In the ever-evolving world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the pursuit of excellence often comes with sacrifices, and for some, the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) has become an increasingly debated topic. Recent discussions by experts like Dr. Mike Israetel, coupled with the experiences of elite athletes such as ADCC silver medalist Vagner Rocha and decorated champion Gordon Ryan, have cast a spotlight on the profound implications of PED use—not just on athletic performance, but also on longevity.
The Science: PEDs and Longevity
Dr. Mike Israetel, a BJJ black belt and exercise scientist, recently sat down with Chris Williamson to delve into the health consequences of PED use. He outlined three critical mechanisms by which PEDs can impact longevity:
- Heart Health:
“They’re growing your heart muscle in a way that makes your heart worse at pumping blood,” Dr. Israetel explained. This hypertrophy of the heart muscle can lead to inefficiencies and long-term cardiovascular issues. - Cholesterol and Arteries:
“They are consistently presenting you with cholesterol levels that do nothing good for your arteries,” he noted, emphasizing the risks of arteriosclerosis and other vascular conditions. - Elevated Blood Pressure:
Chronic high blood pressure, another consequence of PED use, adds strain on the cardiovascular system, further compounding health risks.
While these effects are well-documented, Dr. Israetel emphasized that individual outcomes can vary. “If you happen to have used lots of ster*ids, but you kept most of your health values in check…you’re probably looking at less than five years off your lifespan on average,” he said. However, body mass—regardless of its composition—can exacerbate these risks. Using himself as an example, he remarked, “I’m 5’6″, and I currently weigh 235 pounds… Carrying extra mass forces the heart to work harder, potentially contributing to health issues.”
Vagner Rocha: A Wake-Up Call
The discussion around PEDs and longevity comes on the heels of Vagner Rocha’s recent health scare. The 42-year-old grappler, who earned a silver medal at the 2022 ADCC facing Mica Galvao, was hospitalized for five days after being diagnosed with heart failure. Reflecting on his journey, Rocha shared:
“Now I am on the road of recovery, taking one day at a time and keeping monitoring my heart.”
Rocha’s case highlights the potential dangers associated with PEDs, especially for athletes who rely on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) as they age. In 2022, Rocha openly discussed his use of TRT:
“I am about to turn 41 years old, and I have been competing at the top of grappling for over a decade. I have no shame to say I am on TRT replacement for my body in accordance to a doctor.”
For Rocha, TRT may have been a way to maintain competitiveness in a physically demanding sport, but his hospitalization serves as a sobering reminder of the risks.
Gordon Ryan: Legacy Over Longevity
While athletes like Rocha grapple with the health repercussions of PEDs, Gordon Ryan takes a contrasting stance, embracing the risks in pursuit of greatness. Known for his dominance on the mats and his polarizing opinions, Ryan has been unapologetically open about his PED use.
“Even if it were to take 20 years off of my life, I wouldn’t regret doing the things that I’ve done to become the greatest of all time in this sport,” Ryan declared. “Because ultimately, when I die, my legacy is what’s going to be remembered.”
For Ryan, the trade-off is clear: success and legacy outweigh the potential consequences to his health. He further elaborated, “I would rather die with a legacy at 50 years old than just be a normal guy dying at 70 or 80 years old. That’s not a sacrifice that people are willing to make, and that’s why they’re not Gordon Ryan.”
The Debate: PEDs as Tools or Crutches?
Despite his endorsement of PEDs as a means to maximize athletic potential, Ryan insists they are not the sole determinant of his success.
“Do you need steroids to be the best athlete in the world? No, I don’t think so,” he asserted. “I think that I could have done all this natural, and I could have been the best in the world without steroids.” However, he acknowledged their undeniable benefits: “What I do believe is that you need steroids to be the best version of yourself as an athlete. That’s just a fact. They’re performance-enhancing drugs. You’re always going to be better as an athlete taking steroids than you would be if you weren’t.”
Ryan’s introduction to PEDs began in 2017 after he won the EBI 11 title at 170 pounds and decided to move into heavier weight classes. “My first introduction to PEDs, steroids, whatever we’re gonna call them, was after I had won EBI at 170… After that, I started going up in weight and getting to a higher weight class,” he explained.
The Price of Greatness
Ryan’s comments reflect a mindset prevalent among elite athletes: the willingness to push physical boundaries for the sake of excellence. However, his perspective contrasts sharply with the cautionary tales of others in the grappling community, such as Rocha, whose health struggles underscore the potential costs of such choices.
As PEDs remain a controversial yet integral part of high-level grappling, the conversation around their use continues to evolve. For athletes like Gordon Ryan, the choice is clear:
“I’m not going to do things where I’m cheating. I’m not going to grease and things like that, but these [PEDs] aren’t illegal. So I’m gonna do everything that I can to be the best athlete that I can be.”
The debate over PEDs in BJJ ultimately boils down to a personal decision—one that weighs legacy against longevity, greatness against health. For some, like Ryan, the pursuit of immortality in the annals of sport outweighs the risks, while for others, like Rocha, the focus shifts to recovery and reflection.
In a world where the line between peak performance and personal sacrifice is razor-thin, the question remains: how far are you willing to go for greatness?
Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: you can be slow and unathletic and still kick butt in Jiu-Jitsu.
