Bodybuilder Sadik Hadzovic talks about the ‘dark side’ of his steroid cycle – Fitness Volt

Sadik Hadzovic is preparing to return to the stage mr. Olympia this year, assuming he qualifies in an upcoming bodybuilding program. In a recent YouTube video, Hadzovic talked about the “dark side” of his steroid cycle.

Sadik Hadzovic’s bodybuilding career has been full of great achievements. Although he has proven to be a dominant competitor on stage, Hadzovic’s appearances have been scattered over the years. With that in mind, fans are looking forward to seeing him compete once again after his phenomenal win at the 2022 Pittsburgh Pro and third place at the New York Pro.

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Sadik Hadzovic opens up about the ‘dark side’ of his steroid cycles

Although he eventually resigned from Mr. 2022 Olympia, Sadik Hadzovic has made it very clear that he intends to take the stage this year. However, Hadzovic must qualify first, setting his sights on the upcoming Tampa Pro 2024, which takes place this August.

Meanwhile, Sadik Hadzovic posted a video on YouTube where he talked about not only his steroid use, but how it has had negative effects on him.

To start the video, Hadzovic discussed how many times he has used steroids throughout his career. He also revealed that he found it difficult to talk about steroids because of the stigma surrounding performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).

“My first Olympia was in 2013, I think. So I’ve been using anabolic steroids on and off about 20 different times, maybe 25 times, for about a three-month period at a time.

So like for me it’s on the same level as like a creatine or an amino acid, it’s just man, it’s really hard to talk about that. People don’t talk about this shit. I even feel weird saying it because society has made it like you don’t talk about it.”

Given how taboo PEDs are today, Hadzovic admires the ease with which bodybuilders in the 1970s talked about their use of the equipment. He also emphasizes how steroids are a tool, but they are not useful unless you are willing to train hard and get in shape.

“I’m actually very impressed with the 70s guys because they would talk about it a lot. Although it wasn’t illegal at the time, at that time it was like I’m talking about now, it’s a tool.

Sure, it’s a tool, but it’s not this extraordinary tool that will add 30 pounds of muscle tissue without you training hard. If you don’t have the discipline to get in shape without it, you definitely won’t be in shape with it.”

Sadik Hadzovic shares that he turned pro without using steroids. While she was modeling, she would use Clenbuterol and expressed how being in magazines used to be a big deal, but now it’s not as common anymore.

“I went Pro without using anabolic steroids. I made it to Olympia without using anabolic steroids. I would only use clenbuterol which is labeled as a steroid, but more so a fat burner, I think it’s an asthma drug,” Hadzovic said.

“Clenbuterol was something I would take for all my photo shoots if I had to get in shape for a magazine cover, at that time, magazines were like shit. If you’re in a magazine you’re a fucking man. There aren’t many posts these days.”

Unfortunately, using PEDs is not always easy. For Sadik Hadzovic, he has suffered the negative side effects of steroid use, including panic attacks and extreme mood swings.

“The most important thing was that my mentality was different [from steroids] and not so much in a good way because then I started having panic attacks from time to time.

Every now and then I would really get hyper aggressive or hyper happy. So, you are facing these extreme mood swings. You are amplifying every aspect of your being, including the negative parts of yourself.”

Hadzovic always incorporates an on/off schedule for steroid use and stresses that he doesn’t need to stay in competitive shape year-round.

“Steroids are not a joke even though I talk about them openly, it really is something, they call it the dark side. If I’m on for 16 weeks, I’m off for 16 weeks. I don’t cruise, I don’t do TRT. I don’t engage in a bridge cycle.”

“When I go out, I go out. I think that’s how I respond best. Use, use, use and then stop. I don’t really want or feel the need to stay in contest-ready shape all the time between shows.”

Considering the alarming rate of bodybuilders dying recently, fans have come to appreciate athletes who are willing to talk about their use. The sport has been plagued with athletes dying at a young age and many individuals speculate that PED use played a role. This includes the death of the late George Peterson, whose autopsy report revealed that steroids were a contributing factor in his death.

Regardless of the drawbacks, athletes continue to use PEDs. Sadik Hadzovic is honest about how steroids play a role in his physique, which helps remind the younger generation what is possible on a natural or enhanced level.

To watch Sadik Hadzovic’s full video, click the link below:

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