Podcast Summary: Extreme - Muscle Men: Episode 8, "The Genie Is Out"

Overview

In Episode 8 of Extreme, titled “The Genie Is Out,” BBC host Natalia Melman Petruzella delves into the tumultuous world of anabolic steroids within the bodybuilding community of the 1980s and early 1990s. This episode examines the rise and fall of steroid use among elite bodybuilders, the ensuing crackdown by authorities, and the lasting impact on fitness culture. Through personal stories, expert insights, and historical context, the episode paints a comprehensive picture of an era defined by the pursuit of superhuman physiques at great personal and societal costs.

Sean Ray’s Rise and Fall

The episode opens in February 1990, spotlighting bodybuilder Sean Ray, a confident 24-year-old competitor in the Arnold Classic, a prestigious bodybuilding competition founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Sean, a long-time steroid user since age 20, is initially unfazed when he learns that the Arnold Classic will implement its first-ever drug testing.

Sean Ray [00:36]: "Notification went out that this is going to be the first ever drug tested."

Confident in his ability to evade detection, Sean enters the competition with unshakable self-assurance.

Sean Ray [01:39]: "I went in very cocky, self confident, I should say that I've already beat these guys."

Sean triumphs, winning first place and a $60,000 prize. However, his victory is short-lived. Shortly after, he receives devastating news at a seminar in Toronto.

Sean Ray [02:14]: "I tested positive after I won the competition. It was a fast-acting water-based drug and I knew that I had taken it and I was notified that I was disqualified, that I was not gonna receive the check and that I would have to return the trophy."

The fallout forces Sean to relinquish his trophy and prize money, marking a poignant moment of accountability in bodybuilding.

Sean Ray [02:45]: "It's a tough lesson to go and take a trophy off of your mantle that I'd given to my mom."

This incident highlights the shifting landscape in bodybuilding, where steroid use, once a taboo subject, began facing stringent scrutiny and repercussions.

The Broader Steroid Crackdown

The episode contextualizes Sean’s disqualification within a broader anti-steroid movement gaining momentum in the late 1980s. Following the collapse of a major steroid trafficking ring led by William Dillon, David Jenkins, and Dan Duchene, authorities and policymakers intensified efforts to curb steroid abuse.

Historian and podcaster Natalia Melman Petruzella explains:

Narrator [03:10]: "You could see this moment as a sign that even at the most extreme levels of bodybuilding culture, things really were changing..."

Despite these efforts, the entrenched culture of steroid use posed significant challenges to eradication efforts.

Sean Ray [03:31]: "The irony is that no one gave a shit. No one cared. The bodybuilding fraternity thought the whole thing was a farce."

The Ben Johnson Scandal: ATurning Point

A pivotal moment in public perception of steroid use was the Ben Johnson scandal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Johnson's initial victory and subsequent disqualification for steroid use became a global headline, exacerbating the anti-steroid sentiment.

Daniel Rosenki [07:02]: "The urine sample of Ben Johnson, Canada Athletics 100 meter collected on Saturday, 24 September 1988, was found to contain the metabolites of a banned substance, namely stanozolol."

The scandal transformed the narrative around steroids from mere cheating to moral corruption, influencing both public opinion and legislative action.

Dan Duchene [07:54]: "Ben was the hero. He defeated his arch rival, the great Carl Lewis, the greatest athlete in history. And that narrative changed quickly and it changed to the charged up, politicized words disgraced doper."

Legislative Response: The Steroid Control Act

In response to growing concerns, the U.S. government enacted the Anti Drug Abuse Act in November 1990, which classified anabolic steroids as a Schedule III controlled substance. This legislation introduced harsher penalties for trafficking and possession, particularly targeting distribution to minors.

Daniel Lundgren [09:12]: "Do you believe that more pressure should be brought to bear on the National Football League to be tougher on ball players involved in drugs."

Senator Joe Biden, among others, was instrumental in advocating for stricter steroid regulations, citing the drugs' threat to fair competition and public health.

Senator Joe Biden [08:44]: "The criminalizing of it by Congress was absolutely the last thing I would have done."

Despite these measures, experts like prosecutor Philip Halpern voiced skepticism about the efficacy of criminalization, arguing that it might drive the market underground, making steroids more dangerous.

Philip Halpern [11:02]: "I never was in favor of it."

Health Implications and Expert Insights

Medical experts like Dr. Harrison Pope shed light on the long-term health consequences of steroid use, including cardiomyopathy and atherosclerosis, which significantly increase the risk of heart attacks.

Philip Halpern [12:10]: "Steroids affect muscles. The heart, in fact, is the strongest muscle in the body and it's the only muscle that never rests."

Research revealed alarming statistics, such as three out of 86 steroid users in a study having suffered heart attacks before age 45.

Philip Halpern [12:59]: "Of the 86 steroid users who I recruited to participate in our cardiac study, three of the 86 men had had a heart attack prior to the age of 45."

These findings underscored the severe health risks associated with prolonged steroid use, complicating the legislative and cultural battle against their abuse.

Dan Duchene: The Steroid Guru’s Descent

Central to the steroid narrative is Dan Duchene, a key figure in the 1980s steroid trafficking ring. Duchene's influence extended beyond distribution; he propagated steroid use among gym-goers and personal relationships, fostering addiction and dependency.

Daniel Rosenki [18:26]: "You go so far down a certain road and there's really no way back."

Duchene's criminal activities culminated in his arrest in May 1991 for conspiracy to defraud the federal government by selling GHB, another performance-enhancing drug.

Dan Duchene [25:05]: "I don't look at it like it was wasted time, not ashamed of it at all."

Duchene’s complex character is explored through interviews, revealing a man driven by entrepreneurial spirit yet marred by unethical practices and personal turmoil.

Impact on Bodybuilding Culture

The Steroid Control Act and subsequent crackdowns had mixed effects on bodybuilding. While intended to curb steroid abuse, competitive bodybuilding saw fluctuating enforcement. The 1990 Mr. Olympia showcased the first drug-tested event, resulting in disqualifications that left competitors like Sean Ray appearing less muscular.

Sean Ray [15:36]: "We were all smaller, we were all softer. We didn't have this wow factor."

The backlash against tested bodybuilders led to the abandonment of extensive testing in subsequent competitions, with some organizations like the International Federation of Bodybuilders claiming adherence to doping controls. However, many insiders argue that steroid use only intensified post-legislation.

Sean Ray [16:34]: "It's the wild, wild west today."

Long-Term Legacy and Ongoing Challenges

The episode concludes by reflecting on the enduring legacy of the steroid era. Despite legal restrictions, steroid use persists, now facilitated by online markets and evolving drug formulations. Former traffickers like William Dillon transitioned to legitimate fitness industries, shaping modern fitness culture while grappling with their past.

Dan Duchene [27:05]: "If there's a way to cheat, and you can make money cheating, it's human nature to do it just the way it is."

Health risks remain paramount, with experts emphasizing the dangers of steroid abuse and the need for ongoing education and regulation.

Philip Halpern [24:32]: "I don't know what the solution is, but no one should have to die for a trophy."

Bodybuilders and industry veterans advocate for transparency and responsible practices, aiming to foster a healthier and more ethical fitness environment.

Conclusion

“Extreme” Episode 8, “The Genie Is Out,” offers a compelling exploration of the steroid-fueled bodybuilding boom and its repercussions. Through personal narratives, expert commentary, and historical analysis, Natalia Melman Petruzella presents a nuanced account of ambition, ethics, and the relentless pursuit of physical perfection. The episode underscores the complex interplay between individual choices, cultural norms, and regulatory frameworks in shaping the landscape of modern fitness.

Notable Quotes:

• Sean Ray [02:31]: "And to know that when the trophy goes, the entire experience goes. Because I was supposed to have a check for $60,000 and I had to explain to my parents, you know, I made a mistake."

• Dan Duchene [07:54]: "Ben was the hero. He defeated his arch rival, the great Carl Lewis, the greatest athlete in history. And that narrative changed quickly and it changed to the charged up, politicized words disgraced doper."

• Philip Halpern [12:24]: "Of the 86 steroid users who I recruited to participate in our cardiac study, three of the 86 men had had a heart attack prior to the age of 45."

• Sean Ray [15:36]: "We were all smaller, we were all softer. We didn't have this wow factor."

• Dan Duchene [27:05]: "If there's a way to cheat, and you can make money cheating, it's human nature to do it just the way it is."

• Philip Halpern [24:32]: "I don't know what the solution is, but no one should have to die for a trophy."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions of the episode, providing a thorough understanding for those who haven't listened.