Victor Martinez answers: could Sam Sulek become the next Chris Bumstead?
In the latest episode of the Generation Iron Podcast, host Victor Martinez covered a wide range of topics that matter to modern bodybuilding fans. From health-related fan questions about nighttime urination and PED side effects, to major industry discussions about self-coached pro bodybuilders like Sam Sulek and Nick Walker, and even a controversial viral gym video highlighted by Joey Swoll, the episode blended practical advice with real-world commentary.
Here’s a brief overview of the topics discussed this week:
- How to minimize nighttime urination as you age
- Stomach pain after using oral PEDs – what to do?
- Victor Martinez’s take on Sam Sulek and Nick Walker coaching themselves
- Victor reacts to recent gym controversy – a man humping the exercise machines
You can watch the full episode of the Generation Iron Podcast above. Keep reading for an in-depth breakdown of the complete discussion. Let’s dive in!
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How to Minimize Nighttime Urination While on PEDs and Supplements
The first fan question addressed a common issue many lifters deal with, especially those using performance-enhancing drugs and multiple supplements:
“How do I minimize waking up at night to urinate? I’m on juice and lots of health supplements.”
Victor Martinez was quick to normalize the concern. According to Victor, frequent nighttime urination is extremely common, especially for men over 40 years old. Age alone can play a major role, even before PED use is considered.
Victor’s First Recommendation: Control Fluid Timing
Victor shared a simple strategy that has worked well for him personally. He tries to stop drinking water two to three hours before bedtime. This approach doesn’t eliminate hydration during the day but helps reduce the amount of fluid the body needs to process overnight.
For many people, constant late-night bathroom trips are less about total water intake and more about when that water is consumed.
Check for Hidden Diuretics
After managing water timing, Victor Martinez recommended going through a checklist of natural diuretics that may be hiding in the diet or supplement stack. Many people don’t realize how many substances increase urine production, including:
- Caffeine
- Certain herbal supplements
- Pre-workouts
- Fat burners
- Teas and plant extracts
Even when water intake is controlled, these substances can still lead to frequent urination, especially at night.
Do Steroids Cause Frequent Urination?
Vlad Yudin asked a direct question many listeners were probably thinking:
Do steroids themselves cause increased urination?
Victor Martinez said he wasn’t certain but acknowledged it was possible. However, based on his personal experience and what he has observed over the years, he does not commonly see steroid use alone suddenly causing excessive urination. In most cases, other factors like fluid intake, supplements, or age-related issues are involved.
Prostate Health Matters
Edwin Mejia Jr. added an important reminder. If someone is over 40 and experiencing a noticeable increase in daily urination, getting the prostate checked is always a smart move. Regardless of PED use, prostate health is a major factor in urinary frequency and should not be ignored.
Stomach Pain After First-Time Oral PED Use
The second fan question came from a listener who tried an oral PED for the first time and experienced severe stomach pain lasting an entire day.
“Do you think I should stop and never do it again? Maybe it’s a sign.”
Victor Martinez took this question seriously and responded with caution and clarity.
Oral PEDs and Digestive Stress
Victor explained that oral steroids place significant stress on the liver and kidneys, which can indirectly affect digestion and overall comfort. For that reason alone, Victor generally recommends against oral PEDs, especially for beginners.
From a health standpoint, injectables are typically safer than orals when used responsibly, as they bypass the digestive system and reduce liver strain.
Winstrol as a Common Culprit
Victor Martinez noted that among oral PEDs, Winstrol is the one he most often hears about when it comes to stomach issues. If the listener was using oral Winstrol, that could very well explain the stomach pain.
If the PED was not Winstrol, Victor advised the listener to investigate the source of the product. Poor-quality or contaminated PEDs can cause serious adverse reactions.
His advice was simple and firm:
“When in doubt, throw it out.”
Victor Martinez
Blood Work and Medical Supervision
As always, Victor Martinez emphasized the importance of regular blood work and open communication with a doctor. PEDs are powerful substances with real risks, and ignoring warning signs can lead to long-term damage.
Stomach pain is not something to push through. It’s a signal worth paying attention to.
RELATED: Bodybuilders Are Dying – An Investigation Into Modern Bodybuilding, Health, & PED Use
Sam Sulek and Nick Walker Coaching Themselves for the 2026 Arnold Classic
One of the most talked-about segments of the episode focused on a growing trend in professional bodybuilding: athletes coaching themselves.
Both Sam Sulek and Nick Walker have announced they are prepping for the 2026 Arnold Classic without a major guru, which sparked a larger discussion about whether this could become a new norm.
Nick Walker Going Solo
Victor Martinez explained that Nick Walker’s situation is unique. Nick has worked with multiple coaches throughout his career and has already gone through the full prep process many times at the highest level.
Because of that experience, Nick knows:
- What works for his body
- What doesn’t
- How he responds under extreme prep conditions
Victor felt that Nick Walker coaching himself makes sense. At that stage of a career, no one knows your physique better than you do. Confidence plays a huge role, and Nick clearly believes in his ability to manage his own prep.
Sam Sulek’s Decision Raises More Questions
Sam Sulek’s case is different. He is just beginning his professional bodybuilding career, and while he has massive potential, he is still learning how his body responds at the pro level.
Victor Martinez expressed cautious curiosity rather than criticism. It’s harder to know whether Sam has enough experience to successfully coach himself, especially without having competed against top-tier pros yet.
The Arnold Classic will be the real test.
Pros and Cons of Using a Bodybuilding Coach
The discussion naturally expanded into the broader pros and cons of hiring a coach.
Pros of Using a Coach
- You don’t have to think about every detail
- Nutrition and training are planned for you
- Mental stress is reduced
- You can focus entirely on execution and feedback
Victor explained that having a coach allows an athlete to “turn off” part of their brain and simply do the work.
Cons of Using a Coach
- Building trust takes time
- The relationship can be hit or miss
- Coaches need time to learn your body
- Trial and error is common
- Coaching costs money
Not every athlete can afford top-tier coaching early in their career, and not every coach-athlete pairing works out.
Could Sam Sulek Be the Next Classic Physique Olympia Champion?
When asked whether Sam Sulek could become a future Classic Physique Olympia champion, Victor Martinez was clear and realistic.
It’s simply too early to tell.
Sam has not yet been compared side-by-side with the best pros on a major stage. That comparison will happen soon at the Arnold Classic, and only then can serious predictions begin.
Even if Sam performs extremely well, this is still his first year as a pro bodybuilder. Careers are long, and anything can happen.
Joey Swoll Calls Out Inappropriate Gym Behavior
The final topic addressed a viral video shared by Joey Swoll involving a man behaving inappropriately with gym equipment.
Joey’s message was clear: “The gym is not a strip club.”
Victor Martinez agreed wholeheartedly but added an unexpected observation. While gyms are often criticized for women dressing provocatively, the person in this particular video was a man deliberately humping equipment for attention.
Victor found the behavior strange, unnecessary, and clearly intentional.
His stance was firm:
- The individual was looking to cause trouble
- He should be banned from the gym
- This kind of behavior damages gym culture
The hosts agreed that gyms should remain respectful spaces focused on training, not shock value or social media stunts.
Wrap Up
This episode of the Generation Iron Podcast struck a balance between health education, industry insight, and cultural commentary. From practical advice on nighttime urination and PED safety, to nuanced takes on self-coaching in professional bodybuilding, and a clear stance on gym etiquette, Victor Martinez, Edwin Mejia Jr., and Vlad Yudin delivered another grounded, experience-driven discussion.
For bodybuilding fans navigating health concerns, competition prep decisions, or simply trying to understand where the sport is heading, this episode offered plenty to think about.
