Dorian Yates belongs to an elite group of men who have probably spent more time in the gym than in their real life. The former English professional bodybuilder’s record can only be beaten by universal greats like Arnold Schwarzenegger , Lee Haney , Ronnie Coleman and Phil Heath.
During his active years, he won the Mr. Olympia award and made it his title for six consecutive years, from 1992 to 1997. He might have achieved a lot more if not for an injury-related crisis. forced into early retirement. However, he continued to make a name for himself as a serial entrepreneur in the bodybuilding industry.
Dorian Yates bio
The Hurley man was born Dorian Andrew Mientjez Yates on April 19, 1962. He experienced tragedy from an early age, having to experience the death of his father after a heart attack. Yates was just 13 at the time and later moved to Birmingham with his family. Growing up, Dorian was always a fan of the world of sports and athletics. However, a few tragedies and negative influences early in his life caused him to change course and embrace a life of crime.
Three years after his father’s death, Yates began rolling with a skinhead gang, an affiliation that eventually landed him incarcerated at 19 and saw him spend six months in a youth detention center. It was when he was indoors that Dorian Yates, who had a naturally athletic build, first started training. Soon he began to notice muscle sculpting and growth and realized he could make it in the fitness industry.
Determined to make something of himself, he turned away from the criminal life after his release and devoted all his time to preparing for his career as a bodybuilder. He was 21 when he started this journey.
Yates entered his first professional competition – The Novice Mr. Birmingham in 1984 – after a year of rigorous training, conditioning and dieting and secured the title. The Englishman kept pushing himself and kept winning titles. His first major competitive victory came at the 1986 EFBB British Championship.
After a two-year hiatus spent building up his physique, the muscle man has received his big league calling card. Gone for a few more years, he returned in 1990 at the Night of Champions where he shocked the entire industry by finishing in 2nd place above a few notable names. He was rewarded with the alias ‘The Shadow’, due to his ability to appear out of nowhere at the last minute and top veteran contenders.
After winning the Night of Champions in 1991, Dorian Yates entered the Mr. Olympia competition, the highest recognition in the world of bodybuilding. He put in remarkable performances and came second only to bodybuilding expert Lee Haney.
What happened next was a feat even he didn’t see happening. Yates won the prestigious Mr. Olympia title the following year in 1992 and defended it for five consecutive years, culminating in 1997.
In the last year of his professional career, leBrit suffered several injuries while preparing for the tournament, including tears in his triceps and biceps. He showed resilience, however, as he fought through the pain and ended on a high note by winning the Mr. Olympia title for the final time.
Yates’ professional trophy cabinet includes 15 major titles and two top-tier finals. While still a bodybuilder in 1994, Yates embarked on his first venture when he teamed up with two brothers, Mike and Ray Mentored, to found Heavy Duty Inc.
Dorian Yates Post Career – Where is he now?
Since retiring, Yates has owned a myriad of businesses, including a nutrition company offering solutions for protein intake and weight gain, which he founded in 2006. The man known for his extra large back also created a few other companies in the fitness industry. The workout maniac has also purchased, established and franchised a plethora of gyms over the years, including Temple Gym, which he previously purchased in 1987.
Throughout his life, he has never been a chaser in the limelight, always choosing instead to focus on building his career while avoiding interviews and endorsements. However, in 1993 Dorian released an autobiography which he titled Blood and Guts and released a workout video of the same name three years later.
Yates has been at the forefront of some heated debates. These include advocacy for alternative cancer treatments, reconsideration of the September 11 attacks, and the use of sodium fluoride in the treatment of tap water.
After his retirement, he published other works, including a book called A Warrior’s Story (1988) and a second training video called Blood and Guts (2012).
A London feature film titled Dorian Yates: In the Shadows had its world premiere at BAFTA London in 2017. The film chronicles the former bodybuilder’s early life, his turbulent times and his journey to becoming a great powerlifter.
Family of Dorian Yates – Wife and Son
The former powerlifter took the time for love in his life when he met his wife Glauce “Gal” Ferreira. Gal is originally from Brazil and, like Dorian, a fitness model. Before meeting Yates, Glauce had already made a name for herself in the world of bodybuilding. She had won the IFBB South American Bodyfitness title and the IFBB Bodyfitness World Championship for 2007.
Dorian Yates met Glauce while they were both attending the 2008 Arnold Classic. Since then, they have become a couple and reside at Marcella. The couple have a son, Lewis Yates, who is following in his father’s footsteps and trying to make a name for himself through professional bodybuilding. Dorian takes the time to regularly train his son to be at his best.
Height, weight and body measurements
Yates didn’t stand very tall, a stat that likely worked in his favor during his active days. The muscle maniac stands at a height of 180cm (5ft 11in). During his career, he weighed 120 kg (265 lb) in competition and 132 kg (290 lb) off season.
Yates also had 20 inches of arm circumference, massive 31 inch thighs, a 35 inch waistline, a 20 inch calf and a broad 56 inch chest.