Ronnie Coleman, one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time, continues to defy the odds as he works toward regaining his mobility.
Despite enduring numerous surgeries that have affected his ability to walk, Ronnie Coleman remains steadfast in his goal.
In a recent update, the eight-time Mr. Olympia champion declared that he will be walking unassisted by January 2027 and even aims to run marathons within four years.
“The journey for me to walk again, this is my commitment to you guys and to myself that in 2027 January, I will be walking again,” Ronnie Coleman stated with determination.
This statement showcases his unwavering resolve despite the numerous challenges he has faced.
With his relentless work ethic, Ronnie Coleman is proving that his competitive spirit extends far beyond the bodybuilding stage.
The Road to Recovery: A Battle Against Surgeries
Throughout his career, Ronnie Coleman was known not only for his dominance on the bodybuilding stage but also for his superhuman strength in the gym.
However, pushing his body to its limits came with consequences. Over the years, he has undergone a total of 13 surgeries, many of which were aimed at addressing injuries dating back to his early years in the sport.
His struggles and recovery journey were featured in the documentary Ronnie Coleman: The King, which aired on Netflix and is now available on Prime.
Unfortunately, not all of his procedures went as planned. During a recent YouTube video, Ronnie Coleman shared that certain surgeries had complications, setting back his progress.
Some of the screws implanted in his back broke multiple times, causing immense pain and further deterioration of his mobility.
“I remember one surgery I went in for, as soon as I got back to my room, the nurse came in and wanted to look at my bandage on my back to make sure it was still holding up. I turned to my left and as soon as I got around, I heard a big pop. It popped actually twice, it popped when I rolled over and it popped again when I rolled back,” Ronnie Coleman recalled.
His experience with these failed procedures has only added to the difficulty of his rehabilitation process.
Despite medical setbacks, he remains committed to his dream of walking and running again.
Aiming for the Ultimate Goal: Running a Marathon
While regaining the ability to walk is a significant milestone, Ronnie Coleman is setting his sights even higher.
His ultimate goal is to not only walk again but to run.
“I can guarantee you that because I am committed to walking again. In about another four years, I’ll be able to run. I’ll be able to do a marathon,” Ronnie Coleman confidently stated.
For most people, running a marathon is a daunting challenge. For Ronnie Coleman, who has spent years confined to a wheelchair due to spinal complications, this goal seems nearly impossible.
Yet, he remains undeterred, proving that his legendary mindset remains intact.
The Impact of Surgeries on His Mobility
Despite Ronnie Coleman’s relentless spirit, the sheer number of surgeries he has endured has taken a toll on his mobility.
He explained that rather than improving his condition, some of the procedures actually made things worse.
“With the surgeries, my mobility never got better. Actually, it probably got worse if anything because the more surgeries I had, the worse my back got. All those discs kept falling and herniating and they would go in and do another surgery and put more screws in and the more they put in, the more screws that broke,” Ronnie Coleman shared.
This series of unfortunate events forced him to take a different approach to his rehabilitation.
Rather than relying solely on surgeries, he has focused on strength training, physical therapy, and innovative medical treatments to rebuild his body from the ground up.
Unbreakable Determination: Training Despite the Odds
Ronnie Coleman has always been known for his unrelenting work ethic. Even now, he continues to train hard in the gym, using every opportunity to strengthen his body and regain function.
He has refused to let his condition keep him from doing what he loves most—lifting weights and pushing himself beyond his limits.
His perseverance has inspired countless fans, proving that even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, the human spirit can overcome.
Ronnie Coleman’s journey is far from over, but if history has shown us anything, it’s that he is not one to back down from a challenge.
As he continues to work toward his goal, the bodybuilding community and fans around the world are rallying behind him, eager to witness yet another incredible feat from the King himself. If anyone can defy the odds and achieve the impossible, it’s Ronnie Coleman.