In life, most of the times people do not want to here the truth. Especially when it comes to the world of competitive bodybuilding. People get mad at other people's placings or smirk and question a person's placing as if to blame the competitor for not doing good for themselves. In the competitive world a giant of a man graced the stage during the 80's and competed and placed very well to a lot of future Hall of Fame Inductees. He unfortunately was always the Brides Maid Never The Bride.
Matt Mendenhall had it all? He had size, aesthetics, genetics, shape and was very defined . Not forgetting the looks to sell a lot of magazines. Placing second to Lee Haney in 1982, 1984 behind Mike Christian, 1986 second to Gary Strydom. Just look below:
1982: He placed ahead of Bob Paris, and the late future Hall of Fame Inductee, Tim Belknap.
1983: Behind Bob Paris and Rory Leidelmeyer, Mike Christian but ahead of Rich Gaspari.
1984: Behind Mike Christian.
1985: Wins the USA Heavy Weight Division.
1985: Second to Barry Demay, World Games.
1986: Second to Gary Strydom.
1987: 10th at the NPC Nationals.
This is how good Matt really was. He came back in 1991behind this line up?
Kevin Levrone
Flex Wheeler
Paul Demayo
Ronnie Coleman
Thats incredible but still he never became a pro. A couple of those years were very questionable on judging. In a lot of fan's opinions Matt should have been a pro. People blamed Matt for not being able to get into shape but what they do not understand was that Matt suffered from (Candida, a Intestinal Yeast Infection) that is very hard to get rid of. On carbs, he would retain water, this would make him appear softer. Not to mention that in 1984 he almost killed himself in a car accident. Thank the higher power, he was so muscular and that is what saved him.
Matt also gave himself a certain amount of time when he began to compete to become a pro or he would leave and go back to the working world and that is what he has done. He is the owner of Muscular Pain Solutions in the Greater Denver, Co area. Matt did not need the World of Pro Bodybuilding more than the Pro Bodybuilding World needed Mr. Mendenhall.
We here at M.T.I. miss you Mr. Mendenhall. You had it all on stage and now you have what you want and are great at outside the Bodybuilding World. Here is to a future Inductee to the Hall of Fame.
THE MAN - THE MYTH - THE GENETICS
This man was one of the first Genetic Freeks of the early and mid 80's.
We here at M.T.I. are happy that he is happy in what he is doing in the real world.
