Nasser El Sonbaty 1965-2013

[tgrusso78]

Still remember him from when I was first getting into lifting. Always sad when someone dies young.

 

[DieYoungStrong]

RIP. I've never competed, but was always a fan of Nasser's physique. I think the diuretics, petides, and huge amounts of tren are the culprits. I've always kept the total of my stacks to 1G/week max while on, and I think that is very moderate. These guys do, what like 4-5, plus peptides, etc. Unfortunately, I'm sure there will be more of this in the coming years due to what the modern pros are taking to make a living. Of course, these are just my opinions, which probably arent backed up by any science.

 

[Millard]

RIP. I've never competed, but was always a fan of Nasser's physique. I think the diuretics, petides, and huge amounts of tren are the culprits. I've always kept the total of my stacks to 1G/week max while on, and I think that is very moderate. These guys do, what like 4-5, plus peptides, etc. Unfortunately, I'm sure there will be more of this in the coming years due to what the modern pros are taking to make a living. Of course, these are just my opinions, which probably arent backed up by any science.

Few people would disagree that extreme steroid use is unhealthy - it's just a matter of how unhealthy. I want to understand the true side effects of AAS more than anyone. Unfortunately, it's difficult in the current environment of hysteria surround PEDs and the resultant scare tactics and propaganda.

Anti-steroid crusaders tend to use problems seen in cases of extreme use and assert that these problems will apply to all levels of use. This doesn't help matters.

 

[DieYoungStrong]

Few people would disagree that extreme steroid use is unhealthy - it's just a matter of how unhealthy. I want to understand the true side effects of AAS more than anyone. Unfortunately, it's difficult in the current environment of hysteria surround PEDs and the resultant scare tactics and propaganda.

Anti-steroid crusaders tend to use problems seen in cases of extreme use and assert that these problems will apply to all levels of use. This doesn't help matters.

Well said!

 

[Zestorer]

Few people would disagree that extreme steroid use is unhealthy - it's just a matter of how unhealthy. I want to understand the true side effects of AAS more than anyone. Unfortunately, it's difficult in the current environment of hysteria surround PEDs and the resultant scare tactics and propaganda.

Anti-steroid crusaders tend to use problems seen in cases of extreme use and assert that these problems will apply to all levels of use. This doesn't help matters.

Very good point. But another thing I would like to point out is that in my opinion things like this would be more readily preventable of more research and evidence was available to diagnose the results and effects of long term heavy steroid use. However, until media stops demonizing this will be impossible since people see steroids as evil in and of themselves. It's crazy though how quick folks jump to judge whether Nasser or any other person was 'right' or 'wrong' in what he did, when really no one is to determine that. For him it was worth it, for some it isn't, but in the end who is to really say that the way he made a living for himself was wrong or morally objectionable?

 

[Millard]

Very good point. But another thing I would like to point out is that in my opinion things like this would be more readily preventable of more research and evidence was available to diagnose the results and effects of long term heavy steroid use. However, until media stops demonizing this will be impossible since people see steroids as evil in and of themselves. It's crazy though how quick folks jump to judge whether Nasser or any other person was 'right' or 'wrong' in what he did, when really no one is to determine that. For him it was worth it, for some it isn't, but in the end who is to really say that the way he made a living for himself was wrong or morally objectionable?

Very good point! Is an athlete doing what it takes to succeed in a given sport really considered "abuse"? It's actually very adaptive behavior within the subculture. It may not necessarily be healthy. But where is it written that the number one objective for individuals must always, unconditionally be the pursuit of health?

The greatest hypocrisy seen in society's demonization of steroids is the lip service it pays to health. We live in a society, as evidenced through their behaviors, gives very little concern for health. Yet, they have no problem criticizing steroid users based on self-righteous concern for health.

I wish people would stop equating pursuit of health with morality.

Skydiving, race car driving, bungee jumping, downhill skiing, road cycling are all behaviors that have risks. Adults enjoy the freedom these activities for nothing more than their own self-fulfilment. They are not usually judged. The majority of Americans take even greater health risks via their sedentary lifestyle and poor diet. Why should steroid users or bodybuilders be judged any differently for their lifestyle choices?

 

[CensoredBoardsSuck]

The greatest hypocrisy seen in society's demonization of steroids is the lip service it pays to health. We live in a society, as evidenced through their behaviors, gives very little concern for health. Yet, they have no problem criticizing steroid users based on self-righteous concern for health.

Excellent post, Millard.

IMO, sports played at a high level have nothing to do with health and everything to do with money. There's no more concern given to the "health" of athletes than to the health of a champion race horse. As long as they can keep the player/horse patched together enough to their job, the public are satisfied and the owners keep selling tickets.

Most players in the contact sports don't retire because they've past their prime, but from the countless injuries and multiple surgeries. They're simply worn out. How many times have we heard of doctors freezing the broken ankle or foot or injecting synthetic lubricant in the kness of NHL players so they can play? A news story a few years ago reported one of the NHL teams was knocked out of the playoffs and the following week, 18 players were scheduled for surgery.

The public don't say a word about 18 players needing surgery being forced to play a GAME but they're shocked to hear about steroids. It make no sense.

 

[Wiscon]

At this point, I don't think anyone can say with certainty that Nasser's death was the result of steroid use.150 lb. 30 year old non steroid users die in their sleep every day. Unfortunately there is a faction with an agenda to advance, who will make that claim to an uninformed public who takes misinformation and runs with it. In an environment where an adult can't (or couldn't) buy a 30 oz. soda in some places, I don't hold much hope for more enlightened regulation of steroids anytime soon.

 

[Millard]

IMO, sports played at a high level have nothing to do with health and everything to do with money. There's no more concern given to the "health" of athletes than to the health of a champion race horse. As long as they can keep the player/horse patched together enough to their job, the public are satisfied and the owners keep selling tickets.

You touch on another good topic. The public loves to crucify steroid-using athletes; they will try to destroy them if athletes caught. But the owners/sponsors keep making money - much more money than they would if the athletes didn't use steroids. Rarely does the public ever attack owners. And they are the ones making big bucks of the backs of steroid-using athletes. This is especially true in non-unionized sports like pro cycling and bodybuilding.

 

[Millard]

At this point, I don't think anyone can say with certainty that Nasser's death was the result of steroid use.150 lb. 30 year old non steroid users die in their sleep every day. Unfortunately there is a faction with an agenda to advance, who will make that claim to an uninformed public who takes misinformation and runs with it. In an environment where an adult can't (or couldn't) buy a 30 oz. soda in some places, I don't hold much hope for more enlightened regulation of steroids anytime soon.

Very true. There's been no evidence that steroids caused his death. It's possible they contributed e.g. exacerbated a pre-existing condition. But even that, we don't know.

There are confounding variables. For example, the mortality rate for ANYONE who is over 250 lbs is probably higher. It may not really matter how they got there. Are individuals who got there from using steroids at any greater risk than those who got there from poor dietary habits and a sedentary lifestyle?

Or individuals who respond best to resistance training (bodybuilding) and/or steroids may have a collection of other predisposing risk factors. Do pro bodybuilders have more pre-existing risk factors for certain diseases than the general population?

These are some of the questions that need to be parceled out during an honest examination.

In the meantime, I think suspicion is justified given the extreme use of AAS and other drugs in pro bodybuilding. There is no reason to assume that extreme drug use, of any type, is safe. However, our suspicion is motivated by genuine concern for the health of other people in the sport and individuals participating in the subculture who could benefit from learning more about side effects of steroids.

Anti-steroid crusaders care less about the truth and more about promoting an agenda to demonize steroids. Rather than an understanding of steroids to protect the health of steroid users, they just want to find another way to condemn the steroid user.

 

[PS LABS FOUNDER]

I always though he had some of the best calves i ever seen in pros / although he was open about synthol use - i read he said in the pros its as common as toothpaste

this pic is insane / he will always be one of the legends - he was basically 300lbs here

 

[Millard]

Guillermo Tom, the trainer partner of Nasser El Sonbaty’, discusses Nasser's health in months before his death:

“Nasser had been ill for sometime. In November he was admitted to the hospital here in San Diego for breathing problems. It was then that he was diagnosed with heart failure and kidney damage. He was on dialysis from that day on. The doctors told him he was not a candidate for a heart transplant because his heart was too weak. He went back to Egypt to visit his family, which consisted of his mother, father and one sister. He died in his sleep while in Egypt. Whether or not it was caused by any of the illnesses I mentioned, we do not yet know. That’s the true story.”

Facts Behind Nasser El Sonbaty's Death Confirmed - MuscleMag

 

[Demondosage]

Upon further research and reflection of Nassers death, I believe its really unconfirmed. One source said he contracted malaria and couldnt fight it off because of a bad liver, other sources say kidney failure, who knows. But one thing I do know is bodybuilding has a dark side to it that many are unaware of. The painkillers are rampant in this sport, and many die from using those over the years. A couple of other things that I'd be willing to bet on, was that he used HEAVY amounts of anadrols and dbols, along with diuretics. Those right there will wreak havoc on your system!! Look at the guys pics for Christ sakes, you cant tell me he wasnt loaded to the gills on drols or dbols. Same thing with Sergio, tons and tons of dbols over the years