Extreme Muscle Men: Episode 3 - "Get Ripped. Quick"

Introduction

In the gripping third episode of BBC's Extreme Muscle Men, host Natalia Melman Petruzella delves deep into the shadowy world of anabolic steroid trafficking during the mid-1980s. Titled "Get Ripped. Quick," this episode uncovers the intricate web spun by key figures aiming to revolutionize the bodybuilding and athletic landscapes by pushing the boundaries of human performance. Through meticulous storytelling, rich with firsthand accounts and historical context, listeners are taken on a journey from the pristine Olympic tracks to the clandestine operations fueling the steroid boom.

David Jenkins: From Olympic Athlete to Steroid Pioneer

The episode centers around David Jenkins, a former world-class sprinter and Olympic medalist who transitions from athlete to a pivotal player in the steroid trade. Jenkins' journey begins with his illustrious athletic career, marked by his silver medal performance at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

[03:07] David Jenkins: "Well now that's a good split."

Despite his success, Jenkins faces a moral and professional crossroads. Initially resisting the allure of performance-enhancing drugs, the increasing dominance of steroid-using competitors pushes him to reevaluate his stance.

[06:02] Michael Cohen: "If you're just a fast kid and the sport selects you and you end up rising up the ranks, I mean, there's going to be a decision no matter what."

Jenkins decides to embrace steroids, not just as a user but as a facilitator, aiming to help other athletes navigate the burgeoning demand for performance enhancers.

The 1983 Pan American Games: A Turning Point

A significant portion of the episode recounts the 1983 Pan American Games in Caracas, Venezuela, which served as a catalyst for heightened awareness and crackdowns on steroid use in sports. The introduction of advanced drug testing methods, specifically gas chromatography mass spectrometry, led to widespread disqualifications and a media-fueled scandal.

[14:40] Daniel Rosenki: "They sent us back all as one team and we left at nighttime, late at night and left, got out of Dodge."

This scandal exposed the rampant use of steroids among athletes and highlighted the pressures they faced to perform, setting the stage for the subsequent underground steroid market.

The Rise of Steroid Trafficking: Jenkins, Dillon, and Duchene

Post-scandal, Jenkins partners with William Dillon and Dan Duchene, two ambitious figures from the bodybuilding scene, eager to exploit the black market for steroids. Their collaboration aims to establish a vertically integrated supply chain, ensuring a steady and covert influx of steroids into the American market.

[21:06] William Dillon: "David's saying, well, let's do it, and we'll label it like this. And we'll do this. We'll do this."

Their plan involves counterfeiting existing steroid products, manipulating dosages, and creating a network that can evade legal repercussions while meeting the insatiable demand among athletes and bodybuilders.

Manufacturing and Smuggling: Creating an International Ring

The trio's operations extend beyond mere distribution. They engage with international pharmaceutical contacts, such as Laboratorios Milanos in Mexico, to manufacture counterfeit steroids like Diana Ball, deca-durabolin, and oxandrolone. The episode details their sophisticated smuggling techniques, including concealing steroids in specially designed clothing and vehicles to bypass border inspections.

[25:18] William Dillon: "To get into the country. They actually had smugglers that would. They had things in their pants that they would just fill with pills."

This clandestine approach not only ensures a steady supply but also maintains the ring's secrecy, allowing them to dominate the market without immediate legal challenges.

Ethical Implications and the Future of Steroid Use

Throughout the episode, Petruzella underscores the ethical dilemmas surrounding steroid use in sports. The transformation of sportsmanship into a battlefield for pharmacological enhancement raises questions about the true cost of achieving "superhuman" status.

[16:20] Daniel Rosenki: "It is the absolute turning point because up until then it was a dirty held secret to where it's now out in the open. You know, people are now starting to talk about anabolic steroids."

As the episode concludes, listeners are left contemplating the ramifications of steroid trafficking on both individual athletes and the broader sporting world, setting the stage for future explorations in the next installment of Extreme Muscle Men.

Notable Quotes

• William Dillon [01:04]: "Being around David is like being around a cottontail. You know what a cottontail is? It's a rabbit. It's a wild rabbit, right? His body's always moving. I don't think I ever saw him eat anything but salads."

• David Jenkins [03:30]: "The time is irrelevant, really. It's just if you beat him or you don't beat him."

• Michael Cohen [06:53]: "I'm at an impasse right now, and I have to make a decision. It's go to the dark side, so to speak, or admit to yourself that I wasn't going to be in the Olympics."

• William E. Simon [16:45]: "He made it clear that the Olympic Committee did not tolerate steroid use and said the athletes had been warned time and time again."

Conclusion

"Get Ripped. Quick" offers a comprehensive look into the intersection of ambition, ethics, and illicit trade within the realm of bodybuilding and athletics. By weaving personal narratives with historical context, Natalia Melman Petruzella provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of the forces that propelled anabolic steroids from the shadows into mainstream sports. As the episode closes, anticipation builds for the ensuing consequences that these early pioneers of steroid trafficking will face, promising an enthralling continuation in the next episode of Extreme Muscle Men.