In 1982, Matt Mendenhall (a.k.a. Mr. Genetics) was one of the most promising young bodybuilders. Bodybuilder Matt Mendenhall is widely regarded as the greatest bodybuilder who never pursued a professional career. He was a Cincinnati bodybuilding legend. He rose to prominence in the 1980s by displaying an incredible physique at the peak of his powers. Many people, including Lee Haney, regarded him as having one of the most impressive physiques of the time. He also worked as a professional personal trainer, and he made it his mission to help others obtain the physique they desired. Unfortunately, Matt Mendenhall, bodybuilder, had a long list of misfortunes that prevented him from reaching his full potential and earning his pro card.
Despite his bad luck, he never gave up on his dream until there was no choice. After years of intense bodybuilding, his body began to shut down. So you are going to read his story now.
The early life of bodybuilder Matt Mendenhall
Matt Mendenhall was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, into a fitness-obsessed family. Three of his siblings were bodybuilders, two of whom competed while he was still a child.
Matt did not follow family tradition in his early years. He was an amazing football player who also dabbled in pole-vaulting. His incredible genetics allowed him to develop a fantastic physique without ever setting foot in a gym. He suffered a major injury to his forearm while pole-vaulting at 15 in 1975. He was on the verge of amputating his forearm, and the doctor warned him that it would not fully recover.
His siblings told him never to give up. So he entered the gym under their supervision. He began lifting weights to begin his recovery. He had regained full power of his forearm and packed an great amount of muscle mass in his body within no time, proving his doctor wrong.
Matt Mendenhall career
In 1978, after a few years of powerlifting, Matt demonstrated an impressive capacity for rapidly gaining muscle mass, particularly in the legs in his senior year of high school. Matt made an incredible physique three years after starting to lift weights in the gym. He'd already outmuscled all of his classmates in his senior year and appeared to be a seasoned bodybuilder. A teacher encouraged him to participate in his first bodybuilding competition, Mr. Ohio High School. 17-year-old Matt placed second in that completion without a tan, diet, or posing routine! He competed in the Mr. Metropolitan in Cincinnati in 1979. He won the overall teenage title and the tall class, best power, most muscular, and open men's divisions. He opened a gym in Cincinnati with his brother Mark later. It provided a good training environment and a source of revenue. In 1981, he competed in the Mr. Cincinnati and Mr. Buckeye State pageants, winning both. Bodybuilder Matt Mendenhall earned an electrical engineering degree from the Ohio College of Applied Science in 1979. Before realizing that a desk job was not for him, he worked for his father's company in Cincinnati for a while.
A sudden twist in Bodybuilder Matt Mendenhall's career
Matt competed in nine more competitions over the next seven years, winning four. Despite finishing second on numerous occasions, Matt lost with dignity – in 1982, at 22. Future legend Lee Haney defeated him.
Due to severe illnesses and events, he could never reach his genetic potential.
He caught the flu three weeks before the NPC Nationals in 1983. While recovering, he lost a significant amount of weight and condition. Yet he returned to the stage after his parents arrived at the show, eager to see him compete.
Matt Mendenhall bodybuilder was thrown out of his front window after a car accident a year later. Although he could recover and compete in his best shape, he was controversially beaten to first place by Mike Christian. The crowd was furious, and the decision would be questioned for years to come.
But, at the age of 25, Matt had a rare taste of success in 1985. He competed in the NPC USA Championships and was crowned heavyweight champion. This victory provided him a spot in the World Games the following year.
Matt Mendenhall took a break.
Matt was jetlagged and exhausted from his flight to London by the time of the 1985 NPC World Games. He lost to a shredded Berry DeMey because he retained a lot of fluid for the competition.
Matt became ill again after finishing second at the 1986 NPC Nationals. His body wasn't coping well with the stresses of competitive bodybuilding. So, he began to consider retiring.
After finishing 10th and 11th in the 1987 and 1988 NPC Nationals, respectively – the lowest finishes of his career – he decided to retire.
Matt Mendenhall enrolled in a college to study homeopathy. Then he started his own supplement company for the next three years.
End of Matt Mendenhall bodybuilder's career
In 1991, Joe Weider repeatedly asked Matt to return to competitive bodybuilding, and he did so at the NPC Nationals. Even though he didn't win, he finished in a respectable 5th place.
Matt had made his final appearance on stage at the age of 31.
Matt moved to Texas after retiring from the sport and started a personal training business. People regarded him as a legend, no matter his competitive history.
Conclusion
At the age of 61, Matt Mendenhall died in August 2021. Many of his friends, teammates, and fans expressed their sadness on social media after the tragic news was confirmed by posting tributes.
Matt Medenhall has taught us that we should never give up on our dreams no matter what happens. Despite having experienced a series of regrettable events, he continued to compete in several competitions.
One lesson we can learn from bodybuilder Matt Mendenhall’s story is that trophies aren't everything in life. Despite finishing second on numerous occasions and never becoming a professional bodybuilder, he is remembered as one of the sport's greatest athletes.
Despite his bad luck, he never gave up on his dream until there was no choice. After years of intense bodybuilding, his body began to shut down. So you are going to read his story now.
The early life of bodybuilder Matt Mendenhall
Matt Mendenhall was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, into a fitness-obsessed family. Three of his siblings were bodybuilders, two of whom competed while he was still a child.
Matt did not follow family tradition in his early years. He was an amazing football player who also dabbled in pole-vaulting. His incredible genetics allowed him to develop a fantastic physique without ever setting foot in a gym. He suffered a major injury to his forearm while pole-vaulting at 15 in 1975. He was on the verge of amputating his forearm, and the doctor warned him that it would not fully recover.
His siblings told him never to give up. So he entered the gym under their supervision. He began lifting weights to begin his recovery. He had regained full power of his forearm and packed an great amount of muscle mass in his body within no time, proving his doctor wrong.
Matt Mendenhall career
In 1978, after a few years of powerlifting, Matt demonstrated an impressive capacity for rapidly gaining muscle mass, particularly in the legs in his senior year of high school. Matt made an incredible physique three years after starting to lift weights in the gym. He'd already outmuscled all of his classmates in his senior year and appeared to be a seasoned bodybuilder. A teacher encouraged him to participate in his first bodybuilding competition, Mr. Ohio High School. 17-year-old Matt placed second in that completion without a tan, diet, or posing routine! He competed in the Mr. Metropolitan in Cincinnati in 1979. He won the overall teenage title and the tall class, best power, most muscular, and open men's divisions. He opened a gym in Cincinnati with his brother Mark later. It provided a good training environment and a source of revenue. In 1981, he competed in the Mr. Cincinnati and Mr. Buckeye State pageants, winning both. Bodybuilder Matt Mendenhall earned an electrical engineering degree from the Ohio College of Applied Science in 1979. Before realizing that a desk job was not for him, he worked for his father's company in Cincinnati for a while.
A sudden twist in Bodybuilder Matt Mendenhall's career
Matt competed in nine more competitions over the next seven years, winning four. Despite finishing second on numerous occasions, Matt lost with dignity – in 1982, at 22. Future legend Lee Haney defeated him.
Due to severe illnesses and events, he could never reach his genetic potential.
He caught the flu three weeks before the NPC Nationals in 1983. While recovering, he lost a significant amount of weight and condition. Yet he returned to the stage after his parents arrived at the show, eager to see him compete.
Matt Mendenhall bodybuilder was thrown out of his front window after a car accident a year later. Although he could recover and compete in his best shape, he was controversially beaten to first place by Mike Christian. The crowd was furious, and the decision would be questioned for years to come.
But, at the age of 25, Matt had a rare taste of success in 1985. He competed in the NPC USA Championships and was crowned heavyweight champion. This victory provided him a spot in the World Games the following year.
Matt Mendenhall took a break.
Matt was jetlagged and exhausted from his flight to London by the time of the 1985 NPC World Games. He lost to a shredded Berry DeMey because he retained a lot of fluid for the competition.
Matt became ill again after finishing second at the 1986 NPC Nationals. His body wasn't coping well with the stresses of competitive bodybuilding. So, he began to consider retiring.
After finishing 10th and 11th in the 1987 and 1988 NPC Nationals, respectively – the lowest finishes of his career – he decided to retire.
Matt Mendenhall enrolled in a college to study homeopathy. Then he started his own supplement company for the next three years.
End of Matt Mendenhall bodybuilder's career
In 1991, Joe Weider repeatedly asked Matt to return to competitive bodybuilding, and he did so at the NPC Nationals. Even though he didn't win, he finished in a respectable 5th place.
Matt had made his final appearance on stage at the age of 31.
Matt moved to Texas after retiring from the sport and started a personal training business. People regarded him as a legend, no matter his competitive history.
Conclusion
At the age of 61, Matt Mendenhall died in August 2021. Many of his friends, teammates, and fans expressed their sadness on social media after the tragic news was confirmed by posting tributes.
Matt Medenhall has taught us that we should never give up on our dreams no matter what happens. Despite having experienced a series of regrettable events, he continued to compete in several competitions.
One lesson we can learn from bodybuilder Matt Mendenhall’s story is that trophies aren't everything in life. Despite finishing second on numerous occasions and never becoming a professional bodybuilder, he is remembered as one of the sport's greatest athletes.
