An IFBB pro bodybuilder convicted of GHB/GBL distribution and sentenced to over 10 years in prison was released early due to his history of steroid use and his muscle dysmorphia. Ironically, Justin Rys’ steroid use and participation in bodybuilding worked to his benefit in the New Zealand criminal justice system!!
A New Zealand “3 News” video report describes how “megarexia” and Rys’ desire to become a pro bodybuilder caused him to become addicted to GHB/GBL (aka Fantasy) and start illegally importing GHB/GBL (“Mr. Big,” September 29).
Some people become addicted to alcohol, some addicted to gambling. Justin is addicted to weight gain, an addiction labelled megarexic. His addiction saw him thrown in jail for importing illegal drugs with a $2 million street value, all intended for himself, in his attempt to become a champion bodybuilder.
If it were not for Rys’ obsessive desire to get bigger and bigger and the (alleged) damaging effects of steroids on his health, bodybuilder Justin Rys may not have been eligible for parole and released after two and half years (“Court thins term for ‘megarexic’,” August 25, 2007).
Psychiatrist Dr Tony Marks had said Rys’ drug crimes were largely the result of his untreated and unrecognised “muscle dysmorphia” known as megarexia.
His disorder was the catalyst for the drug addiction, Dr Marks said.
“Mr Rys maintains a delusion that he is small and tiny, when physical appearances suggest the contrary,” the Court of Appeal said.
Justin Rys’ history of steroid use as a competitive bodybuilder allegedly compromised his health to the point where he could die suddenly with a life expectancy of no more than 5 to 10 years according to his defense team.
Cardiologist Professor Stewart Mann said Rys’s heart was also damaged, almost certainly because of his use of anabolic steroids and other drugs he used to help his body building.
Rys’ lawyer Christopher Stevenson said the effect of the evidence was that Rys may die in prison and will probably only live for five to 10 years more.
But the most important factor in the court and parole board’s decision was his muscle dysmorphia, bigorexia, reverse anorexia or megarexia.
It said the new psychiatric evidence was more important than the heart condition to the sentence appeal.
I am glad that Justin Rys was released from prison, successfully running several businesses (including Big Kiwi Convict Gear) and contemplating a comeback to IFBB pro bodybuilding competition. Some competitive bodybuilders, like former top amateur bodybuilder Boris Kleine, are prohibited from competing in bodybuilding competitions as a condition of their parole after they are released from jail.
Nonetheless, it is disappointing to see steroid use, bodybuilding and the desire to increase muscle mass demonized.
About the author
Millard writes about anabolic steroids and performance enhancing drugs and their use and impact in sport and society. He discusses the medical and non-medical uses of anabolic-androgenic steroids while advocating a harm reduction approach to steroid education.
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