Lee Haney Explains Why He Retired Undefeated After 8 Olympia Titles: “There’s Nowhere Else To Go However Down”

Like some elite bodybuilders, Haney described the strain of sustaining his grip on the game. From training to a psychological battle, Haney stated he efficiently navigated tough waters for years. He made it clear he didn’t wish to proceed making such a sacrifice as he weighed his choices after his 1991 Olympia triumph.

A part of Haney’s rationale was additionally concerning the concept of staying on prime and being remembered on prime.

“Once we’re on prime, there’s nowhere else to go however down,” Haney defined of his early choice to retire from bodybuilding. “So, the strain of how do I keep right here? What can I do totally different to carry a greater bundle? All these issues run by your thoughts and, in case you don’t hold it collectively, that may actually create quite a lot of stress.”

On the identical time, whereas Haney was distinctive, he made clear he didn’t love bodybuilding per se. For a short time, he simply had an impeccable dedication to his craft.

“I checked out bodybuilding in such a method that it’s my job,” Haney continued. “I didn’t worship the craft though I wished to be one of the best at it. It wasn’t the tip of the world as the way in which I checked out it.”

Finally, the 63-year-old Haney clarified that he virtually thought of retiring after his seventh Olympia victory in 1990. Although, that exit would’ve left the celebrity merely tied with Arnold Schwarzenegger for Olympia wins. It took encouragement from Haney’s spouse Shirley to maintain pushing earlier than he hung up his posing trunks.

The remainder was literal bodybuilding historical past, as Haney would take his eighth consecutive win in 1991 for the Olympia file. The file would stay untouched till Ronnie Coleman’s record-tying eighth title in 2005.

“After I acquired to the seventh [Olympia win], I assumed to myself, seven is a file,” Haney began. “Arnold [Schwarzenegger] didn’t do seven [Olympias] in a row however he did do general. I had a dialog with Shirley, and she or he was like, ‘What are you speaking about, stop? You gotta do eight. What’s the matter with you?’”