by Christian Duque
It completely breaks my coronary heart to report that legendary bodybuilder “Mighty” Mike Quinn has handed away. I’ll always remember going to his mother and father home in Palm Seaside Gardens Florida again in 2015 and sitting down with him for what could be among the best interviews I’ve ever executed. It ran for over 40 minutes after a substantial quantity of enhancing.
I’ve by no means been a fan of enhancing down interviews as a result of I really feel that it removes a sure stage of authenticity from the video, however Mike was most likely probably the most unfiltered folks I’ve ever interviewed. He was saying issues that fairly frankly may have introduced upon me a number of lawsuits from a number of high bodybuilders, complement corporations, bodybuilding Federation‘s, and who is aware of who else. That’s how actual this man was.
You simply knew that what he was saying was the reality. Whether or not he was speaking about how he stood up for his good buddy, Ron Love, or if he was speaking about how onerous he needed to battle to get his professional card, you simply knew that he was telling you the unfettered reality. This was a competitor that turned professional not simply as soon as, however twice. He was somebody that didn’t complain and labored onerous daily of his life. He was someone that didn’t perceive giving up and was definitely by no means going to stroll down that highway. If he wished one thing dangerous sufficient, he was going to get it and it didn’t matter what he needed to do or how lengthy he needed to wait.
In our interview, Mike talked about coaching together with his dad in highschool. He hailed from Brockton Massachusetts, one of many hardest locations to develop up within the nation. It was a city that bred champions. And it was a spot the place he felt at residence. We’re speaking about blue-collar Americana to the core. There was no bullshit when it got here to this neighborhood and the truth that he got here from there most undoubtedly had a lifelong contribution on his profession.
Whether or not he was doing a visitor posing look, or chatting with {a magazine}, or just chatting with a fan, he was at all times about telling the reality. It didn’t matter What the results had been. Mike would at all times inform you the best way that it was. And he lived as much as that repute to the fullest extent doable. After we did this interview not solely did I get to satisfy Mike and discuss to him, nevertheless it was the start of a wonderful friendship that lasted a few years.
As of late I’ve not been doing contest protection, however I additionally haven’t heard of him making any appearances, both. The final time I noticed him must be 2019 however each time we noticed one another, we at all times reminisced about that go to again in 2015 once I bought to satisfy Mike, his mother, and his dad. His dad was an absolute warrior. I bear in mind he was shirtless and had abs and definition in his shoulders and pecs. This man each bit a bodybuilder as his son. This was a household that beloved health.
Mike’s sister Kellie was additionally an completed athlete and rose the ranks of the newbie league. She might have gone professional and acquired a lion’s share of press as Mike was personally coaching her by way of her preps. I bear in mind speaking to him about her at size and him telling me concerning the nice stage of potential she had. He was so happy with her and the remainder of his household. You simply actually bought a really sturdy really feel for this superb champion’s character. There was no Mike on digital camera and a Mike off digital camera. It was Mike 24/7. And that’s why I believe so many individuals recognized with him. There was nothing set-up about him. He was as actual as they got here.
And this is the reason the magazines adored him. Any time he was on the quilt of {a magazine} it at all times bought out. And that is additionally why the WBF scouted him as aggressively as they did. He was making one thing alongside the strains of $300,000 a 12 months and was a focal member of the squad. He was throughout their publications, their media efforts, and promotional campaigns. Folks wished to be round Mike as a result of he was harmful.
Mike wasn’t harmful as a result of he was loopy. He was harmful as a result of he was actual. For as a lot as they attempt to make him out to be the dangerous boy bodybuilding that was a time period that he took and ran with, nevertheless it actually didn’t described him precisely. He was harmful as a result of there was no filter in him. He was not an actor or a poser and other people appreciated that about him.
Mike believed in giving the followers what they wished. You’ll by no means see him visitor pose im a half hearted form of manner. He put nice thought into his posing routines and he would go to into the viewers and he’d at all times pose for images. He was very a lot on high of the world doing what he beloved. If a promoter employed Mike to visitor pose, he made certain the promoter bought cash’s price. So many opponents merely arrive to choose up the test after which drag ass across the stage. That was not Mike.
When my entrance, Kevin Grech of Evolution Of Bodybuilding let me learn about Mike’s passing, he requested if he may use our basic interview, and I in fact gave him the greenlight. He stated it was the most effective interview of him he’d ever seen. To begin with I can’t thank Kevin sufficient for the praise and second of all I have to say that I’ve heard many individuals say that as properly. Whereas Mike did interviews with RX, MD, and different publications, the interview that we did collectively had a really uncooked unfiltered vibe, despite the fact that it was edited from the unique. I’m so blissful that I used to be capable of give folks a fuller understanding of a real bodybuilding legend.
And what actually breaks my coronary heart is that Mike by no means really had a retirement. He was by no means capable of retire on stage the best way a legend of his stature deserves. He was by no means capable of give a speech or do a number of final pictures for the followers.
Mike’s passing is unquestionably a tragedy. I hope that folks will proceed to recollect him for all of his many achievements and for his on unforgiving honesty. He by no means meant to harm anybody, however he definitely wasn’t going to sugarcoat the previous in an effort to get some pats on the again. That’s simply not how he was wired. Whether or not he was speaking about Phil Hill or Gary Strydom, he didn’t maintain again. He might not have been right, however he informed it prefer it was based mostly on his finest recollection of the issues at hand. That’s who Mike Quinn was and that’s how Mike Quinn must be remembered.
I’m really saddened by the lack of such an ideal bodybuilding celebrity. I’ll at all times bear in mind you my buddy. Relaxation in peace.
