Dorian Yates

Date: 2017-07-26 | Duration: 3h 6m

Episode Overview

Six-time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates — widely regarded as the man who revolutionized bodybuilding with his blood-and-guts high-intensity training — joins Joe for an epic three-hour conversation. Yates recalls arriving from the UK at Gold's Gym in 1992 for his first professional show, the Night of Champions, and how the Weider magazines catapulted him to fame. They discuss the current state of bodybuilding and the rise of CrossFit and alternative fitness competitions like Super League, debate PED testing and USADA's role in sports, and explore the long-term brain damage data in NFL players. Yates opens up about his transformative ayahuasca experiences and how psychedelics shifted his worldview after retiring from competition. A rare window into the mind of a bodybuilding legend who evolved far beyond the sport that defined him.

About Dorian Yates

Dorian Yates is a legendary English professional bodybuilder renowned for his groundbreaking physique and dominance in the sport, having clinched the Mr. Olympia title six consecutive times from 1992 to 1997. With a total of six titles, he ranks among the top bodybuilders in history, known for his innovative training techniques and dedication to the sport. Beyond his competitive success, Yates is currently the President of Super League, a new bodybuilding event aimed at revitalizing the sport, set to launch in Las Vegas on July 29. His transformative approach and insights into bodybuilding have made him a fascinating figure, inspiring both aspiring athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike.

Key Moments

– Mr. Olympia Legacy and Bodybuilding History
– High-Intensity Training Philosophy
– PED Testing and USADA
– NFL Brain Damage and CTE
– Ayahuasca and Psychedelic Transformation
0:00:00 – Dorian Yates — first arriving at Gold's Gym from the UK in 1992
0:21:08 – High-intensity training mechanics — hip hinge and glute squeeze
0:57:52 – USADA and the Lance Armstrong anti-doping fight
1:18:40 – NFL players and traumatic brain injury data
1:58:45 – Ayahuasca — subtle start, profound journey
2:42:27 – Using weed to slow down hyperactive minds

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 Push the sucker right up close. Three, two, one. And we're live. What's happening, man? How are you? I'm cool, man. Up here in L.A. It's nice to meet you in person. I've seen you in magazines. I've seen you since, man, like, Starting point is 00:00:18 when did you first burst onto the bodybuilding scene? What year was that? I was reminiscing today. First time I came out here was 1992, Gold's Gym. So I came from UK to do my first professional bodybuilding contest. It was called Night of Champions in New York. And I got second place there and made a real big impact. And the Weider company that used to be based out here with the Flex magazine and Muscle and Fitness. They're right down the street. They used to be. I don't think they are anymore. No, Starting point is 00:00:44 it's all closed down. There's a fence around it and everything but that's not that's less than a mile away from here yeah the weeder officers are out there and you know we know was uh it was a big name in bodybuilding the magazines and everything so they flew me out here did my first photo shoot at gold's gym 1990 so yeah 27 years ago man i remember watching you in those magazines you were the first guy well you know what were the first guy but you were one of the first guys that i ever saw in a magazine that i was like gee how the fuck is that a person you were so big man jesus christ you were big that's funny because i look back at some of the pictures now of me and I say what the fuck you know uh well you're going for it it's extreme it's um and I came into the sport and I wanted to see what I could do I wanted to like take it as far Starting point is 00:01:34 as I could take it you know well you represented to me as an outsider looking in this insane determination you know like I felt like all the best guys, whether it was Arnold or you or Lee Haney, all the top guys, they always represented not just like the biggest and the most profoundly, ridiculously muscular bod...

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Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #989?

Dorian Yates was the guest on JRE #989. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #989?

On Joe Rogan Experience #989 with Dorian Yates, topics include Mr. Olympia Legacy and Bodybuilding History, High-Intensity Training Philosophy, PED Testing and USADA, and NFL Brain Damage and CTE.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #989?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #989 with Dorian Yates is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.