In a recent update, grappling sensation Gordon Ryan candidly shares insights into his health journey, emphasizing the impact of PEDs and shedding light on the essence of developing “real muscles.”
Gordon Ryan announced his hiatus from competitions throughout the 2024 season due to health challenges, excluding the ADCC scheduled for August.
Battling recent health issues, including a severe streptococcal infection affecting his throat and stomach, the American athlete opened up to his fans about his current state and offered a thought-provoking perspective on ster*id use.
Gordon Ryan has never denied using ster*ds and took the opportunity to challenge the perception that anabolic agents alone significantly alter an athlete’s body mass. Hindered by health concerns, Ryan disclosed a nearly 10kg (22 lbs) weight loss due to the enforced rest he faced in recent months.
Despite the substantial weight loss, Ryan emphasized that his physique maintained a high standard due to his “professionalism in real muscle development,” highlighting a reliance on authentic muscle growth rather than the use of PEDs. The grappling star hinted that performance-enhancers do not shield athletes from losing their physique if they lack regular training or gym sessions.
“For those close to me, you know I’ve been bedridden for the last month or more due to my stomach. I haven’t been able to eat much or exercise. Today, for the first time in over a month, I managed more than light weightlifting (leg training). I lost 9kg – currently around 93kg – but still feel strong and look good. Probably the most handsome human ever, but that’s not the point.
No matter how many ster*ids you take, you won’t maintain your size off-cycle or during illness if you haven’t built ‘real’ muscles. That’s why we see guys going from 106kg ‘cycling’ to 77kg off-cycle. Even malnourished and dying, I am still me. You can’t take shortcuts and expect proper results. Something Nathalia Santoro taught me seven years ago, and I finally understood what she meant. More to come, and fingers crossed for these new medications to keep helping me,” wrote Gordon Ryan.
Currently sidelined indefinitely due to health issues, 28-year-old Gordon Ryan remains a grappling powerhouse, undefeated since May 2018. Despite recent setbacks, his impact on the grappling world is undeniable, with fans eagerly awaiting his return to the competitive arena.
