Kai Greene speaks on Rich Piana.

Love him or hate him, Rich Piana made his mark on bodybuilding. Five months after his death, many fans are still mourning his loss in the bodybuilding community. He represented a total self-reliance and honesty that is rarely seen in any professional sphere. So often, public figures sell a certain image or certain ideas that are deceiving, and Rich Piana stood in opposition to the polished establishment. He took to Youtube almost weekly to discuss steroids, his finances, the necessity of great genetics in bodybuilding, and other touchy subjects.

Five months after Rich’s passing, Kai Greene has taken to social media to share his thoughts on Rich Piana’s place in the bodybuilding community, and how best to honor his legacy.

First, Kai remarks that Rich was in the unique position of having his own brand and communication platform – this freedom allowed him to speak however he liked:

“People like him represent a lot of opportunity that is unlocked when you are willing to do your own work and develop your own platform and put yourself out there….he would tell you what it is and how he thought. There is an ability to be honest when you have developed your platform when you are able to stand in command and ownership your image and your ability to be independent.”

Kai also proposed that instead of mourning the loss of Rich Piana and the ensuing absence of his message in the community – his fans should figure out how they can perpetuate his legacy. Kai sees Rich’s passing as an opportunity to internalize and develop those aspects of Rich’s character that he saw as admirable:

“There is a part of me that thinks very deeply about how I can recognize and develop those pieces in myself that I think in the long run pays a much larger respect to him, demonstrates better appreciation.”

Deep thinking as always from Kai, and perhaps a foreshadowing of the type of character he will become in bodybuilding after retirement. Of course he and Rich are very different characters, but they share one valuable trait- a strong sense of integrity.

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