Pro bodybuilder Victor Martinez warns of the potential cancer risks of using HGH in bodybuilding
In the latest episode of the Generation Iron Podcast, host Victor Martinez debated with the GI Crew on various topics ranging from health risks tied to HGH use to conspiracy theories surrounding the 2007 Mr. Olympia, and from lab-grown meat to modern biohacking culture. Most notably, Victor Martinez speaks candidly about the cancer risks associated with using HGH.
Here’s a brief breakdown of the topics discussed in this week’s episode:
- Victor Martinez responds – can HGH use cause cancer?
- Conspiracy corner – did the Mr. Olympia judges make a deal with Jay Cutler to win in 2007?
- Victor discuss 50 Cent’s claim about lab-grown chicken in Campbell’s Soup and corporate cost-cutting motives.
- Victor criticizes Bryan Johnson’s obsession with penis health as excessive and rooted in insecurity.
- Victor shares a wild porn-set story to show how insecurity leads people to overcompensate regardless of physical traits.
- Victor praises Diamond Gym as a rare old-school gym that reveals how soft modern training culture has become.
You can watch the full episode of the Generation Iron Podcast above. Keep reading for a more in-depth recap of this week’s discussions. Let’s dive in!
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Fan Comment Sparks Discussion on HGH and Cancer Risk
The episode opened with a fan comment that immediately set a serious tone. The listener claimed that there is now real evidence that HGH (human growth hormone) can both cause cancer and aggressively accelerate existing cancer cells in the body. The fan concluded that HGH is simply not worth the risk.
Victor Martinez did not dismiss the comment. Instead, he acknowledged that he has heard similar concerns over the years and explained that this topic is not new within bodybuilding circles. What has changed, according to Victor, is how much more information and research is now available compared to decades ago.
Denis Newman and the First HGH Cancer Questions in Bodybuilding
Victor Martinez recalled the late 90s bodybuilder Dennis Newman, a competitor who showed immense promise during that era. Newman had a standout physique and was widely viewed as someone who could have become a major name in professional bodybuilding. His size, structure, and overall look made him a serious threat onstage.
That trajectory came to a sudden halt when Newman was diagnosed with leukemia.
At the time, the bodybuilding media began speculating about what might have contributed to the illness. Among the theories floating around was HGH use. Victor explained that this was the first time he personally heard HGH publicly discussed as a possible factor in cancer development or progression.
Back then, much of the discussion was speculation. Studies were limited, and the bodybuilding world relied heavily on anecdotal evidence and rumor. Victor noted that today, the conversation has shifted. While still complex, the connection between growth hormone, IGF-1, and cancer cell growth is better understood and supported by research.
Victor ended the story on a positive note, telling listeners that Denis Newman is thankfully still alive. But the impact of that moment stayed with him, even as he continued competing.
Why Victor Martinez Still Used HGH During His Career
Despite knowing the risks, Victor Martinez admitted that he continued using HGH during his prime years. His explanation was blunt and revealing.
At that stage of his life, Victor said he had an “all-in” mentality. He was willing to die for bodybuilding if that’s what it took to be great. Winning, pushing limits, and reaching the highest level of the sport mattered more than long-term consequences.
Victor emphasized that this mindset is not unique. Many young bodybuilders enter the sport with the same mentality. They want to be exceptional, and they are often willing to gamble with their health to get there.
Looking back, Victor does not glamorize that attitude. Instead, he presents it as a reality of elite-level bodybuilding culture, especially during eras when less information was available and the pressure to compete at the highest level was extreme.
Fan Question: Jay Cutler, 2007 Olympia, and Bodybuilding Politics
Another fan question shifted the conversation from health to one of bodybuilding’s most debated moments: the 2007 Mr. Olympia, where Jay Cutler narrowly defeated Victor Martinez.
The fan referenced Victor’s previous comments saying he does not blame Jay Cutler for “stealing” the title, since judging decisions are not made by competitors. But the listener pressed further, asking whether Victor believed the judges made a deal with Jay to ensure his victory.
Victor opened his response with humor.
“Conspiracies… I love them!” he joked, laughing off the suggestion.
He explained that he never invested much energy in bodybuilding politics. Victor loved training, preparing, and competing. Outside of that, he largely stayed to himself. He attended shows when he had to, made appearances when required, and then went right back to the gym.
Networking was never his strength or priority.
By contrast, Victor acknowledged that Jay Cutler was very different in that regard. Jay built relationships throughout the bodybuilding world and was known for being extremely well-connected.
So could those connections have influenced outcomes? Victor smiled and teased the idea but made it clear he has no bitterness. For him, bodybuilding was about the work, not the politics. That mindset, he said, allowed him to move forward without holding grudges.
50 Cent, Campbell’s Soup, and Lab-Grown Chicken
The conversation then turned to a viral controversy involving 50 Cent, who alleged that Campbell’s Soup was using 3D-printed, lab-grown chicken. Campbell’s responded by denying the claim and inviting 50 Cent to tour their facilities.
Victor Martinez reacted with humor, joking that just hearing about lab-grown meat gave him kidney pains.
While acknowledging that 50 Cent is known for stirring controversy, Victor pointed out something more concerning. The CEO of Campbell’s was recently caught on a hot mic making dismissive comments about customers. Although lab-grown meat was not mentioned, Victor felt it revealed a broader attitude toward consumers.
In Victor’s view, companies that hold their customer base in low regard are exactly the ones that might turn to lab-grown meat to cut costs and maximize profit. Not because it’s better, but because it’s cheaper.
As for whether lab-grown meat is the future, Victor was clear – He said he will never eat meat that does not have a bone in it.
Bryan Johnson, Penis Health, and Modern Longevity Obsession
One of the most talked-about segments involved entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, whose extreme longevity experiments were recently highlighted in Vanity Fair. Johnson reportedly tracks detailed data about his penis health, including ejaculation metrics and nighttime erections, even comparing results to his teenage son.
Victor Martinez found the entire concept deeply strange.
To him, the obsession felt like overcompensation. He compared it to someone with a tiny car buying an expensive sports car to feel validated. Victor saw no scenario where Botox injections into the penis made sense.
“I think this guy is trying to break the smallest penis in the world record—that’s bad,” Victor joked.
He also questioned the ethics and sanity of comparing such data to one’s own child, calling it creepy and asking where Johnson’s wife fits into all of this.
Diamond Gym and Old-School Bodybuilding Mentality
The episode closed with discussion of Ashton Hall’s Diamond Gym workout. Victor admitted he hadn’t seen the video but didn’t need to.
Diamond Gym, he explained, is one of the few remaining gyms that still embodies old-school bodybuilding culture. Training there feels like stepping back in time. The environment pushes people harder, strips away excuses, and exposes how soft modern training can be by comparison.
According to Victor, if you train at Diamond Gym, “you’ll realize how soft you really are.”
Wrap Up
This episode of the Generation Iron Podcast showcased everything fans expect: real talk, uncomfortable truths, humor, and firsthand insight from one of bodybuilding’s most respected veterans. Victor Martinez did not sanitize his past or shy away from controversial opinions. Instead, he offered perspective shaped by experience, loss, and growth.
Whether discussing HGH risks, bodybuilding politics, food industry ethics, or modern health obsessions, the message was consistent. Trends change. Technology evolves. But honesty, self-awareness, and accountability matter more than ever.
