Chris Cormier shares his reaction to Ronnie Coleman’s post-retirement injuries and surgeries that have left him in constant pain.
Ronnie Coleman is one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time. But that title came with a price. Due to his extreme heavy lifting over long periods of time, Ronnie Coleman has suffered a long list of spine and hip injuries over the years. He has had over a dozen surgeries, is often in crutches, and is nearly constantly in pain. The entire situation was chronicled in comparison to his prime years in our documentary Ronnie Coleman: The King.
We also interviewed a wide variety of his peers during the making of the film. One such athlete was Chris Cormier. While a good section of his interviews appeared in the film, not everything was able to make the final cut. That’s why we are releasing an extended segment from the film of his interview.
In this clip, we asked Chris Cormier to detail his reaction to finding out about Ronnie Coleman’s serious injuries and the surgeries that followed. As a fellow athlete, Cormier took the news hard. He understands how important the passion of bodybuilding is to pro athletes. This is especially true for Olympia champions and top tier competitors.
In order to reach such a legendary level of success in bodybuilding, Ronnie Coleman had to dedicate his life to it. His entire being and mindset revolved around his physique and training. That’s why even after retirement he trained in the gym every single day.
This also remains true after his surgeries. Despite doctors recommending otherwise, Ronnie Coleman continues to train in the gym as soon as he is able after surgery. It’s a part of his life and it’s something he will never sacrifice regardless of injury.
Chris Cormier understands why he does this. The same reason he was willing to push his body so far in his prime is the reason he trains today. The pain is the sacrifice he is willing to make. Even so, Cormier knows that Ronnie still struggles with the limitations due to his injuries. He knows, in his opinion, that Ronnie internally battles with being so injured after setting himself up for a life of breaking boundaries and achieving goals.
That being said, Chris Cormier also understands that there was no other way this could have unfolded. The very energy that earned Ronnie Coleman his status as a champion and legend is what drives him today post surgeries. Cormier believes that any legendary athlete would follow the same path.
You can watch Chris Cormier’s full comments in our latest GI Exclusive Vault interview segment above. You can also watch Ronnie Coleman: The King on digital today. Click here or the banner below to stream or download!
