Rich Piana is probably the most well-known man in bodybuilding, thanks to his massive frame and distinctive features.
Although he was admired by many, others were critical of him. His raw and surprising opinions split the fitness world.
To call the Rich Piana story insane is a massive understatement–here’s the whole uncensored truth–including his untimely death.
Rich Piana Wiki
Age at death: 46 (died 25th August 2017).
Date of birth: 26 September 1970
Height: 6’0″ (183 cm).
Weight: pounds ( kg).
Profession: Actor, bodybuilder, entrepreneur, and social media star.
Nationality: American.
Nickname: One day you may and Mr. 5%.
Rich Piana
Richard Eugene Piana was a Glendale, California native, born in 1970. He was American, but his father and mother were both Armenian- and Italian-American.
Born in Sacramento, Rich Piana was an early introduction into the world of fitness. He was just six years old when he began to go to the gym with his mother to see her training for bodybuilding contests.
Rich Piana was already lifting weights at the age of 11 thanks to Bill Cambra, an old-time bodybuilder. He began competing at age 15 and won his first Mr. In 1989, Teen California.
Alarmingly, he was already on a Deca Durabolin and testosterone cycle at such a young age.
Rich Piana was a competitor for more than 25 years, although his participation on the stage was only intermittent. His time was spent on other things, such as TV and movie appearances and running his own clothing and supplement business. He also became a social media personality.
Rich Piana’s YouTube channel is what brought him international fame. His controversial views on steroids went viral, drawing praise and criticism at the same time.
Rich Piana was mysteriously killed on August 25, 2017. He was still in a relationship at the time with Chanel Jansen.
Rich Piana Net Worth
Rich Piana’s net worth is estimated to be around $3.7 Million at the time of his passing.
How Rich Piana became famous
Rich Piana began posting to his YouTube channel in 2011.
His first video was titled Interview with Hot Chick that Beat up a Guy at Gold’s Gym Parking Lot. His earlier posts were often focused on this glamorous, macho (though not necessarily sexist) theme.
Rich Piana’s videos featured him with supercars and hot girls (his words), along with sexy bikinis. There was also plenty of swearing and brospeak.
His popularity grew quickly.
These online subscribers wanted to learn more about Rich Piana. Rich Piana began to take viewers through his day, tattoos, and training routines. He also shared his thoughts about bodybuilding and general training.
His fame soared when he started to spread his belief in, and use, steroids.
Although he was not the first to use ‘roids, it is true that he was not the only bodybuilder to do so. Rich Piana was unique because he was so open about his use of ‘roids. He shared the stacks and cycles he used, but didn’t condemn their use. He even gave tips for how to take them.
Rich Piana is no longer with us, but his YouTube channel still has more than one million subscribers.
Rich Piana Death
Rich Piana wasn’t feeling well. He’d been feeling nauseated and short of breath for a few days. He attributed the symptoms to overtraining.
Rich Piana then collapsed at his home on the 7th August 2017.
Chanel Jansen was his girlfriend at the time. She was unable to revive him so she dialled 911. The operator then explained how to do CPR.
The paramedics arrived ten minutes later and discovered that his heart was not working properly. The paramedics tried to get his heart back into function, but it took them around 30 minutes. Brain damage was inevitable because there was not enough oxygen.
Paramedics discovered a straw, white powder, and a credit card on a nearby table. Narcan was administered to him in an attempt to treat a drug overdose. Jansen claimed that this powder contained only pure caffeine, which Piana would then snort to get ready for a workout.
Rich Piana was put in an induced state to reduce swelling. Rich Piana died 14 days later.
The autopsy was not conclusive.
The test did show that his liver and heart were twice as large as a normal adult male, which is a common side effect of taking steroid.
The exact reason Rich Piana died has not been determined. Many conspiracy theories have been raised about foul play.
These are the inconsistencies that suspect fans bring up:
* The autopsy was not a toxicology study.
* The medical examiner did not receive any toxicology information regarding the time he was in coma.
* All specimens that could have been used today for toxicological analysis were destroyed.
Rich Piana Relationships: Divorce and Wedding
Debra Jane was the first Rich Piana woman to marry. Unfortunately, she found out that he was having an affair. They divorced.
Rich Piana had a long-lasting relationship with Chanel Jansen, a model for many years. However, this ended when he met Sara Heimisdottir.
He married an Icelandic bodybuilder in 2015. It was an amazing ceremony. (You can see the wedding video and you will see that you were invited only if your weight exceeded 200 pounds).
Martyn Ford, a British bodybuilding star, was also the “vicar” for this event. The bizarre Rich Piana wedding can be viewed here.
The marriage was annulled a year later. Rich Piana accused Heimisdottir, a crack addict, of marrying him only to get American citizenship.
He rekindled his relationship with Chanel Jansen who was still with him at his time of death.
Rich Piana Tattoos
Rich is well-known for his tattooed body. These meanings are:
* Don’t let yourself be trapped or restricted by spider webs on your elbows and shoulders.
* Revenge on the right arm – if someone treats you badly, they must pay them back.
* Respect on the left arm–both give respect and receive it
* Gun on the right arm–payback for Rich Piana.
* Pride and power on the triceps–the basis of his training philosophy.
* Biohazard on his neck – His heavy use of steroids made him poisonous.
* Tribal pitbull-he loves this breed (he has three).
* One Day You May on chest -his nickname that alludes to his brand of 5%
Rich Piana walks you through his tattoos.
Rich Piana’s Workout Program
Rich Piana trained hard to attain perfect proportion and symmetry while he was training for competition.
In later years, however, he proved to be more versatile. He lifted more weight for bulk and mass, but he often forgot his legs. He would often switch to another exercise if he didn’t feel the pump after one exercise.
Here is a typical example from his bodybuilding competition training:
Monday–Legs
1. Leg curling machine 4 sets, 10 reps
2. Set of 4 isolated one-leg curl machines – 10 reps
3. Deadlift with stiff legs 4 sets 12 reps
4. Leg extensions 4 sets, 15 reps
5. Barbell squats 4 sets 15 reps
6. Leg press 4 sets of 10 reps
7. Hack squats 4 sets 12 reps
Rich Piana guides you through a squat exercise:
Tuesday–Chest
1. Barbell press (incline) 5 sets 10 reps
2. Flat bench barbell press 4 sets 15 reps
3. Cable fly 5 sets of 15 reps
Wednesday–Shoulders
1. Dumbbell lateral raise 4 sets 15 reps
2. Machine shoulder press 5 sets, 12 reps
3. Do 5 sets of reverse fly 10 reps
4. Machine trap raise 5 sets 12 reps
5. 5 sets of 15 reps for the Barbell Front Trap Raising 5 Sets
Rich Piana is in total beast mode, working his shoulders.
Thursday–Arms
1. Four sets of 15 repetitions for one-arm cable bicep curls
2. Dumbbell bicep curls 5 sets 12 repetitions
3. Four sets of 15 reverse flyes
4. Dumbbell curls (incline), 5 sets, 12 reps
5. Push-downs of the triceps from the seated position 4 sets, 12 reps
6. Overhead rope triceps – 4 sets 15 reps
7. 4 sets of 12 bench press (close grip)
Rich Piana talks about biceps growth and a crazy workout.
Friday–Back
1. Dolly row with dumbbells, one-arm. 4 sets of 15 reps
2. Dolly dumbbell rows for two-hand 4 sets, 12 reps
3. Reverse cable flye 5 sets 15 reps
4. Pull-downs for the lat 5 sets, 10 reps
5. T-Bar rows four sets of 15 reps
6. Bent-over barbell rows 4 sets 12 reps
Rich Piana Diet
Rich consumed between 5-10 meals per day, depending on his body’s needs at the time. Rich Piana’s authentic, high-calorie, and supplement-rich diet is here.
#1 Meal
* Four packets instant oatmeal
* 2 scoops of whey protein chocolate flavor.
Meal #2
* Six scoops mass-builder
* Two bananas.
* Peanut butter
* 2 scoops of whey protein chocolate flavor.
Meal #3
* Chicken breast.
* Two cups brown rice
#4 Meal
Meal #5
* Lean mince.
* Two cups rice
Meal #6
* Four cups Greek yogurt
* 2 scoops of whey protein chocolate flavor.
Meal #7
* Potatoes.
* Lamb or pork
* Green vegetables.
* One tub of ice-cream
You can see the main man guiding you through the Rich Piana diet.
Rich Piana Bodybuilding Career
Rich Piana’s bodybuilding career highlights: IFBB Mr. Teen California: Teen California NPC USA Championship, th Place NPC LA Championship, th Place NPC USA Championship, th Place NPC Nationals Overall Winner NPC Border States Classic st. NPC Border States Classic Heavyweight st. NPC Sacramento Championship
Rich Piana was on Steroids?
Yes, he did.
Rich Piana was aware that supplements were causing problems in his body, but he considered it a fair price to pay for the ability to look amazing and win contests. He said he had experienced hair loss and gynecomastia.
> > “I am 100% aware of the damage being done to my body. I made a decision and am ready to make it up.
He uploaded his most controversial YouTube video in 2013. It explained the best way to use synthetics–basically, don’t believe what you read on the internet–go out and experiment to see what works for you.
Here’s the video
/watch?v=j44rf3k0q7Y
He had however mellowed slightly by 2016, and he offered the following advice.
> “You have the option to take steroids or remain natural. Stay natural. Steroids are not a good idea. Steroids are harmful to your body and can even cause you harm.
Rich Piana before and after
Rich Piana began lifting at the age of 11.
His massive changes in his competitive days and later YouTube fame didn’t change that much. These two images are 20 years apart.
But what is perhaps more alarming, is his skull appearing to enlarge – possibly due to too much growth hormone.
Rich Piana Supplements
Rich Piana founded the supplement brand 5% Nutrition in 2014.1
He believed that:
> “The 5% represent those who are willing and able to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals.”
These Rich Piana supplements were promoted by him through his YouTube channel and Rich Piana Instagram accounts, until his passing.
His face and reputation were still used to market the brand, despite his death. It currently sells gym apparel, supplements, and even:
* BCAAs.
* Pre-workouts.
* Protein.
* Creatine.
* Nootropics.
* Keto products
Current 5% Nutrition ambassadors include Jens Dalsgaard, Paulo Almeida and Pedro Barron.
Rich Piana Quotes: Inspiration and Motivation
Rich Piana wasn’t one to sugarcoat his words. Here is his advice:
> “It will always come down to working hard and being consistent in order to succeed at all things in life!” There is no easy way!
I want you to do 100 reps every night before you go to sleep. Then, pump 100 reps and then get straight to bed. No fucking sex if you have a girlfriend or wife.
“The judgment day has arrived today, and the judgment day is upon us now. It will allow you to either live in hell or Heaven now. Live dangerously until you die.”
“Eat real fucking food, and train your sex off! Although it is not difficult, it can be hard work. It’s hard work, but it’s worth it.
Rich Piana Summary
Rich Piana might have been outspoken in his opinions, but you can’t accuse him being fake.
He lived, loved and advocated the extreme lifestyle. He believed in pushing the limits of everything, including women, diet, cars and training with steroids.
He was able to show that he was not afraid of hard work, with his amazing physique and highly successful supplement line.
Rich Piana might not be the guy your girlfriend would approve, but you would love him to be your bro.
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