Rachel McLish reveals more about Matt Mendenhall’s final days.
Rachel McLish talked to Matt Mendenhall just days before his death. She revealed the trauma he was enduring after having major surgery.
The death of Matt Mendenhall shocked the bodybuilding world. Matt passed away on 28 August, 2021 at the age of 61.
Read More: Matt Mendenhall dies at 61
Matt was one of the most loved bodybuilders in the history of the sport. Regarded as having one of the best bodybuilders ever, Matt had a lot of respect from everybody in the sport.
Unfortunately Matt never earned his pro card, but that did not stop him from having a very successful career in the bodybuilding and fitness industry.
One person that knows Matt very well is Rachel McLish. At one point, Matt and Rachel were the hottest couple around. Matt was the good looking guy with a fantastic physique, while Rachel was one of the most beautiful athletes in the industry, plus a two time Ms. Olympia winner.
Even when they went their separate ways, they remained very close friends, till the day Matt died.
In a long post on her official Facebook page, Rachel wanted to set the record straight about some of the rumors being spread after Matt’s death.
As usual, after a bodybuilders passes away, many will speculate if the person died due to the use of steroids. Rachel clarifies this and reveals how Matt felt about using steroids during his life.
Rachel explains, “I also noticed speculation as to why or how he died so young and I can say for sure that the cause was NOT because he took or was taking anabolic drugs; he considered (as I did!) anabolic use to be a curse, but a necessary evil in the sport in order to compete. In fact, he hated having to use them and was the primary reason he exited the sport he loved so much.“
If Matt took a different path during his competitive career, he possibly could have dominated the sport, but according to Rachel, he remained a step behind.
As well, Rachel revealed that Matt was accident prone. She explained in detail all his unfortunate accidents during his life.
Rachel was with Matt during some of his toughest moments and continues to give details, Matt was also a bit ‘accident prone’, he nearly lost his arm (shattered, compound forearm break nearly severed off!) when the pole broke mid-air as the teen Ohio State Pole Vaulting champ. A bad car accident in L.A. (he was broadsided, full impact),. He had a bike path accident when his front wheel got stuck in a crack in the concrete while he was going pretty fast (I looked behind me because I had ‘lost’ him only to turn around and find him writhing in pain). A young person can usually bounce back from these mishaps i.e., until they show up later in life on x-rays, which brings me to the more mature, aged Matt, and his most recent accident in 2014 when he slipped on the basement steps.”
Matt suffered some serious injuries when he slipped down the basement steps in 2014. Matt had to have three major surgeries, with the third just weeks before he passed away.
Matt had to have 23 segments of his spine fused, all at once with titanium rods. After the surgery, Rachel revealed in a conversation she had with Matt that he was in a lot of pain.
Matt admitted in his conversation with Rachel that he is taking a lot of pain medication and they are really making him tired.
Matt also was also very frustrated that he could not continue helping people or in his own words, “Doing God’s healing work” as a chiropractor due to his injuries.
It has been alleged that Matt’s cause of death was due to his recent operation or the negative effects of the heavy medication that he was consuming.
Whatever the cause, the world has lost a great person, who was loved by everybody he met.
Below is the entire post by Rachel McLish and her final conversation with Matt.
“I was shocked and saddened when I opened FB late last night to hear of Matt’s passing. For all of us who were lucky enough to be his friend, we loved him mostly for his kind heart, his generosity, his sweet nature, and of course his sense of humor. There is so much to say about Matt, and it’s all good! Those who knew or saw him through the magazines or in person instantly realized that this guy was special and his physicality was out of this world. Truly gifted in the genetics dept.! As I scrolled to read the heartfelt tributes, I also noticed speculation as to why or how he died so young and I can say for sure that the cause was NOT because he took or was taking anabolic drugs; he considered (as I did!) anabolic use to be a curse, but a necessary evil in the sport in order to compete. In fact, he hated having to use them and was the primary reason he exited the sport he loved so much. But of course he never stopped training and went on to create a thriving chiropractic practice which he loved. But another thing, Matt was also a bit ‘accident prone;’ he nearly lost his arm (shattered, compound forearm break nearly severed off!) when the pole broke mid-air as the teen Ohio State Pole Vaulting champ; a bad car accident in L.A. (he was broadsided, full impact); a bike path accident when his front wheel got stuck in a crack in the concrete while he was going pretty fast (I looked behind me because I had ‘lost’ him only to turn around and find him writhing in pain). A young person can usually bounce back from these mishaps i.e., until they show up later in life on x-rays…which brings me to the more mature, aged Matt, and his most recent accident in 2014. He had contacted me during this time period to discuss and ask me about my own spinal cord neck surgery; who were my doctors, the method, his injuries, his surgeries, his doctors, etc. The following are HIS WORDS only days before his death. In the weeks prior to this exchange, Matt was in ICU following a highly invasive spinal surgery. (to those interested in the entire recent conversation, I attached it). THIS is what he was enduring and suffering. I believe this also shows the special friendship we shared. Rest easy dear Matt…I know you are with our Lord……….” – Rachel McLish
Matt Mendenhall’s final conversation with Rachel McLish before he passed away
MATT: Now I’m frustrated! I was hoping to work another 10 years. It never once felt like work. Doing Gods healing work never does, I loved helping others get out of pain.
I was very good at it!
Let’s chat again soon!!! XOX
Thanks Rachel, I know I get impatient with my recovery. It’s just frustrating being my 3rd surgery. Been going through this since 2014 when I slipped on my basement steps.
The surgeon was right when he said this would be the toughest recovery. Fusing 23 segments all at once with titanium rods!
I know the pain meds are necessary, but they make me so tired.
Oh well, one day at a time, right!
Thanks, I needed that reminder!
I needed that!!!
In the Lords name, help me be still…
Amen!”
