Ronnie Coleman, Mr. Olympia

Ronnie Coleman is infamous in the world of bodybuilding. He is matched by only one other for his eight-time Mr.Olympia title reign. In October, 2005 Ronnie Coleman tied Lee Haney with the most Mr. Olympia titles held by an individual. The Mr. Olympia competition is the most coveted title that a bodybuilder can achieve. Big Ron was able to achieve this title for eight consecutive years.

Ronnie Coleman was born into the world on May 13, 1964, in Monroe, Louisiana. He was raised by his single mother, Jessie Benton, in nearby Bastrop, Louisiana. He was the eldest of four children. Ronnie had a younger brother and two younger sisters. It was from his mother that Ronnie learned his work ethics. He was known as the hardest-working player on his high school football team. When Ronnie was not in the gym or on the playing field he could be found working after school at one of his two jobs. He worked after school and on weekends to help his mother with financial burdens.

This work ethic that was installed into Ronnie from his youth helped further him along with his college career both academically and on the football field for Grambling State University. Ronnie graduated Cum Laude with a BS in accounting. He hoped to begin his career as a certified public accountant. He even moved to Texas to better his opportunities. Little did he know that he was on the road to greatness with a totally different career. It was in Dallas that Ronnie was denied time and time again on his search for a CPA position. He had to resort to delivering newspapers and Dominos pizza to make ends meet. It was while he was skimming the classifieds that Ronnie found a new career path. An ad for the Arlington police department stated that they were hiring. The idea of better pay and benefits appealed to Ronnie and he joined the force.

It was on a recommendation by a fellow police officer that Ronnie check out the new Metroflex gym in Arlington. The owner of the gym, Brian Dobson, was looking for a workout partner and Ronnie was interested in the free membership. Brian recognized Ronnie's potential as soon as he walked in the gym. Ronnie had continued to lift weights after college in the police department's weight room. Brian convinced Ronnie to compete in just four months after beginning his transition from power lifting to bodybuilding. It was at the Mr. Texas contest that Ronnie won his first bodybuilding show. Many more titles