The bodybuilding and fitness world is in mourning after the larger-than-life Venice Beach icon, 'Big' Craig Monson, bid his final goodbye to the world on March 10.

On March 11, an Instagram post from RxMuscle publicized the demise of the 75-year-old. However, the specific reason behind his death wasn't revealed.

The caption to the Instagram post read, "One of the LARGEST (and true "street bodybuilders" from the 80's) and a staple of Gold's/Muscle Beach Venice, "BIG" Craig Monson has passed away at the age of 75."

It also disclosed Monson's influence on bodybuilding fans of the "80s," stating, "One of the true physical specimens from the 80's era, who gained worldwide popularity around the world for his sheer freakish size, Monson would often attract sizeable crowds on Venice Beach to watch him lift mammoth amounts of weight."

Monson proved himself as an amateur onstage and secured 12th place at the NPC USA in 1985. Although he never became a household name like Arnold Schwarzenegger or Ronnie Coleman, he was equally respected by fans and other fitness enthusiasts.

C. T. Ali Fletcher, a former bodybuilder, powerlifter, and media personality, described how he was once freaked out by Monson's massive stature during his appearance on an episode of The F’Yall Podcast.

He said, “I used to go to Gold's Gym, and then one day, strolling down the Venice Beach boardwalk, I see a giant crowd gathered around. And it was one person standing in the middle of that crowd. And the closer I got to the person in the middle of the crowd, the bigger that m*********** got."

Fletcher continued, “And that was just my whole perspective on weightlifting changed that day". Such was Monson's influence on other bodybuilders.

However, the physique did not develop overnight. Instead, Monson had to defeat several odds to become the legend he is remembered as.

Craig Monson’s Journey Into Bodybuilding

Monson’s love of the sport started at a young age when he started taking his weekly allowance to purchase Iron Man muscle magazine, featuring legendary bodybuilders of that time.

While living in South Central Los Angeles, Monsoon was inspired by pictures in magazines and later began drawing bodybuilders and powerful warriors.

Seeing his determination, his mother bought him a set of weights that included an iron bar and cement-filled plates when he was 13. With those weights, Monsoon started working out every day, and his body also responded quickly.

By 16, Monsoon’s muscular appearance and toned physique began to turn heads at his school and in the neighborhood. However, his life took an untoward turn as he grew up. His association with a Los Angeles street gang known as The Avenue landed him in p***** several times.

However, Monson used his untoward experiences to get better, and bodybuilding was the way he chose. By 1980, he had become completely involved in the Venice Beach bodybuilding community, training with top-tier stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Soon, he started participating in amateur bodybuilding events around LA and gradually became an iconic figure in the Venice Beach scene, and the rest is history.

During this critical time, the Bodybuilding Bros team extends its condolences to Monson’s family and friends.

Written by

Supradeep Dutta

Edited by

Souvik Roy