Steve Michalik
Encyclopedia
Steve Michalik is a bodybuilder most active during the 1970s and 80's. He won a number of titles including the 1971 AAU Mr. USA, the Mr. America
in 1972 and the NABBA Mr. Universe
in 1975 as well as 22 other titles including the 1971 AAU Mr. Apollo and the Most Muscular Man in the USA.
Shortly after the 1975 Mr Universe, Steve was involved in a serious car accident which left him paralyzed from the waist down and relegated to a wheel chair for 3 years.
At the 1980 IFBB Miami Grand Prix event, Steve made his now famous comeback to the stage, where television commentator Arnold Schwarzenegger introduced Steve as the Phantom Bodybuilder. Placing 4th in the event qualified him for the newly formed Grand Prix tour.
According to Michalik, he has suffered many serious health problems due to his steroid use. It started with him passing blood in his urine; a sign of the multiple liver tumors doctors later discovered. After recovering from these bouts with cancer Michalik suffered a heart attack, followed by a stroke. Since then, he has been against the use of steroids.
AAU Mr. America
AAU Mr. America was a bodybuilding competition started by the Amateur Athletic Union . It was first held on 4 July 1939 and the winner was named "America's Best Built Man". In 1940 this was changed to what is now known as the Mr. America contest....
in 1972 and the NABBA Mr. Universe
Universe Championships
The Universe Championships are an annual bodybuilding event organised by the National Amateur Bodybuilders Association . It has a number of competitions: NABBA Amateur Mr. Universe, Miss Figure, and Miss Toned Figure....
in 1975 as well as 22 other titles including the 1971 AAU Mr. Apollo and the Most Muscular Man in the USA.
Shortly after the 1975 Mr Universe, Steve was involved in a serious car accident which left him paralyzed from the waist down and relegated to a wheel chair for 3 years.
At the 1980 IFBB Miami Grand Prix event, Steve made his now famous comeback to the stage, where television commentator Arnold Schwarzenegger introduced Steve as the Phantom Bodybuilder. Placing 4th in the event qualified him for the newly formed Grand Prix tour.
According to Michalik, he has suffered many serious health problems due to his steroid use. It started with him passing blood in his urine; a sign of the multiple liver tumors doctors later discovered. After recovering from these bouts with cancer Michalik suffered a heart attack, followed by a stroke. Since then, he has been against the use of steroids.
External links
- Official Website - Steve Michalik
- Amazon.com - Atomic Fitness: The Alternative to Drugs, Steroids, Wacky Diets, And Everything Else That's Failed
- MuscleSport Radio interview with Joe Pietaro, 6/6/09
- "Mind Over Muscle" article written by Steve Michalik in MuscleSport Magazine, Volume 1, Number 1 - Fall 2009