Goob breaks down the 2025 World’s Strongest Woman trans scandal beat by beat
The latest episode of The Goob Show centers on one of the biggest controversies in strength sports right now – a trans woman winning the 2025 World’s Strongest Woman competition. From there it moves through gym policy debates, a new study on social media behaviors, a comparison between two bodybuilding icons, and the ongoing turbulence surrounding Nick Walker and his coaching decisions.
Here’s a brief overview of the topics discussed in this week’s episode:
- Goob’s take on the controversy involving Jammie Booker and the World’s Strongest Woman 2025 title
- Gold’s Gym locker room transgender incident and debates about gym policies
- Study linking frequent workout posting to psychological issues – does Goob agree?
- Ronnie Coleman’s claim that Arnold Schwarzenegger would beat Chris Bumstead. Is he right?
- Nick Walker’s split with coach Kyle Wilkes and his future as a top tier bodybuilder
You can watch the full episode of The Goob Show above. Keep reading for an in-depth analysis of the episode.
The Strongman Games Controversy and the Jammie Booker Decision
The bulk of the episode focuses on the fallout from the World’s Strongest Woman 2025 event. Jammie Booker won the title in what would be an amazing moment for any athlete. However, shortly after, questions surfaced about her eligibility due to league rules regarding transgender competitors.
Goob says he was the first to make the information public online. According to him, athletes and insiders were messaging him privately about Booker’s past, but none of them wanted to speak up out of fear of being offensive.
On the show, Goob explains that he investigated the claims himself and found enough information to feel confident going public. He says that before transitioning, Jammie Booker worked in adult entertainment under the name Jim Booker, which made it easy for the story to spread once his post went live.
The conversation grew fast. The league eventually announced an internal review. That review confirmed that Booker was born male, which violated rules for the women’s category. The organization then stripped her of the title.
Goob stresses that his main point is not about identity, but about competition rules. He says Booker knowingly entered a category she was not eligible for. That decision, according to him, changed the results, robbed other female athletes of their fair moment on stage, and forced the league to correct the event only after public pressure.
Even though the rightful winners have now been recognized on paper, they did not receive the spotlight on the day of the contest. In his view, that moment is something athletes never get back.
Goob also points to performance comparisons. Booker’s numbers, he argues, would not be competitive in the men’s league. If she followed the rules and competed in the men’s category, he claims she would not have reached champion status or even come close. For him, this highlights how the situation unfolded as an unfair advantage rather than a misunderstanding. He also criticizes the silence from other strongman athletes, saying many people had concerns but feared backlash.
Co host Vlad asks whether something similar could occur in bodybuilding. Goob does not think so. Bodybuilding judges physiques rather than strength. Strength advantages do not directly shape placement. Because of that, he believes bodybuilding is less vulnerable to the same kind of controversy.
Gold’s Gym Locker Room Incident and Policy Debates
The episode then shifts to another story about transgender policy decisions. A woman at a Gold’s Gym claimed she walked into the locker room and saw a trans woman fully naked. The woman said she felt uncomfortable and believed she was being harassed. She also said this person had harassed her before and had a criminal record. After she raised her voice and caused a scene, the gym removed her from the facility.
Goob notes that Gold’s Gym policy allows members to use the locker room that aligns with their gender identity. Because of that, the gym saw the trans woman’s presence in the locker room as allowed behavior.
Goob argues that cases like this show how some individuals can take advantage of policies that do not account for bad actors. He is careful to separate this from trans rights at large. Throughout the episode, he repeats that transgender people deserve safety and respect. His concern, as he frames it, is with those who use social pressure to shield inappropriate behavior.
He believes this is why so many online reactions show frustration. According to him, the public is losing patience with policies that do not balance inclusivity with practical boundaries. He also argues that many public figures stay silent on these issues because they fear losing sponsorships. Goob’s position is that people need to care more about truth and fairness than about staying marketable.
In his view, when something is wrong, people should say so, even if it comes with consequences.
A New Study on Workout Posting Habits and Mental Health
Next, the podcast turns toward online behavior. A recent study claims that people who frequently post their workouts on social media are more likely to struggle with psychological issues.
Goob shares a personal example. He once complimented the workout progress of someone he knew in person. Later she was upset that he had not also commented on her Instagram post. Goob says this was the moment he realized how many people attach their self worth to social media attention.
He clarifies that this one story does not prove anyone is unwell. Still, he thinks the study is pointing toward something real. Some people are addicted to posting and rely on likes and comments for emotional validation. He sees a difference between people who use social media as a marketing tool and those who need constant feedback to feel grounded. For him, the growth of influencer culture makes this problem more visible each year.
Ronnie Coleman Says Arnold Would Have Smoked Chris Bumstead
The next topic centers on bodybuilding legends. A recent headline quoted Ronnie Coleman saying Arnold Schwarzenegger would have beaten Chris Bumstead if they competed head to head. Goob says the comparison is impossible to make. The eras are too different. Training, drugs, nutrition, and general knowledge have all changed. It is like comparing athletes who lived in two unrelated worlds.
Goob says a more useful comparison is dominance in their own time. Bumstead entered Classic Physique, won the Olympia, and never lost the title until he chose to retire. His entire competitive window came during one of the most popular eras in bodybuilding history. Because of that, Goob thinks Bumstead’s dominance might be even more impressive relative to the size and talent of his generation’s field.
Vlad then asks whether Ronnie Coleman himself would still dominate if he were born in a different era. Goob’s answer is yes. Ronnie, in his opinion, is a total outlier. A rare athlete with the perfect mix of genetics, work ethic, and mentality. Goob believes Ronnie would have reached the top in any time period.
Nick Walker Parts Ways with Coach Kyle Wilkes and Goes Solo
The final topic is the aftermath of Nick Walker’s 2025 Olympia placement. After a disappointing finish, Nick ended his working relationship with coach Kyle Wilkes. This is only the latest parting in a long string of coaching changes for him. The twist is that instead of hiring someone new, Nick plans to coach himself.
Goob predicts that Nick will enter the Arnold Classic 2026. Past coaches tended to advise him against it, and sometimes that created conflict. Now that Nick is calling his own shots, he will likely do the show.
Goob also talks about Nick’s personal history. He says Nick struggles with trust. His upbringing involved serious challenges, which makes it hard for him to rely on others. This does not mean his coaches were untrustworthy. It means Nick has a hard time connecting and feeling secure. After years of switching between coaches and hearing nonstop opinions from fans online, Nick may simply want silence and control.
Goob also makes sure to defend Kyle Wilkes. He says Kyle is an excellent coach and should not be blamed for Nick’s placement or frustration. In Goob’s view, this split has far more to do with Nick’s internal battles than with coaching quality.
Wrap Up
This episode of The Goob Show pushes into difficult territory without hesitation. From contested sports rules to gym policies, from social media behavior to legendary bodybuilding debates, Goob speaks directly and attributes every claim to his own investigation or opinion. Whether listeners agree with him or not, the episode addresses some of the most discussed topics in strength culture today. It also gives fans an inside perspective on athletes whose careers continue to shape the fitness world.
If the online response is any indication, this may become one of the most talked about episodes of the year.
