Victor Martinez answers – in a fitness forward relationship, what do you do when your partner “lets go?”
In the latest episode of the Generation Iron Podcast, pro bodybuilder and host Victor Martinez spoke honestly about fitness and physical attraction, Derek Lunsford’s electro-shock training methods, and how artificial intelligence is already changing and reshaping the modern bodybuilding landscape – including how Victor Martinez thinks he could have benefited from AI during his peak bodybuilding years.
Here’s a brief overview of the topics discussed in this week’s episode:
- What to do when your romantic partner is starting “let go” and lose shape
- Is it healthy to eat 3,000 calories every day but completely avoid protein?
- Victor Martinez reacts to Derek Lunsford’s use of EMS electro-shock training
- Honoring Dexter Jackson with a spot in the International Sports Hall Of Fame
- Is AI replacing fitness apps? Would Victor have enjoyed using AI during his pro bodybuilding years?
You can watch the full episode of the Generation Iron Podcast above. Keep reading for an in-depth breakdown of this week’s conversation. Let’s jump to it.
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Fan Question: Should You Get Back Together With an Ex After They Improve Themselves?
The episode opened with a fan-submitted question – what do you do when you dump your girlfriend because she became less fit… but then improved herself after the breakup. Should you try to get back with her?
According to Victor Martinez, just because someone improves their appearance after a breakup does not automatically mean you can step back into their life. In fact, he suggested that the timing may actually work against the fan. If the breakup occurred because of concerns over appearance and lifestyle habits, then reaching out now that she looks better could send the wrong message.
Victor explained that true relationships are built on more than physical appearance. He believes that partners should encourage each other to become better versions of themselves while they are together. If the motivation for ending the relationship was largely based on appearance, the chances of successfully rekindling the relationship may be lower than expected.
However, Victor also acknowledged that the length and depth of the relationship matter. A brief relationship carries different emotional weight than a long-term partnership. If there was a meaningful connection and strong compatibility beyond appearance, there may still be a possibility of reconnecting.
Ehsan Farahi added another layer to the conversation. He suggested that fitness improvements often correlate with improved happiness and mental well-being. If the former girlfriend had let herself go during the relationship, it may have been a sign that she was unhappy at the time.
YouTuber Quits Zero-Protein Challenge After Just 10 Days
YouTuber Manuel Enrique attempted to go 30 days without consuming any protein while maintaining approximately 3,000 calories per day. The challenge was designed to test what would happen when protein was completely removed from the diet. However, the experiment ended after only 10 days due to declining strength, energy levels, and overall performance.
Victor Martinez immediately questioned the purpose of the challenge. His first reaction was that the experiment seemed designed primarily to attract attention. From a nutritional standpoint, Victor noted that the outcome was predictable. Protein is one of the essential macronutrients required for human health and bodily function.
Victor explained that even individuals following vegetarian or vegan diets still consume protein through alternative sources such as legumes, beans, nuts, seeds, and plant-based protein products. Completely eliminating protein is fundamentally different from reducing animal products or following alternative dietary approaches.
He stressed that while people can experiment with low-carbohydrate diets or adjust fiber intake, protein is not something that can simply be removed altogether.
Protein plays a critical role in muscle repair, recovery, hormone production, enzyme function, and overall health. As a result, Victor was not surprised that negative side effects eventually emerged.
What did surprise him, however, was how quickly the YouTuber reported severe symptoms.
Victor revealed that he has personally gone through periods where his protein intake was very low for more than 10 days. Based on his own experiences, he did not expect such dramatic declines to occur so rapidly.
Derek Lunsford Uses EMS Shock Therapy Before the 2026 Mr. Olympia
Another major topic focused on reigning bodybuilding star Derek Lunsford and his use of EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) therapy as part of his preparation for the 2026 Mr. Olympia competition.
Reports indicated that Lunsford has been utilizing EMS shock therapy to help enhance arm development approximately 12 weeks before stepping on the Olympia stage.
Victor Martinez states that he has had firsthand experience with EMS technology. In fact, he mentioned that he had used it only a few weeks prior to the podcast recording.
Victor described the experience positively and believes EMS serves a valuable purpose. However, he expressed some surprise that Derek Lunsford is incorporating it into his current training strategy.
As a retired bodybuilder, Victor primarily uses EMS to stimulate muscles and support recovery during this phase of his life. Because Lunsford is currently competing at the highest level of professional bodybuilding and remains in his prime, Victor questioned why such additional stimulation would be necessary.
Victor was careful to emphasize that EMS should never be viewed as a replacement for traditional resistance training.
According to him, the electrical stimulation generated by EMS devices is not intense enough to replicate the benefits of a full workout. The technology cannot replace heavy lifting, progressive overload, or the countless hours of training required to build a championship physique.
That said, Victor acknowledged several legitimate uses for EMS.
He believes it can be highly effective when used before training sessions because it may help increase muscle activation and improve the pump achieved during workouts. Additionally, EMS can serve as a useful rehabilitation tool for athletes recovering from injuries.
Dexter Jackson Earns International Sports Hall of Fame Recognition
Dexter Jackson is set to be inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 during Olympia Weekend, adding another prestigious achievement to his legendary career.
Victor Martinez praised the recognition and expressed happiness for Jackson.
While acknowledging that the International Sports Hall of Fame may not receive the same level of media attention as the Arnold Classic or Mr. Olympia itself, Victor stressed that it remains a meaningful honor within the sports world.
Victor believes Dexter Jackson is exceptionally deserving of the recognition.
Throughout his career, Jackson established himself as one of the most consistent and successful bodybuilders in history. His longevity, professionalism, and achievements helped shape modern bodybuilding and inspired multiple generations of athletes.
Are Fitness Apps Losing Popularity?
The final major discussion centered around the changing landscape of fitness technology and whether fitness training apps are beginning to lose their appeal among consumers.
For years, fitness apps have promised customized workout plans, nutrition guidance, progress tracking, and even access to celebrity trainers. However, questions are emerging about whether consumers are becoming fatigued with subscription-based fitness platforms.
Victor Martinez believes fitness apps are experiencing the natural lifecycle of any trend.
According to Victor, fitness apps can certainly be useful tools, but they ultimately package and deliver information that has existed for decades. The fundamentals of training, nutrition, and consistency remain unchanged regardless of how the information is presented.
A fitness app may offer convenience and organization, but it is not a magic solution that transforms someone’s physique overnight.
How AI Is Changing The Bodybuilding Landscape… And How Victor Martinez Believes It Would Have Helped Him
Ehsan Farahi pointed toward another major factor impacting the fitness app industry: artificial intelligence.
He noted that AI tools such as ChatGPT are becoming increasingly popular among individuals seeking training and nutrition guidance. AI offers users immediate access to highly personalized information without requiring ongoing subscription fees associated with many fitness platforms.
While Ehsan acknowledged that AI-generated advice may sometimes contain inaccuracies, he believes the convenience and customization capabilities are attracting many users away from traditional fitness applications.
Victor concluded the discussion by emphasizing that no technology can fully replace genuine human coaching.
While fitness apps and AI tools may offer convenience, they lack the personal connection and real-world observation that experienced trainers provide. A skilled coach can assess physique changes, identify weaknesses, adjust nutrition plans, and understand how a specific individual responds to training.
For Victor, one-on-one coaching remains the gold standard because it delivers personalized feedback that no app or algorithm can completely replicate.
That being said, Victor Martinez also admits that he thinks AI would have helped him during his years in bodybuilding. Not because it is a magic pill – but would provide him with more specific fine-tuned details on training. That combined with his history of hard work and pushing his boundaries makes Victor believe that he could have had even more success if it was available during his time.
Wrap Up
This episode of the Generation Iron Podcast delivered insightful discussions on relationships, nutrition, bodybuilding, and the evolving fitness industry. Victor Martinez, Ehsan Farahi, Edwin Mejia Jr., and Vlad Yudin explored the complexities of reconnecting with an ex, the dangers of eliminating protein from the diet, the role of EMS therapy in bodybuilding preparation, Dexter Jackson’s Hall of Fame recognition, and the growing competition between fitness apps and artificial intelligence.
