Dorian Yates opens up on how juvenile detention officers sparked his bodybuilding journey: “I was treated differently”

Six-time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates was one of the first bodybuilders to have introduced the mass monster era in bodybuilding. Carrying the perfect combination of shreds as well as size, Yates made sure to dominate the entire lineup of bodybuilders when he stepped foot on stage. However, what led Dorian Yates to a competitive stage in the first place might surprise you.

In a recent podcast, Froch on Fighting, Dorian Yates opened up about his journey while speaking to former British boxing icon Carl Froch. Having spent a few months in a juvenile detention centre during his childhood, Dorian Yates admitted it was during this time that he started bodybuilding and powerlifting. The officers inside the detention centre were supposed to put the kids through a military-like routine to shape them into better individuals.

Yates recalled:

"It was barbells and dumbbells. It was powerlifting, they wanted us to do bench press, squat, uh deadlift yeah and then you have some dumbbells, if the prison officer liked you he was like okay just go and do your little silly dumbbell flys or whatever you want to do...I realised with 300 guys in there that I had the best physique and this is something I really enjoyed and I could be good at it." (05:34)

"I knew I was different from everybody it was like I don't know it's almost like everyone else could feel that as well I got treated differently by all the lads in there, I got the prison officers treated me with some level of respect just because they know just because how I carried myself and they were like you're not supposed to be in here." (06:44)

How Dorian Yates remains unbothered by struggles

Having witnessed enough struggles during his childhood years, Dorian Yates became a tough man at a very young age. This is why during his peak bodybuilding days, he never complained about any struggles.

Coming from the streets and becoming a bodybuilder was the best thing that happened to Dorian. Additionally, having spent time in prison, Yates was confident that he was finally putting his abilities to good use.

In an Instagram post from earlier this year, Yates shared a couple of photos of his training with powerlifter, Pete Mumford in 1985. A part of his caption read:

"I was living month to month just keeping my head above water and this was extra money for food mainly. I was working various jobs at different places on the doors, including the infamous Faces nightclub which was taken over in a riot.

"But it was cool and exciting times and I knew things would get better financially soon… I was living my passion...Why was I doing this to myself when I could be out chasing girls and partying and stuff? Something good was going to come from this, I knew I was on the right track."

Despite his retirement from the sport decades ago, Dorian Yates still lives an active life. Apart from weight training sessions, Yates has also included yoga and meditation in his life.