Victor Martinez opens up about a possible rematch with Jay Cutler as well as his thoughts on Nick Walker’s acting aspirations
On this week’s episode of the Generation Iron Podcast, hosted by bodybuilding legend Victor Martinez as well as Edwin Mejia Jr., and filmmaker Vlad Yudin, recently delved into a wide range of topics, from bodybuilding and competition to the world of acting. Most notably, Victor Martinez gets candid about a possible rematch with Jay Cutler now that he has gotten back into bodybuilding shape. In this recap, we’ll highlight the key takeaways from their insightful conversation.
This past weekend held the return of the Masters Olympia after an eleven year absence. Alongside the Masters Olympia return, Jay Cutler decided to go through a personal bodybuilding transformation challenge. He wanted to be “Fit For 50” – aka back in bodybuilding shape by his 50th birthday. Many believed that this was a sign he would compete at the Masters Olympia. This didn’t happen.
But it did spark memories of the famous face-off of Victor Martinez and Jay Cutler at the 2007 Mr. Olympia. While Cutler ultimately won the showdown, many believed and still do believe that Martinez deserved the Sandow trophy that year.
With Victor Martinez always keeping in shape, and Jay Cutler back in shape for his 50th birthday – could we one day see a rematch between the two competitors on a Masters stage?
Victor Martinez addresses the rumors (or perhaps collective desire to see the rematch). He also gives some advice on how to properly cycle creatine, the world of acting and bodybuilding, as well as Kali Muscle’s latest comments about steroid use in bodybuilding. Let’s dive in.
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Creatine and Muscle Growth
A fan question opened the discussion about creatine and its role in muscle growth. The question asked how to properly use creatine without “getting too big.” Victor Martinez reassured listeners that creatine won’t magically make you too big. He recommended high-quality (HCl) creatine over monohydrate and emphasized the importance of cycling it, typically 8-10 weeks on and 3 weeks off, to alleviate pressure on the liver. Victor advised against getting overly technical about creatine usage, making it clear that moderation is key.
Creatine HCl (Creatine Hydrochloride) and Creatine Monohydrate are two different forms of creatine supplements. They have some differences in terms of solubility, dosage, and potential side effects:
1. Solubility:
- Creatine HCl: Creatine Hydrochloride is known for its high solubility in water. This means it can dissolve easily in liquids, which may make it more convenient for some people to mix with their beverages.
- Creatine Monohydrate: Creatine Monohydrate is also soluble in water, but it may not dissolve as readily as Creatine HCl. It might require more stirring or a little more time to fully dissolve in water.
2. Dosage:
- Creatine HCl: Due to its increased solubility, some argue that you may need a smaller dose of Creatine HCl compared to Creatine Monohydrate to achieve similar results. Typically, a lower daily dose of Creatine HCl, such as 1-2 grams, is suggested.
- Creatine Monohydrate: Creatine Monohydrate often requires a loading phase, where you take higher doses (around 20 grams per day) for a week, followed by a maintenance phase of around 3-5 grams per day. This loading phase is not necessary, but some people opt for it to saturate their muscles with creatine more quickly.
3. Potential Side Effects:
- Creatine HCl: Creatine HCl is considered to be gentler on the stomach for some individuals. People who experience digestive discomfort with Creatine Monohydrate may find Creatine HCl more tolerable.
- Creatine Monohydrate: While Creatine Monohydrate is generally safe for most people, some individuals may experience mild gastrointestinal discomfort, such as bloating or cramping. This is more common when taken in higher doses.
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Rematch: Can Victor Martinez Beat Jay Cutler Today?
The hosts addressed rumors of Victor making a surprise appearance at the 2023 Masters Olympia. Victor swiftly dismissed the idea and speculated that fellow bodybuilding icon Jay Cutler would also avoid a surprise return – saying that Cutler was smart enough to know that he didn’t need to compete at the 2023 Masters Olympia due to his prestige being a 4x Mr. Olympia champion.
Clearly, Victor was correct in this assumption as we did not see Jay Cutler compete this past weekend. But it did beg the question – would we ever see Victor Martinez and Jay Cutler compete against each other for a rematch on the Masters stage? Edwin Mejia Jr. inquired about a potential rematch between Victor and Jay in their 50s. Victor expressed openness to a special pose-off if Jay Cutler showed interest but emphasized he didn’t want to chase former glory from their 2007 battle.
For Victor, he would need Jay Cutler to be naturally open to it – rather than badger Cutler into feeling pressure to compete again. He likened it to similar “super fights” in boxing where old legends come back, put pressure on social media, and the compete. Victor finds the whole thing a bit embarrassing.
Regardless of whether or not a rematch actually happens, Vlad Yudin probed whether Victor believed he could defeat Jay Cutler today, referencing Jay’s “Fit For 50” journey. Victor skillfully sidestepped the question, stating that he didn’t need to predict the outcome since he already believed he won in 2007, despite the judges’ decision.
Bodybuilders Transitioning to Acting
The hosts shifted the conversation to bodybuilders pursuing acting careers. Nick Walker’s aspiration to become an actor was highlighted. Walker recently made headlines by saying it was always his dream to act – and that he would drop competing if the opportunity to star in a film arose.
Victor Martinez raised concerns – claiming that the “Arnold Schwarzenegger model” is not as easy as it seems. He believes that Nick Walker would be quickly typecast. Drawing parallels to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s early career, Victor noted that Arnold overcame typecasting through his charisma and personality. It wasn’t only his physique that won him roles – it was his one-of-a-kind personality that he leveraged into becoming an A-list celebrity (and even later a politician). He questioned whether Nick Walker possesses that unique charisma to avoid being pigeonholed.
Victor Martinez also pointed out that hardly any other bodybuilder has been able to make a transition into acting – showcasing just how hard it was to actually pull it off. The hosts cited Martyn Ford’s success in action films and Kai Greene’s role in Stranger Things as examples of bodybuilders breaking into acting.
Ultimately, Victor Martinez believes that if acting is a true passion for Walker – in the same way bodybuilding is a passion – he should pursue it. But if he is just trying to copy Arnold it may be best left on the table. With that in mind, Victor suggested that Walker started with theater rather than movies. He believes that is a better test as to whether or not Walker has what it takes in to truly make acting his passion.
Kali Muscle’s comments: Are steroids really a “waste of time?”
The podcast delved into Kali Muscle’s statement that steroids – recently stating that they are a waste of time for bodybuilders. Victor Martinez understands that Kali Muscle went through quite a traumatic ordeal due to steroids. He understands that ultimately in terms of long term health – steroids are not a great substance to use.
However, he also believes it is misleading to call them a waste of time. If a bodybuilder is willing to take the risks – PEDs can bring about a higher level of muscle and size that is impossible naturally. That can’t be ignored and is important to many competitors. Ultimately, he stressed the importance of responsible steroid use (as best as possible considering the risks) and distinguishing between use and abuse.
RELATED: An investigation into modern bodybuilding, health, & PED use
Wrap Up
The Generation Iron Podcast provided valuable insights into bodybuilding, acting aspirations, and the evolving landscape of fitness and substance use. Victor Martinez’s vast experience and wisdom were evident throughout, making this episode a must-listen for fans of the bodybuilding world.
You can watch the full episode above and make sure to catch new episodes every Tuesday only on the Generation Iron Fitness Network or wherever podcasts are downloaded!
