In a candid discussion about PEDs in competitive jiu-jitsu, Gordon Ryan, widely regarded as one of the sport’s greatest athletes, shared his provocative perspective on life and legacy:
“I would rather die with a legacy at 50 years old than just be a normal guy dying at 70 or 80 years old.”
The controversial statement came during a discussion where Ryan openly addressed his use of PEDs in professional competition. He defended his choices while acknowledging the complexities of PED use in combat sports. Ryan stressed that his priority is to leave a lasting impact on the sport, even if it potentially compromises his longevity.
He cited Arnold Schwarzenegger as an example of an athlete who extensively used performance enhancers yet remains healthy at 80, challenging common assumptions about the life-shortening effects of PED use. This outlook encapsulates Ryan’s larger philosophy: prioritizing extraordinary achievement over conventional longevity.
Gordon Ryan Opens Up About PED Use, Reveals He Started in 2016
Ryan revealed that he began using steroids in 2016, during his attempt to move up from the 77kg weight class.
At the time, Ryan was walking around at 185–190 pounds but needed to reach the 88kg (194 pounds) category. He emphasized that his success in the sport predated his PED use, stating:
“I was submitting ADCC champions and medalists way before I was ever on ster*ids while I was natural while these guys were juiced up.”
Ryan addressed misconceptions about his stomach issues, attributing them not to PED use but to antibiotics taken for recurrent staph infections in 2018. According to Ryan, this wiped out his gut biome and led to lasting digestive problems.
Gordon Ryan has previously tried to argue this as well, but it’s hard not to acknowledge the complex medical situation and the effect that PEDs have had suppressing his immune system—and therefore making it more likely for him to suffer a repetitive staph infection. It’s hard to make definitive claims; however, it’s hard to believe that there was and is no interaction between Ryan’s digestive system and his PED use.
Advocating for research and safer protocols, Ryan argued that athletes would continue using PEDs regardless of testing, particularly at higher competition levels where testing can be circumvented. He maintained that while he could have been the best in the world without PEDs, his decision was about being the best athlete he could be.
It’s also very important to point out that PED use has had a number of casualties in the last several years, making the parallel to Schwarzenegger far-fetched.
The bodybuilding community has been shaken by the recent deaths of three prominent athletes—Illia Yefimchyk, Antonio Souza, and Neil Currey—highlighting the potential dangers of extreme PED use. Yefimchyk, known as “The Mutant,” died at 36 following a heart attack, possibly exacerbated by his rigorous regimen and high-calorie diet. Souza, a 27-year-old Brazilian rising star, tragically collapsed on stage from cardiac arrest during a competition. Currey, a celebrated 34-year-old bodybuilder, took his own life in 2023, leaving a legacy of impressive achievements. These tragedies underscore growing concerns about the cardiovascular risks linked to extreme exercise, with experts noting that while fitness is beneficial, excessive strain can damage the heart, particularly for those with underlying health issues. These cases join many others, including a number of men who have succumbed to kidney failure and unaddressed high blood pressure.
Gordon Ryan Criticizes IBJJF’s Ster*id Testing
Ryan criticized the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s (IBJJF) isolated implementation of testing, arguing that it negatively affected the quality of their events.
“The level of athletes at Worlds and NOGI Worlds since they started testing has drastically diminished,”
Ryan stated, noting that top competitors either stopped competing in these events or faced suspensions.
He suggested that the fragmented approach among different organizations creates an uneven playing field. Without universal testing, natural athletes are left competing against enhanced opponents, depending on the organization.
Ryan also questioned the financial feasibility of year-round random testing, particularly for lower-tier athletes. He proposed that either universal testing or continued acceptance of PED use would be more effective than the current partial bans.
Ryan reiterated his stance for either universal testing across all organizations or none at all. He argued that without uniformity, the current policies are ineffective and only serve to drive top talent away from tested events.
Gordon Ryan Criticizes “Natural” Athletes’ Moral Stance on PEDs
Ryan questioned athletes who take a moral stance against PED use, suggesting their arguments are inconsistent:
“Whenever someone wins who’s natural, it’s ‘oh well I won against this guy on ste*oids so I’m better,’ but then when they lose it’s the excuse of ‘well I lost to this guy because I was on ster**ds.'”
He emphasized that history only remembers winners and losers, not the circumstances behind their victories:
“When people look back in 10 years, they’re not going to remember that argument that you made that you were on ster*ids and you were natural. They’re going to remember this guy won and this guy lost.”
While expressing respect for athletes who choose to compete naturally, Ryan questioned their logic:
“I respect people who want to do it natural, but it’s like you can be a better athlete if you do it unnaturally, so it doesn’t make sense really to do it naturally if you’re looking to be the best athlete that you can be.”
