---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I went from 185 lbs to 285 lbs, became a…"
description: "\"I went from 185 lbs to 285 lbs, became a 7X Mr. Olympia, tying Arnold Schwarzenegger, and competed against the most determined and fittest athletes in ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/525/phil-heath-9062_arnold-schwarzenegge_i-went-from-185-lbs-to-285-lbs-became-a_729171.png"
---

#  I went from 185 lbs to 285 lbs, became a 7X Mr. Olympia…

![“I went from 185 lbs to 285 lbs, became a 7X Mr. Olympia, tying Arnold Schwarzenegger, and competed against the most determined and fittest athletes in the world. This took hard work, tremendous dedication, and knowing what, how, and when to train.” quote by Phil Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/525/phil-heath-9062_arnold-schwarzenegge_i-went-from-185-lbs-to-285-lbs-became-a_729171.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/525/phil-heath-9062_arnold-schwarzenegge_i-went-from-185-lbs-to-285-lbs-became-a_729171.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/525/phil-heath-9062_arnold-schwarzenegge_i-went-from-185-lbs-to-285-lbs-became-a_729171.png)

> “I went from 185 lbs to 285 lbs, became a 7X Mr. Olympia, tying Arnold Schwarzenegger, and competed against the most determined and fittest athletes in the world. This took hard work, tremendous dedication, and knowing what, how, and when to train.”

[Phil Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-heath/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He describes his dramatic weight gain and elite bodybuilding success, emphasizing relentless effort, precise planning, and timing in training.

**In simple terms:** Hard work, dedication, and smart training led to top bodybuilding titles.

Key Takeaway

Commit to disciplined, strategic training.

Themes

discipline dedication strategy

Mood

motivational pragmatic

Type

inspirational instructional

When to use this quote

- gym routines
- nutrition planning
- competition preparation

Key Concepts

bodybuilding performance physiology

Questions to Reflect On

- What training habits can you improve?
- How do you balance intensity and recovery?

A Different Perspective

Success requires genetics and resources beyond effort.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Dedication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dedication/) [Hard work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-work/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/)

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> [I never thought I could win Mr. Olympia when I started my career in 2002.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-heath/i-never-thought-i-could-win-mr-olympia-when-i-started-my-career-in/)

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> [As Mr. Olympia, I have to go above and beyond. It's more than just showing muscle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-heath/as-mr-olympia-i-have-to-go-above-and-beyond-it-s-more-than-just/)

[Phil Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-heath/)

> [You win the Mr. Olympia, you are the best in the world. There is no better than that. Some people will think back prior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-heath/you-win-the-mr-olympia-you-are-the-best-in-the-world-there-is-no/)

[Phil Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-heath/)

> [I quit working in the police force full time only after I won my third Mr. Olympia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-coleman/i-quit-working-in-the-police-force-full-time-only-after-i-won-my/)

[Ronnie Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-coleman/)

> [Even when I was on vacation after the Olympia, I was looking for gym to train in. Not only was it 24 hours a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorian-yates/even-when-i-was-on-vacation-after-the-olympia-i-was-looking-for-gym/)

[Dorian Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorian-yates/)

> [I used to think that my career was to be a police officer, and that is what I was put here to do. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-coleman/i-used-to-think-that-my-career-was-to-be-a-police-officer-and-that-is/)

[Ronnie Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-coleman/)

> [When little old ladies recognize a guy who was Mr. Olympia, that's saying something. That means I've been able to cross lines as far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-haney/when-little-old-ladies-recognize-a-guy-who-was-mr-olympia-that-s/)

[Lee Haney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-haney/)

> [It is a lot of pressure to prepare for the Mr. Olympia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-coleman/it-is-a-lot-of-pressure-to-prepare-for-the-mr-olympia/)

[Ronnie Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-coleman/)

> [My first Mr. Olympia was 1991 and that was in Florida against the great Lee Haney, who became Mr. Olympia in 1984, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorian-yates/my-first-mr-olympia-was-1991-and-that-was-in-florida-against-the/)

[Dorian Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorian-yates/)

> [I was Mr. Olympia and everywhere I went I had to project this image. After some time you start wondering what part of that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorian-yates/i-was-mr-olympia-and-everywhere-i-went-i-had-to-project-this-image/)

[Dorian Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorian-yates/)

> [It took me nine years to get to the level of being Mr. Olympia, and it's pretty much a 24-hour-a-day job every day of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorian-yates/it-took-me-nine-years-to-get-to-the-level-of-being-mr-olympia-and-it/)

[Dorian Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorian-yates/)

> [I didn't start out planning to be Mr. Olympia I just wanted to be the best that I could be, but my goals changed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorian-yates/i-didn-t-start-out-planning-to-be-mr-olympia-i-just-wanted-to-be-the/)

[Dorian Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorian-yates/)

> [I'm always positive when it comes to professional bodybuilding, hell I'm Mr. Olympia for God's sake. If I'm number one in our sport and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-coleman/i-m-always-positive-when-it-comes-to-professional-bodybuilding-hell-i/)

[Ronnie Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-coleman/)

> [I was only 30 years old, and the second Mr. Olympia was probably the most outright win in the history of the sport. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorian-yates/i-was-only-30-years-old-and-the-second-mr-olympia-was-probably-the/)

[Dorian Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorian-yates/)

## More by Phil Heath

> [My first bodybuilding competition was the 2003 NPC Northern Colorado, where I was a light-heavyweight weighing in at 192 lbs. I was very nervous,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-heath/my-first-bodybuilding-competition-was-the-2003-npc-northern-colorado/)

[Phil Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-heath/)

> [My goal every year is to be bigger and better than I was the year before. The competition just keeps getting better, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-heath/my-goal-every-year-is-to-be-bigger-and-better-than-i-was-the-year/)

[Phil Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-heath/)

> [It's an honour and a privilege to meet people who look at you as their idol , they actually lose weight and gain muscle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-heath/it-s-an-honour-and-a-privilege-to-meet-people-who-look-at-you-as/)

[Phil Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-heath/)

> [I began bodybuilding shortly after I watched a couple friends compete at a state show and thought it would be cool to try.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-heath/i-began-bodybuilding-shortly-after-i-watched-a-couple-friends-compete/)

[Phil Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-heath/)

> [I'm always the guy on tour that tries to get guys chatting and a lot of banter back and forth so I definitely feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-heath/i-m-always-the-guy-on-tour-that-tries-to-get-guys-chatting-and-a-lot/)

[Phil Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-heath/)

> [I grew up as an only child, so I like being by myself. So I train predominantly - 98 percent of the time -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-heath/i-grew-up-as-an-only-child-so-i-like-being-by-myself-so-i-train/)

[Phil Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-heath/)

> [Dropsets overload the muscle with shorter rest periods and increasing volume, which you need to grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-heath/dropsets-overload-the-muscle-with-shorter-rest-periods-and-increasing/)

[Phil Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-heath/)

> [I train as smart as I can. I'm not concerned what others think. I do what works for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-heath/i-train-as-smart-as-i-can-i-m-not-concerned-what-others-think-i-do/)

[Phil Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-heath/)

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[Phil Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-heath/)

> [When I started out in the industry, I turned to magazines like 'Flex' and 'Muscle & Fitness' - the people on their covers were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-heath/when-i-started-out-in-the-industry-i-turned-to-magazines-like-flex/)

[Phil Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-heath/)

> [I'm not trying to be average.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-heath/i-m-not-trying-to-be-average/)

[Phil Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-heath/)

> [You can't be around people who appease you all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-heath/you-can-t-be-around-people-who-appease-you-all-the-time/)

[Phil Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-heath/)

> [I grew up playing basketball in the inner city of Seattle, and by the time I was a senior, I earned a full scholarship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-heath/i-grew-up-playing-basketball-in-the-inner-city-of-seattle-and-by-the/)

[Phil Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-heath/)

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[Phil Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-heath/)

> [If you can get to the gym 4-5 days a week, that would be perfect. You can still do chest/tri's, back/bi's, legs, shoulders, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-heath/if-you-can-get-to-the-gym-4-5-days-a-week-that-would-be-perfect-you/)

[Phil Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-heath/)

[Explore all 75 Phil Heath quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-heath/)

## More Arnold schwarzenegger quotes

> [Arnold Schwarzenegger looks like a brown condom full of walnuts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-james/arnold-schwarzenegger-looks-like-a-brown-condom-full-of-walnuts/)

[Clive James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-james/)

> [How would Elvira run the state of California? Well, there isn't much I could do that is worse than what Arnold Schwarzenegger has done.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-peterson/how-would-elvira-run-the-state-of-california-well-there-isn-t-much-i/)

[Cassandra Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-peterson/)

> [My dream would be to play the villain in a James Bond movie, or opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger. I like everything exaggerated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/udo-kier/my-dream-would-be-to-play-the-villain-in-a-james-bond-movie-or/)

[Udo Kier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/udo-kier/)

> [I recently read that Arnold Schwarzenegger collects Hummers. Now we know why Maria's face is frozen in that puckered position.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-wilkerson/i-recently-read-that-arnold-schwarzenegger-collects-hummers-now-we/)

[Brad Wilkerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-wilkerson/)

> [I'd like to talk to Arnold Schwarzenegger, 'cause I live in California and I just want to see that canned, chemical filled body in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/i-d-like-to-talk-to-arnold-schwarzenegger-cause-i-live-in-california/)

[Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/)

> [Arnold Schwarzenegger announced he's running for governor. He's got a great slogan - 'Vote for me, or I'll make 'Kindergarten Cop II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-kilborn/arnold-schwarzenegger-announced-he-s-running-for-governor-he-s-got-a/)

[Craig Kilborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-kilborn/)

> [There's no one in the world close to Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is a phenomenon. He's brilliant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvester-stallone/there-s-no-one-in-the-world-close-to-arnold-schwarzenegger-he-is-a/)

[Sylvester Stallone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvester-stallone/)

> [Arnold Schwarzenegger blew away dozens of cops as the Terminator. But I don't hear anybody complaining about that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ice-t/arnold-schwarzenegger-blew-away-dozens-of-cops-as-the-terminator-but/)

[Ice T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ice-t/)

> [ Arnold Schwarzenegger made his tax returns public, \[and\] now there's a problem about him stretching the truth. Apparently under occupation he put down 'actor.' ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/arnold-schwarzenegger-made-his-tax-returns-public-and-now-there-s-a/)

[Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/)

> [Their steaks are often good, but the lobsters-with claws the size of Arnold Schwarzenegger's forearms-are as glazed and tough as most of the customers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-s-forbes/their-steaks-are-often-good-but-the-lobsters-with-claws-the-size-of/)

Malcolm S Forbes

> [Arnold Schwarzenegger is in trouble after tapes surfaced of him saying negative things about other Republicans. Actually the Schwarzenegger tapes surfaced last year, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conan-o-brien/arnold-schwarzenegger-is-in-trouble-after-tapes-surfaced-of-him/)

[Conan O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conan-o-brien/)

> [Simon had drawn three pictures. In the top left corner, like a salutation, was a ghost. The middle had a big sketch of Arnold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/simon-had-drawn-three-pictures-in-the-top-left-corner-like-a/)

[Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/)

> [There's no one in the world close to Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is a phenomenon. He's brilliant. Just because his physique belies that, don't underestimate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvester-stallone/there-s-no-one-in-the-world-close-to-arnold-schwarzenegger-he-is-a-2/)

[Sylvester Stallone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvester-stallone/)

> [People here in Los Angeles are disgusted now about a sex scandal involving Arnold Schwarzenegger. Apparently for seven years, he carried on a sexual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-kilborn/people-here-in-los-angeles-are-disgusted-now-about-a-sex-scandal/)

[Craig Kilborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-kilborn/)

> [What's it like being opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger? For me? Are you kidding? Maybe if I'm lucky, come up to his navel!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-hunt/what-s-it-like-being-opposite-arnold-schwarzenegger-for-me-are-you/)

[Linda Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-hunt/)

Browse all 142 Arnold schwarzenegger quotes

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