‘I Started Coughing Up Blood’ Dorian Yates Reflects on ‘Life-Threatening’ Health Scare Weeks Before ’97 Olympia
Six-time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates recently revisited a perilous health crisis that struck just six weeks before his final title defense in 1997. In a candid discussion on March 8, 2025, Yates shed light on the severe internal bleeding he suffered before stepping on stage, as well as how performance-enhancing drug (PED) usage has evolved over the years.
Dominating the bodybuilding landscape throughout the 90s, Yates revolutionized the sport with unprecedented muscle mass and razor-sharp conditioning. His six-year reign atop the IFBB Pro League saw him vanquish some of the greatest competitors in history, including Kevin Levrone, Shawn Ray, and Flex Wheeler.
While PEDs undeniably played a role in his career, Yates was meticulous about his health, routinely undergoing medical supervision. However, in 1997, just weeks before his final Olympia, the reigning champion battled a crisis that fans never knew about until now.
Dorian Yates Discusses ’97 Health Emergency and Modern Steroid Use: ‘It’s A Totally Different Landscape Now’
In a recent YouTube interview, Yates detailed the repercussions of PED use on his internal health, revealing elevated kidney and liver enzyme levels—common concerns among high-level bodybuilders due to extreme nutritional intake and supplementation.
“Kidney readings were over normal. They were higher than normal. Probably the amount of protein I was eating, 400–500 grams a day. Liver enzymes were sometimes a little elevated, but I’ve seen people with more elevated enzymes that aren’t even on steroids—liver disease, not even alcohol—just too many carbs over the years, uncontrolled blood sugar.”
However, the most alarming issue arose just six weeks before the ’97 Olympia when he experienced severe internal bleeding, causing him to cough up blood.
“The one thing that happened to me that was life-threatening, that I could have died from, was six weeks before the Olympia in ’97. I started coughing up blood.”
Upon being admitted to the hospital, doctors diagnosed him with internal bleeding in his stomach and esophagus.
“I went to the hospital, and they said I had internal bleeding at the top of the stomach and the esophagus.”
To combat the crisis, Yates received an emergency blood transfusion and underwent a laser procedure to cauterize the affected vein.
“This was six weeks before the Olympia, and I coughed in the morning, and there’s blood coming up. That don’t look good, but hey, I got to do my cardio. I’ll deal with it after cardio. I went downstairs to do my cardio, and it was like, ‘Come on, what’s wrong with you?’ I couldn’t even do it. I knew something was wrong.”
Medical professionals traced the root cause of his internal bleeding to a prescription medication meant for short-term use but taken continuously for two years.
“The hospital staff said it was very toxic to the stomach lining. Should be taken for no more than six weeks. He said, ‘How long you been on it?’ I said, ‘Two years.’”
Yates urges today’s athletes to prioritize their health and undergo routine check-ups if they choose to use performance-enhancing substances.
“A lot of people were using high doses [of steroids] over long periods of time, and it increases your chances of getting heart disease, blood clots, and so on. I just tell people if you’re going to do it, make sure that you are monitoring things.”
He acknowledges that today’s bodybuilding landscape offers significantly more resources for those navigating PED use.
“There’s so much more advice you can get now with the internet and doctors that specialize in this. Even in the UK, you got specialist doctors for hormones. We didn’t have any of that, but it’s a totally different landscape now with the PEDs. It’s like household stuff, right? Everyone knows. Girls are like, ‘I’m on a bit of Var,’” Yates explains.
Despite the risks associated with performance-enhancing substances, Yates continues to serve as an icon and mentor for aspiring bodybuilders, openly sharing his experiences and advocating for smarter, well-informed PED usage. As he reflects on the extreme lengths he endured for success, he emphasizes that longevity in the sport requires responsible health management.
Watch the full interview on The Charlie Johnson Show YouTube channel below:
