RIP Luke Sandoe IFBB Pro

[hifrommike65]

Ten days ago, one of the elite bodybuilders in the IFBB Professional League died by his own hand. He appeared to have everything to live for: a family with two children and a promising future in the bodybuilding industry. He had just taken third place at the Arnold Classic in March. But Luke was troubled, and those close to him knew he had considered suicide. He was in therapy, but not on drugs prescribed to treat mental illness. He spoke of demons from his past, from well before he walked into a gym, but his friends have not revealed what those demons were—nor how he took his own life. The only thing I could find is that he was a “special needs” student who suffered from attention deficit disorder. Ben Chow, his workout partner and godparent to his son, said Luke felt suicide was his only option. That is heartbreaking, for Luke did not have to die at the age of 30.

Some have speculated about depression, childhood trauma, or unhappiness with some aspect of his life as reasons that drove Luke to end his life. Many in the bodybuilding world have angrily refused to consider bodybuilding drugs as a contributing factor in his death. I must say, though, everything pressing on a person unstable enough to consider suicide is a contributing factor in their decision to end their life. And the incredible stresses to the body and mind that any bodybuilder—much less an elite bodybuilder—must face, have to be considered.

I do not want to point fingers at anyone and claim they could have done something to reach Luke. I doubt anyone knew how much pain and anguish he was in. If someone is determined to die, they will find a way to do so. It is tragic that Luke felt he had to take his life to put an end to his demons. His death has already rocked the bodybuilding world. It has devastated those closest to him. I had no contact with Luke, but my longtime friend Gerry Triano communicated with Luke on Facebook and offered advice on stage presentation when Luke went pro. Every dedicated community is a small one at the deepest level of involvement. Luke’s demise will be felt in the bodybuilding world for some time. I know I will never forget him. This death should never have happened, but it did. And for that, I am profoundly sorry.