Dorian Yates - Puerto Banus

Six Time Mr Olympia

Dorian Yates is a former English professional bodybuilder. However, he’s not just a typical bodybuilder. Yates is a six-time Mr Olympia winner, a title he claimed consecutively between the years of 1992 to 1997.

He’s known as one of the largest professional bodybuilders in the world, which led him to earn his nickname “Shadow”.

The Road to Mr Olympia

As a teenager living in Birmingham, Yates found himself in lots of trouble. As a result, he was sentenced to six months in the Whatton Youth Detention Centre. During his time there, Dorian became known as the strongest and most fit inmate in the facility.

This newfound identity helped him become more confident and desire a better life. Needless to say, his brief time at Whatton was the wake-up call he needed, and it put him on the road to becoming Mr Olympia.

Remembering the Old Days

During this interview, Dorian Yates takes a stroll through Puerto Banus, which is an area that he once frequented when he didn’t have a car or know his way around. He speaks openly about his party days before meeting his wife Glauce “Gal” Ferreira.

At one point in time, Dorian’s marriage was on the rocks, his nephew passed away, and his career was over. All of the tragedies he faced led him to a life of partying and  “crazy” living. Yates feels that sometimes it takes a crisis for a person to grow.

But as a result of the challenges he faced, it led him to spirituality. Dorian Yates says he doesn’t regret his past because it helped him become more balanced, and he doesn’t feel as if he missed out on anything.

Dorian Yates Now

As much as Yates loves Puerto Banus, it’s not as enticing for him as it once was. He occasionally visits the area with his wife, but these days he’s more of a “stay at home” kind of guy.

Dorian tells Brian that he likes to do activities in the daytime, and he doesn’t drink much. He’d rather get endorphins the natural way because he feels better about himself when he does.

Dorian continues the interview by saying he feels like a normal guy. He says he has “niche” fame, and the people that know him are familiar with the gym world. Besides that, he can walk down the street, and no one knows who he is.

He often wonders why people stare at him until he realises that some people actually recognise him. On the other hand, Yates says he’s glad he can walk down the street without being harassed. He believes that would be a nightmare!

However, Mr Olympia is humble, and he understands it when people idolise him and are happy to meet him. He says that although he’s achieved something great, he’s still human and has flaws and bad days like everyone else.