Bodybuilder Robert Taylor Out Of 2022 Olympia, Discusses Serious Back Injury

Bodybuilder Robert Taylor will take a break from training as he doesn’t want to “disable himself.”

212 Bodybuilder Robert Taylor has officially taken himself out of the 2022 Olympia, he announced on Instagram. Taylor has been dealing with a back injury and he explained how it could be career-ending. In his video, Taylor explained his mindset with this injury and what he will do to recover.

Taylor qualified for the biggest show of the year after winning the 2022 Musclecontest Ireland in May. He was in the middle of preparing for the show but his back flared up while performing hack squats.

This would have been Taylor’s first Olympia appearance but it will have to be put on hold. If he is able to continue, Taylor has a high ceiling on stage. He sat down to discuss what could be next in his career.

Robert Taylor Details His Future Plans

In a four-part video on social media, Robert Taylor broke down exactly what happened and what his feelings are moving forward.

“Maybe about three weeks ago, I did [injured] my back in. If you’ve been following my stories, I appreciate everybody’s support. I did my back in at the gym. I took maybe 10 or 11 days trying to ride the storm. It’s not been easy to say the least, more mentally. Obviously, physically,” Taylor said.

“If anybody knows me, they know I have a very high pain threshold. But mentally man… it’s sent me sideways.”

To this point, Robert Taylor is treating the pain with different painkillers and anti-inflammatories, including Naproxen and Omeprazole.

“It’s getting to a point now, where I’m relying on painkillers to get me through the day. They’re making me tired. Even my lower back — it’s unreal man. Even a man like me, with the will and drive to success so bad, that something I’ve worked all my life for — all my f***ing life.”

Taylor aggravated his back once again and he explained how it makes him nervous to continue training. He does not want to “disable himself” or re-injure it during his workouts.

“I’m losing myself as a man, as a father. I’m scared. with my f***ing work ethic. My passion for bodybuilding. I’m going to make myself disabled. Plain and simple as this. I feel like I’m going to make myself disabled. Telling me to go in the gym, go steady, when you’re prepping for Mr. Olympia seven weeks out, it ain’t going to happen man. It ain’t going to happen.”

Robert Taylor was planning to retire from competition following the 2022 Olympia but he will not be unable to appear in the show. He explained how he does not do bodybuilding for the money, but for the love of the sport.

“Growing up as a bodybuilder, we’re all dreaming to get to Mr. Olympia. This was going to be my last show. My last ride. It was never about the money for me. I don’t do bodybuilding for the money. Finance, I don’t need it. It’s always been about the love of the sport. Why I started was to get to Mr. Olympia. This is the closing chapter of my book.”

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Greg Patuto
Greg has covered the four major sports for six years and has been featured on sites such as Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports, SB Nation, NJ.com, and FanSided. Now, he is transitioning into the world of bodybuilding and strength sports.