Victor Martinez shares his unfiltered thoughts on the Women’s Boxing gender controversy at the 2024 Olympics
In a recent episode of the Generation Iron Podcast, host Victor Martinez holds nothing back in his opinion of boxer Imane Khelif and the Women’s Boxing gender controversy surrounding the 2024 Olympics. Victor and the GI crew also tackled a variety of topics that have been making waves in bodybuilding – including how stress affects weight loss and the unsettling rise of death threats in bodybuilding competitions and the debate on the necessity of rest days in a bodybuilder’s routine.
The 2024 Olympics may be over, but the controversy has continued in the ongoing discourse surrounding boxer Imane Khelif and whether or not she should have the right to compete in the women’s division. After taking time to think it over and see all evidence, Victor Martinez was ready to share his opinion. No sugarcoating. No double speak. Just his unfiltered opinion.
Here’s an overview of what is discussed in this week’s podcast episode:
- Should Imane Khelif have been allowed to box in the women’s division at the 2024 Olympics? And did she deserve the hateful accusations made online?
- Victor answers: how does stress affect weight loss?
- An investigation into whether or not death threats are becoming more common in bodybuilding.
- Sam Sulek says he doesn’t take rest days. Is that a bad idea?
We recap the entire episode in detail below. Let’s dive in!
View this post on Instagram
Women’s Boxing Controversy: The Case of Imane Khelif
The main topic discussed this week was the highly charged situation in the world of women’s boxing: the controversy surrounding Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and the gender accusations she faced due to her DSD (Differences in Sex Development) condition. The controversy ignited when Khelif’s Italian opponent quit a boxing match after just 46 seconds, claiming she had never been hit so hard in her life. This led to widespread accusations that Khelif was transgender and unfairly competing in the women’s division.
Victor Martinez and Edwin Mejia Jr. weighed in on the situation, expressing concern over the rush to judgment that often occurs in such cases. Victor remarked that people are too quick to jump to conclusions, pointing out that even though Khelif does have a DSD condition, the initial accusations were baseless and driven by misinformation.
Victor went on to explain that Khelif was born female but with a DSD disorder, a congenital condition that can affect a person’s chromosomes, gonads, or anatomy, essentially making her intersex. While some public figures, like Jake Paul, later apologized for the transgender accusations, others continued to debate whether a DSD woman should be allowed to compete in female sports due to the perceived advantages her condition might confer.
Addressing the role of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in this controversy, the hosts discussed the complexities of gender verification in sports. Victor was skeptical about the efficacy and fairness of any gender testing administered by sports committees, citing historical corruption within organizations like the International Boxing Association (IBA) and the doping scandals involving Russian athletes. “Even if there was a test, I wouldn’t necessarily trust the committee that administers it,” he stated, highlighting the pervasive issue of corruption in sports governance.
Ultimately, Victor defended Khelif’s right to compete, asserting that if she was considered female at birth, that should be sufficient. Victor believes that she can train to become as manly as she wants, but if she was still born female then that is all that matters to him.
It should be acknowledging that there is more complexity of her DSD condition in regards to her gender at birth. Though she was listed as and she considers herself to be born female despite these irregularities.
Edwin added that nuanced conversations about this topic are nearly impossible in the modern world of the internet. He notes that the rapid spread of misinformation on social media exacerbates such controversies, making it difficult for the public to discern the truth. People were ready to be angry when they thought she was a born female who became a transgender male. When this turned out to not be the case – those same people found reason to remain angry.
Effective Weight Loss and the Impact of Cortisol: A Fan’s Dilemma
Victor Martinez and the GI crew went on to answer a fan question that resonated with many listeners: What is the most effective way to lose weight? This particular fan, who had previously achieved impressive results through weight training and reduced body fat to 10%, found himself in a challenging situation after an injury.
Unable to continue his rigorous training regimen, he turned to intermittent fasting as an alternative method for weight loss, which yielded positive results. However, recent personal stress due to his son’s hospitalization led him to wonder about the role of cortisol, a stress hormone, in weight loss.
Victor Martinez took the lead in addressing this question, emphasizing that cortisol indeed plays a significant role in weight loss, often acting as a barrier to progress. Cortisol, which is a hormone tied to your stress levels, can seriously affect how your body reacts to diets and can also mess with your psychology. Victor pointed out that high stress levels could undermine one’s motivation to stick to a diet or maintain a consistent training routine, ultimately sabotaging weight loss efforts.
To combat this, Victor suggested incorporating stress-relief practices, such as meditation, into one’s daily routine. “Taking care of your stress levels is crucial,” he advised, noting that stress management is as important as diet and exercise when it comes to effective weight loss.
Victor Martinez further advised the fan to approach his weight loss journey as if starting over, especially after a period of significant stress or injury. “Consider yourself as starting fresh with your diet and training regimen,” he said. He recommended beginning with at least three balanced meals per day, rather than attempting to pick up where one left off before the injury or stressful event. By clearing the slate and gradually reintroducing healthy habits, individuals can rebuild their routines in a sustainable way.
While acknowledging the benefits of intermittent fasting, Victor also noted that it is a viable approach to weight loss that the fan could continue incorporating into his routine. Victor notes that he finds success by fasting for at least 12-14 hours in a day. If intermittent fasting has worked for this listener in the past, Victor suggests that it could be part of the fan’s restart strategy.
Co-host Ehsan added to the discussion by highlighting the importance of varying one’s cardio and training activities to keep both body and mind engaged. He suggested sports like running, boxing, or biking as excellent options, particularly noting how boxing could help release stress. “After losing my father last year, biking was a huge help for me to stay healthy and prevent falling into a depression spiral,” Ehsan shared, underscoring the dual benefits of physical activity for both fitness and mental health.
Social Media’s Dark Side: Death Threats in Bodybuilding
The discussion then turned to a disturbing trend in the bodybuilding community: death threats directed at competitors. This topic arose in the context of bodybuilder Jon Delarosa, who recently won a competition amid controversy over whether he deserved the victory. Delarosa later revealed that he had received death threats from disgruntled fans who believed he should not have won.
Vlad Yudin asked if such threats were common in the bodybuilding world, prompting Victor to reflect on his own experiences. “It’s not something I was aware of during my time competing, but I assume it’s more common now with social media,” Victor said, noting how the anonymity provided by online platforms enables individuals to make threats without fear of repercussions.
Ehsan expressed disbelief at the situation, questioning why Delarosa was being targeted when the decision was made by the judges. He notes how it shows the mindset of the people making threats as they are attacking the wrong person. Ehsan emphasized that Delarosa’s role was simply to present his best physique, not to influence the outcome.
The Importance of Rest Days: A Debate Among Bodybuilders
The final topic of the podcast revolved around rest days and whether they are essential for bodybuilders. This debate was sparked by comments from Sam Sulek, who stated that he never takes days off from training. Victor Martinez weighed in, stressing the importance of rest for muscle recovery and growth. Muscles need to rebuild during recovery to come back stronger—that’s how building muscle works.
Victor shared that in the past, he would sometimes tell his clients that he never took rest days, a tactic that ultimately backfired. “They would show up the week of the show beat up and rundown,” he recalled, using this anecdote to illustrate the dangers of neglecting recovery time. “You need to recover, or else you will burn out.”
Wrap Up
The Generation Iron Podcast continues to provide a platform for insightful discussions on critical issues in the fitness, bodybuilding, and sports communities. This episode, in particular, shed light on the complex interplay between stress, weight loss, and the role of cortisol, the ethical dilemmas surrounding gender and sports, the dark side of social media in the bodybuilding world, and the essential nature of rest days for athletes.
As always, the hosts’ diverse perspectives and candid conversations make this podcast a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of fitness, health, and society.
You can watch the full episode above. Don’t forget to check back every week for new episodes on the Generation Iron Fitness Network or wherever podcasts are downloaded!
