cost of Redemption in 2003.
• The eight-time Mr. Olympia bench pressed 500 pounds and did five reps easily the same year he made his squat record.

Are you impressed by The King's astonishing life journey? Let us know in the comments.