{"id":8796,"date":"2026-01-12T04:08:33","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T04:08:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=8796"},"modified":"2026-01-12T04:08:33","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T04:08:33","slug":"the-mike-ohearn-show-how-the-pnba-inba-treats-natural-bodybuilding-as-an-olympic-sport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=8796","title":{"rendered":"The Mike O’Hearn Show: How the PNBA\/INBA Treats Natural Bodybuilding as an Olympic Sport"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The PNBA\/INBA aims to mesh competitive bodybuilding with a healthy lifestyle. <\/p>\n

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Last updated on August 9th, 2023<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n

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The largest natural bodybuilding<\/a> federation \u2014 the Professional and International Natural Bodybuilding Association<\/a>\u00a0(PNBA\/INBA), founded by Denny and Diana Kakos \u2014 is implementing changes for the sport. On the June 16, 2023, episode of The Mike O\u2019Hearn Show <\/em><\/a>on the Generation Iron <\/em><\/a>YouTube channel, the Kakos addressed what they\u2019re doing to make bodybuilding 100-percent drug tested<\/strong>. They also discuss the future of the sport, including potential entry into the Olympics. Check it out below:<\/p>\n

Mike O\u2019Hearn is often a controversial figure in the sport of bodybuilding. Although he claims to be all-natural (i.e., he has not and does not use steroids), many sources have questioned his natural-or-not status, including a live interview with influencer KENNYKO<\/a> that devolved into O\u2019Hearn comparing KENNYKO\u2019s physique to O\u2019Hearn\u2019s wife, bodybuilder Mona Muresan, rather than directly answering KENNYKO\u2019s question of \u201cnatural or not.\u201d The interview went viral, and O\u2019Hearn subsequently addressed it on an episode of The Mike O\u2019Hearn Show<\/em>.<\/p>\n

While it isn\u2019t a secret that elite bodybuilders in the IFBB are enhanced (i.e., take steroids), there isn\u2019t anything inherently wrong with that. Many elite bodybuilders are open about the drugs they use and how they use them \u2014 Hunter Labrada<\/a> stated that steroids \u201cgreatly enhance your recovery capabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n

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[Related: Men\u2019s Open Competitor Martin Fitzwater Details the Financial Cost of Being a Pro Bodybuilder<\/a>]<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

PNBA\/INBA\u2019s Intense Drug Testing Protocol\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Kakos discussed how they used to test for anabolic steroids and banned performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). They experimented with polygraph tests, which took upwards of an hour and a half for each competitor. It often took three days to test an entire athlete roster.<\/p>\n

The Kakos strive to shift bodybuilding to become an all-natural sport to even the playing field on stage \u2014 as enhanced athletes have an advantage over those who are not. The Kakos used approved labs for 23 years for drug testing in the PNBA\/INBA, testing more athletes than the NFL<\/a>\u00a0or the\u00a0UFC<\/a>. All PNBA\/INBA competitors are tested through the drug testing guidelines of the World Anti-Doping Agency<\/a> (WADA).\u00a0<\/p>\n

When an athlete tests positive for steroids, the Kakos issue sanctions and place the athlete in the \u201cHall of Shame,\u201d a way to chagrin an athlete in the public eye. Those athletes are banned from competing and stripped of any prize money won in PNBA\/INBA competition.<\/p>\n

The PNBA\/INBA has a zero-tolerance policy regarding substance use. Very few medical exceptions are made, and a committee oversees those that are. Even bodybuilders who want to have children and need fertility drugs have to take time off from competing in the PNBA\/INBA.<\/p>\n

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[Related: Who Is the Strongest Mr. Olympia Winner?<\/a>]<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Mike O\u2019Hearn on Natural Bodybuilding<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Kakos comment on Mike O\u2019Hearn being the \u201cGod of natural bodybuilding.\u201d To this day, O\u2019Hearn claims to be and has always been a natural bodybuilder. In his opinion, it\u2019s unrealistic to take PEDs through all of adulthood without consequences, as drugs are typically tapered off once ailments are healed or the intended results of the drugs\u2019 use are achieved.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t be gassed out of your mind as a teenager or in your early 20s and assume that you get to keep that until you\u2019re almost 60,\u201d O\u2019Hearn said. \u201cIt just doesn\u2019t work that way\u2026You can\u2019t take something like [steroids] for 45 years. The body doesn\u2019t work that way. Drugs don\u2019t work that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Natural Bodybuilding Shows\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The PNBA\/INBA has several prominent bodybuilding shows remaining in 2023. The Natural Universe competition will be held in October in Romania. It is a qualifier for the Natural Olympia, the premier natural bodybuilding stage. The 2023 Natural Olympia<\/a> will be held in Las Vegas, NV, on Nov. 8-12. 2023, less than one week after the Olympia in Orlando, FL.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Denny Kakos\u2019 main goal is to make bodybuilding an Olympic sport while blending it with a healthy lifestyle. Diana Kakos and O\u2019Hearn share Denny\u2019s sentiments. They want to see natural Masters competitors in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s compete in events without the use of steroids. O\u2019Hearn implores those who want to compete in PNBA\/INBA competition to follow their rules.<\/p>\n

Featured image: @mikeohearn on Instagram<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n