Seven years in the past, Jeremy Buendia surprised the bodybuilding world when he introduced his break up from long-time coach Hany Rambod following the 2018 Olympia. The pair had achieved exceptional success on the time, securing 4 Men’s Physique Olympia titles. The abrupt separation was mysterious, leaving followers speculating the reason why.
In 2023, Buendia launched a heartfelt video, publicly apologizing for dealing with the break up and taking full duty for the fallout. But, unanswered questions lingered, and followers eagerly awaited Rambod’s perspective.
Lastly, on Jan. 1, 2025, the duo reunited on Rambod’s podcast to share their story. For the primary time, Rambod and Buendia addressed the occasions surrounding their fallout and revealed plans for his or her future collaboration.
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Rambod’s & Buendia’s Relationship
Rambod coached and mentored Buendia for six years earlier than their skilled relationship resulted in 2018. Throughout that point, Buendia earned the title “King of Males’s Physique,” a testomony to the powerhouse crew they fashioned collectively.
Reflecting on their journey, Rambod and Buendia mentioned how they capitalized on the alternatives introduced by the newly established Males’s Physique division. Rambod highlighted Buendia’s unwavering ardour and relentless drive, which performed a pivotal position in his success throughout the division.
“One factor I noticed about you was that you simply have been a bodybuilder who turned a Males’s Physique competitor. That was a part of your success,” Rambod mentioned.
Buendia acknowledged that whereas working with coach Rambod, he lacked the maturity to navigate the challenges that got here with success and fame. “I wasn’t mature sufficient to deal with the success, the celebrity, the cash. All of these issues. Even till we separated, I nonetheless really feel like my mindset was nonetheless younger, even at 27 years previous,” Buendia mentioned.
At age 34, Buendia acknowledged his actions and angle led to a tough and nearly destitute place in life. These round him sought to reap the benefits of his state of affairs. Buendia acknowledges that Rambod tried to protect him from all of it.
“I needed to undergo all the things I went by way of to be the person I’m right this moment. To be sitting with you proper now,” Buendia confessed. “I needed to undergo all these struggles, and it sucked. It actually did.”
Buendia Apologizes
Buendia shared that his relationship with Rambod went past the standard dynamic of coach and athlete. “For our relationship, I really feel that teaching was a really small a part of it. It was rather more a private relationship; it was household,” Buendia shared.
Buendia apologized to Rambod for pulling him away from his household, acknowledging that he had relied on his emotional assist all through his profession. “Cameron was born three months earlier than you signed me. The following six years, I required a lot of your consideration and power,” Buendia said. “I keep in mind calling you at midnight, pissed off or crying, whereas your spouse and son waited so that you can get off the cellphone with me. I’m sorry for that.”
The four-time Olympia champion admits he by no means really understood Rambod’s sacrifices to stability his profession and household — till he turned a father. “For me to know what I put you thru, I needed to have a household of my very own to essentially perceive that,” Buendia confided. “My household is an important factor to me. My youngsters are all the things to me.”
Buendia’s Erratic Habits & Substance Abuse
Buendia opened up concerning the emotional struggles he endured all through his profession, navigating a life overshadowed by immense hatred. “I lived with a lot hate in my coronary heart that it was inconceivable to maintain my head above water as a result of I used to be so stuffed with rage on a regular basis,” Buendia laid naked.
Buendia defined his intense anger even earlier than aggressive bodybuilding. He says it’s laborious to position all of the blame on steroids, although they didn’t assist. “I keep in mind one time after I was utilizing tren, and [Rambod] stepped in and mentioned, ‘You’ll want to cease that instantly.’”
Buendia mirrored on his final preparation and the way he managed it extra successfully than earlier than. He attributes the development to his private progress earlier than divulging his substance abuse struggles.
Buendia didn’t drink throughout the week or think about himself an alcoholic, however his weekends have been a unique story. He events, consumed “celebration medication,” and drank, a mixture that took a severe toll on his mental health. “I’d get that tremendous excessive from being tousled, and the next days, you simply crash,” Buendia described. “Your endorphins, your dopamine ranges simply crash. Including that to my already chemical imbalances that I’ve handled was only a recipe for catastrophe.”
Rambod’s Choice on Retiring From Teaching
Rambod shared the sacrifices he made for his family to assist his athletes. Upon listening to Rambod’s retirement announcement, Buendia admitted he felt genuinely completely happy for him. “I understand how essential your loved ones is to you, and I’m completely happy that you’ve got lastly reached some extent in your profession the place you’ll be able to take the time for your self and your loved ones. They deserve it. You deserve it.”
What Subsequent?
Buendia, aiming to return to the Olympia stage, acknowledged that 2025 could also be his closing yr competing. Whereas initially planning to seem on the 2025 Arnold Classic, an Achilles injury pressured him out. In the meantime, Rambod is transitioning from hands-on athlete teaching to sharing his experience with a worldwide viewers, broadening his impression.
The assembly between Rambod and Buendia was a second of reflection and determination. They addressed lingering tensions that had persevered for years, permitting each to confront previous errors and make amends.
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Featured picture: @jeremy_buendia on Instagram