Victor Martinez sees Kali Muscle’s recent eye color surgery as warning signs of a deeper identity crisis
The latest episode of the Generation Iron Podcast, hosted by bodybuilding icons Victor Martinez, Edwin Mejia Jr., and Vlad Yudin, delivered a riveting discussion that covered everything from the controversial 2024 Mr. Olympia results to broader topics such as pro card allocations and toxic masculinity. Victor Martinez also reacts to Kali Muscle’s recent eye color surgery – stating that he believes Kali Muscle is gong through an “identity crisis.”
After a month or so of travel working on films and coverage for the Mr. Olympia – the Generation Iron crew are back in the gym recording at home page in New York. We also have the return of host Ehsan Farahi back into the fold! So it’s not surprise that the hosts had a lot of topics to catch up on for this week’s episode. Here’s a brief recap of what to expect:
- Victor Martinez reacts to Kali Muscle’s eye color surgery
- One week later – a hindsight recap of the 2024 Olympia weekend
- Samson Dauda is attempting to do something not done in 23 years…
- Is there a problem with too many pro cards? And can there be a solution?
- Doctor and bloodwork advice for retired bodybuilders
- Is toxic masculinity real?
You can check out the full podcast episode above – and below is our detailed breakdown. Let’s dive in!
Kali Muscle’s Eye Surgery: A Controversial Move
The podcast touched on Kali Muscle’s recent decision to undergo surgery to permanently change the color of his eyes to blue. Victor Martinez suggests that Kali might be going through an identity crisis. Ehsan, however, was more critical, calling Kali a hypocrite for promoting a procedure that contradicts his current image as a natural athlete advocating for health and wellness.
Given Kali Muscle’s past health scare—a heart attack—and his advocacy for all-natural living, Ehsan found it ironic that Kali would promote a cosmetic surgery with potential long-term risks. Victor voiced concern that such promotions could exploit vulnerable people with body dysmorphia or self-image issues.
Ultimately, Victor Martinez believes that the vast shifts in Kali Muscle’s public persona over the past few years all add up to a man who is in the middle of an “identity crisis.” The eye surgery simply being further proof. Do you agree?
Mr. Olympia 2024 Recap: A Brief Review of the Results
From here, the conversation shifted to a breakdown of the 2024 Mr. Olympia results. The hosts touched on where various competitors placed, including the much-talked-about rivalry between Hadi Choopan, Derek Lunsford, and Samson Dauda. While they didn’t dive deep into each placing, they highlighted some notable moments and performances from the event.
Vlad Yudin mentioned that if Samson Dauda follows through with his plans to compete at the 2025 Arnold Classic, and if he wins, he will become the first bodybuilder to earn a whopping $1.1 million across both competitions back-to-back. This would be a historic achievement for Dauda, cementing his place as one of the top earners in bodybuilding history.
Arnold Classic After Mr. Olympia: A Rare Feat
Victor Martinez, along with co-host Ehsan, discussed the rarity of a Mr. Olympia winner competing in the Arnold Classic afterward. While Samson Dauda aims to achieve this in 2025, the last bodybuilder to do so was the legendary Ronnie Coleman in 2001—23 years ago. The bodybuilding world will be watching closely to see if Dauda can pull off such a feat, making history once again.
FAN CRITICAL COMMENT: Victor’s Pre-Olympia Prediction on Derek Lunsford
One fan called Victor out for a comment he made before the 2024 Mr. Olympia, where Victor predicted that the event wasn’t “ready to let go of Derek” Lunsford. The fan criticized Victor for making what they saw as unsubstantiated claims, questioning if he had insider knowledge or was just being unprofessional.
Victor addressed this criticism directly, standing by his earlier statement. He explained that his comments were purely observational, based on how the judges and media seemed to favor Derek during the pre-judging comparisons. According to Victor, the way Derek was repeatedly placed in the center during comparison rounds suggested that there were hopes for him to win. However, Derek ultimately didn’t deliver the championship-worthy performance.
Drawing a comparison to the Jay Cutler versus Ronnie Coleman era, Victor clarified that it’s not about corruption, but rather about expectations. The judges made the right call, even if they had initially hoped for a different outcome.
FAN QUESTION: Should Only Six Pro Cards Be Given Per Division?
Another fan question sparked a lively debate about the number of pro cards awarded each year. Vlad estimated that between 200 and 300 pro cards are given out annually, thanks to the growing number of divisions and competitions. This figure, in stark contrast to earlier years, prompted the question of whether too many athletes are being granted pro status.
While Victor didn’t directly say that only six pro cards should be awarded per division, he did express his disapproval of second-place competitors receiving pro cards. In his view, only first-place winners should earn this prestigious status. Ehsan added to the conversation by pointing out the sheer volume of athletes at the 2024 Mr. Olympia—61 Men’s Physique competitors alone—suggesting that the qualification process might need tightening to preserve the exclusivity of the event.
Edwin echoed these concerns, wondering if too many Olympia-qualifying competitions dilute the prestige of the event. With so many athletes competing, the Olympia weekend has become a marathon, stretching late into the night and making it difficult for fans in various time zones to keep up with the action.
Victor and Vlad acknowledged that the business side of bodybuilding plays a role in this expansion. More qualifying shows mean more competitors, more registrations, and more revenue. However, Victor cautioned that the current system might make it difficult for judges to fairly evaluate such a large pool of athletes.
FAN QUESTION: Doctors and Health Post-Bodybuilding
The next fan question asked Victor what type of doctor he would recommend for bodybuilders who retire from the sport and whether it’s important to give blood while on Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT).
Victor’s response was practical. He advised bodybuilders to seek out sports doctors or physicians who are experienced in treating athletes. General practitioners may not fully understand the unique physiological demands placed on a bodybuilder’s body, especially when it comes to interpreting bloodwork. Athletes need specialized care tailored to their specific needs, especially when transitioning out of competitive life.
As for TRT, Victor recommended giving blood once or twice a year to prevent blood thickening—a common side effect of TRT.
Toxic Masculinity in Bodybuilding: A Heated Topic
Vlad raised the issue of toxic masculinity in bodybuilding, a topic that has become increasingly discussed in both cultural and political contexts. When asked if toxic masculinity exists in bodybuilding, Victor Martinez agreed, though he clarified that it’s part of a larger issue of toxic behavior in general, not exclusive to men.
Ehsan added to the conversation, explaining that people too often view masculinity and femininity in black-and-white terms. He argued for a more nuanced understanding of gender roles, highlighting that not all men are “alpha,” and not all women are passive. Each individual is different, and that’s okay.
Wrap Up
This episode of the Generation Iron Podcast was packed with insightful commentary and heated debates. From the controversial 2024 Mr. Olympia results and the overwhelming number of pro cards to personal decisions like Kali Muscle’s eye surgery, the hosts covered a wide range of topics that resonate deeply with the bodybuilding community. Victor, Edwin, and Vlad once again provided fans with a thought-provoking conversation that shed light on the evolving landscape of bodybuilding.
You can watch the full episode at the top of this article. And don’t forget to check back every week for new episodes on the Generation Iron Fitness Network or wherever podcasts are downloaded!
