For Elliott Dermond, 2024 was supposed to be another milestone in his ascent through the competitive bodybuilding ranks. As one of the most promising amateurs in the NPC, Dermond has been on a path many dream of, with his sights firmly set on earning his IFBB Pro card. His dedication, discipline, and world class physique have earned him respect within the bodybuilding community, with many dubbing him as the next talent to come out of the NPC ranks who has the potential to stand among the greats.
But ambition, as Dermond himself acknowledges, comes with a price.
This week, Dermond took to Instagram to share a sobering update: his 2024 competition season is over. The reason? A harrowing health scare that forced him to confront the limits of his body in a way no athlete ever wants to.
At the start of the week, Dermond checked himself into the hospital after experiencing a cascade of alarming symptoms. His blood pressure was dangerously low. His heart rate refused to dip below 110 beats per minute for days. Chest pains, muscle spasms, and relentless fatigue left him struggling to breathe and unable to sleep. What he initially attributed to the rigors of contest prep revealed something far more serious.
Doctors discovered that Dermond had severe blood clots in both his lungs and heart—conditions that put his life at serious risk. Compounding this, he was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a condition where damaged muscle fibers release proteins into the bloodstream, potentially causing kidney failure. While Dermond had faced rhabdomyolysis three times before, this episode was different. It wasn’t the main problem—it was another complication in a storm of issues.
Reflecting on the moment, Dermond wrote, “For the first time in my life, rhabdo seemed like the ‘minor’ issue at hand.”
Dermond’s openness about his health struggles is as remarkable as his accomplishments. He admitted to mistakes—taking excessive doses of various compounds without his coach’s approval, overtraining, pushing cardio to extremes, and ignoring warning signs. These choices, he believes, contributed significantly to his current condition.
“I was taking far too much, and I don’t necessarily just mean AAS,” he shared. “I was trying products and compounds that I believed, and that medical professionals now believe, caused all this to happen.”
This honesty is a rare and courageous act in a sport that often glorifies pushing boundaries. Dermond’s transparency is not just a reflection on his own journey but a message to young athletes chasing the same dream: the basics work. The “next big thing” doesn’t always deliver on its promises, and the cost can be devastating.
Dermond’s story echoes a growing concern within bodybuilding. While the pursuit of peak physical performance has always been central to the sport, the culture of extremes has reached unprecedented levels. The emphasis on achieving perfection—whether through size, symmetry, or conditioning—often leads athletes to adopt practices that strain the body beyond its limits.
Performance-enhancing substances, grueling diets, and relentless training are part of the unspoken rulebook for many competitors. Social media exacerbates these pressures, amplifying the demand for results at any cost. As a result, athletes like Dermond, even with all their talent and potential, can find themselves caught in a cycle that prioritizes short-term gains over long-term health.
For Dermond, the decision to step back wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. His health—and his future—took precedence over the stage. “Something that will be there next year,” he reminded his followers, emphasizing that bodybuilding is a journey, not a sprint.
His message is clear: ambition should never overshadow health. And while his season may be over, his story isn’t. Dermond’s ability to confront his challenges with honesty and strength serves as a reminder that greatness isn’t just about victories—it’s about resilience, growth, and knowing when to pause.
As he recovers and reflects, Dermond’s journey remains one to watch. Not just for his undeniable potential as a future IFBB Pro, but for the way he’s reshaping what it means to be a champion in bodybuilding—both on and off the stage.
