but I would argue it’ s all about the mindset,” says Dorian.“ There’ s no secret to it and I have no magic wand- it’ s just about complete dedication, desire and commitment.”
STRONG BUT VUNERABLE
Dorian went on to enjoy a successful reign of the Mr. Olympia contests, before being forced to retire due to injuries after his 1997 victory.
“ My forced retirement left me in a very dark place psychologically,” reveals Dorian.“ I was in complete limbo and didn’ t know where to turn having been so committed to my competitive career. I had spent years focused on one thing, and now, overnight, that had been taken away from me. I was devastated.”
In addition to his sudden retirement, Dorian was left coping with the loss of a loved one, which by his own admission sent him into a spiral of depression and selfdoubt.
“ I knew I was suffering from depression and anxiety, but I was also aware of the fact I couldn’ t let it overwhelm me,” says Dorian.“ I’ d done it once and I’ d do it againwhether that meant maintaining my physique for the sake of public expectation, or being comfortable in my own skin and adopting a new direction in life. I didn’ t want to let fans down, but ultimately if I wasn’ t happy that’ s exactly what I’ d be doing in any case. I accepted it was time for change.”
ADAPTATION, LIFE AFTER BODYBUILDING
After a long, slow battle realising even he wasn’ t immune to life’ s ups and downs, Dorian channelled his unstoppable ability to be able to adapt and grow into new goals.
“ I began to find my spirituality, and I changed from being an insensitive‘ machine’ to a person easily understood by others,” explains Dorian.“ I switched from doing hardcore bodybuilding to things like interval training, and I even mixed this with yoga and meditation. This opened up a whole new world for me.”
Today a highly respected fitness and wellbeing celebrity, Dorian accepts this unexpected change was for the best.
“ My new way of living and training has really helped me to feel more in touch with myself mentally ad spiritually,” he says.“ I understand my own mind more and I’ ve slowed down my thought processes in order to tackle everyday stress. This keeps me
strong and able to deal with any signs of depression or anxiety.”
One thing to be learned from this legend is that anything truly is possible.
“ Adaptation is the key to success- no matter what your goal,” advises Dorian.“ If you want to be great at anything, anything at all, then you need to work harder than your opponents and attack from every angle. Train your mind and your body will follow. I learned how to tap into the depths of my own mindset and some say that made me the strongest, most powerful weapon in British bodybuilding.”
14 FLEX | FEBRUARY 2018