In tandem with the widespread use of anabolic steroids over the last 20 years came another dubious phenomenon — the rise of the “Steroid Guru.” These are people who feel led by some sort of twisted reasoning to dispense information to athletes on how to use steroids and other drugs as well as where to procure them. Three of these most famous self-anointed ones are Bill Phillips, Dan Duchaine and Paul Borresen.
Phillips got the whole thing started back in the 1980s when he published and distributed his seminal book Anabolic Reference Guide, a virtual “How To” steroid manual that covered everything from what cycles the pros were using, to how to acquire the drugs in Mexico, to where to stick the needle. Prompted by the overwhelming response to his book by drug users hungry for this information, Phillips parlayed his notoriety and newfound celebrity into a full-fledged magazine he dubbed Muscle Media 2000. The magazine continued with more of the same shocking drug information and eventually prompted many of the other bodybuilding magazines to follow suit.
Somewhere in the mid-1990s, Phillips apparently had a change of heart, discovered the untapped financial potential of sports supplements, and took his magazine and other enterprises into a whole new direction — now placing a strong emphasis on health, fitness and self-improvement. He has since gone on to become a best selling author in this field with his book Body For Life.
Unfortunately, the other two above named Gurus were not as fortunate. Riding a similar wave of popularity as Phillips, the controversial ex-convict Dan Duchaine served up his contribution to the world of drug usage with the publishing of the extremely popular Underground Steroid Handbook, a book that sold like hot cakes and went on to become the bible for those wanting to use steroids. To many of Duchaine’s followers, he was not just a Guru — he was a god, leading them beside the still waters of drug-induced bodybuilding progress. This Guru joined the “Great Drug Gurus In The Sky” when he died an untimely death in 2000 at the age of 48. The cause of death was listed as complications related to polycystic kidney disease.
While Phillips and Duchaine were plying their drug Guru talents in America, another self-anointed Guru was leading his faithful flock from across the pond in England. Paul Borresen’s drug information rivaled that of his American counterparts and his books and magazines became the ultimate authority on how to stack and cycle anabolic steroids. Borresen’s writings discussed every possible combination of anabolic pharmaceuticals imaginable as well as where and how to inject steroids. Like Duchaine, this British Guru passed away much too young at 38 years of age. According to his wife, he overdosed on pain-killers that led to a coma and eventually heart failure.
