Who was bodybuilding legend John Meadows?

John Meadows, aka the 'Mountain Dog', was an American professional trainer, nutritionist, bodybuilder, and entrepreneur who passed away "unexpectedly and peacefully" on August 8, 2021, at his home at the age of 49. Meadows' wife broke the news to his fans on a verified Facebook page. The Mountain Dog was a successful owner of a fitness company and had a promising career until his retirement.

John Meadows did not always have all the luxuries he had up until now. Growing up, the Mountain Dog never met his father, and lost his mother at a very young age. He spent most of his childhood with his grandmother, and tragically, she passed away in 1999, leaving John Meadows with no family, as per the Greatest Physique.

As the years passed, the Mountain Dog moved to Ohio at the age of 13. He went to high school there and developed a love for training and bodybuilding. John Meadows then got involved in powerlifting and started training at the Westside Barbell in Columbus, Ohio, according to Barbend's report. This place marked the Mountain Dog's goal to become a pro bodybuilder and earn a pro card.

John Meadows started competing at the age of 13 and entered his first-ever bodybuilding contest, the Mr. Buckeye competition for teens. But luck was not with the Mountain Dog that day, and he ended up last. But he gained valuable experience and didn't lose hope.

He even opened up about his experience:

"At 119 pounds, I got fourth out of four. I don’t really have a lot of recollection on how I prepared for it, other than people telling me not to drink water for the last day or two. I remember just having a couple of ice cubes now and then. That was pretty much all the liquid I got." (via Greatest Physique)

In 2015, Meadows competed in the NPC Universe, Bodybuilding Over 40 Overall, securing first place, earning his pro card, and achieving his dream of becoming a pro bodybuilder. But his journey was not easy; he was diagnosed with a rare colon disease called Idiopathic Myointimal Hyperplasia of the Mesenteric Veins in 2005. However, the bodybuilder recovered and resumed his coaching business.

John Meadows' notable competitions

• NPC Physique Light Heavyweight in 1997, securing second place.
• NPC Junior USA Light Heavyweight in 1998, placing sixth
• NPC Jan Tana Amateur Heavyweight and Overall in 1999, winning the title
• NPC Collegiate Nationals Heavyweight and Overall in 2001, securing first place.
• NPC Eastern USA Championships Heavyweight in 2002, securing third place.
• IFBB North American Bodybuilding Championships, Men’s Heavyweight in 2004, securing fourth place.
• Los Angeles Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships, Men’s Heavyweight in 2005, securing fourth place.
• North American Championships, IFBB Bodybuilding: Over 40-Heavyweight in 2012, securing the second rank
• NPC Teen, Collegiate, and Masters National Championships, Bodybuilding: Over 40, Heavyweight, the same year, securing second place.
• Masters National Championships, Bodybuilding: Masters Over 40 Super Heavyweight in 2013, securing second place
• Masters National Championships, Bodybuilding: Masters Over 35 Super Heavyweight the same and secured third place.
• Masters National Championships, Bodybuilding Masters Over 35, Super Heavyweight in 2014, and secured second place.
• Team Universe, Bodybuilding Over 40 Super Heavyweight in 2014, secured fourth place.
• NPC Universe, Bodybuilding Over 40 Overall in 2015, and earned his Pro Card
• Tampa Pro and IFBB Pro 212 in 2015 secured third place.
• Muscle Mayhem Pro, IFBB Open Men in 2017, securing the 14th rank (his last competition).