Victor Martinez breaks down the importance not going cold turkey when ending a steroid cycle – and tips on how to avoid a hormone crash
The latest episode of the Generation Iron Podcast, hosted by bodybuilding icons Victor Martinez, Edwin Mejia Jr., Ehsan Farahi and Vlad Yudin, provided fresh insights into the science of performance enhancement – specifically the importance of post-cycle therapy (PCT), what it is, and how to best use it to avoid massive hormonal imbalances.
The latest episode delivered insightful, nuanced perspectives on fitness, health, and the mental game behind competitive bodybuilding. Here are some essential takeaways:
- PCT Is More Than Just a Steroid Cycle Staple: PCT may be beneficial for athletes even if they haven’t used steroids, particularly for those looking to regulate testosterone for muscle growth or family planning.
- Sleep Hygiene Is Key to Performance: Victor Martinez emphasizes that sleep is crucial for recovery, and natural remedies like melatonin and lifestyle adjustments, such as consistent wake times, are healthier options than prescription sleep aids.
- Not All Competitions Are Created Equal: Gimmick sports, like slap contests and the new “kicking” competition, might entertain, but they lack the depth and athletic integrity found in skill-based sports like arm wrestling.
- Stem Cell Therapy Holds Potential but Isn’t Accessible to Everyone: While it shows promise, stem cell therapy’s cost and current limitations mean it’s not yet a mainstream solution for athletes dealing with injuries.
- The Mental Game in Bodybuilding: Nick Walker’s choice to skip the Olympia underscores the psychological demands on professional bodybuilders, with Victor highlighting the importance of mental resilience in competing at an elite level.
Let’s dive into the episode in more detail below:
Fan Question #1: The Benefits of PCT Without a Steroid Cycle
In response to a fan question, Victor Martinez explained the fundamentals of Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT), particularly addressing its role beyond steroid cycles. Traditionally, PCT is a protocol used by athletes to restore natural testosterone levels after completing a steroid cycle. The abrupt end of steroid intake often causes a dramatic drop in testosterone levels, creating both physiological and psychological imbalances.
Victor Martinez stressed the importance of this therapy for balancing hormones, especially after prolonged steroid use, to mitigate risks like depression and physical ailments, such as fatty liver.
For individuals not on steroids but facing testosterone-related issues, Victor Martinez clarified that PCT could still offer benefits. He recommended consulting with a healthcare professional before starting any PCT regimen, as individual needs vary. Ehsan echoed Victor’s advice, further explaining that stopping steroids “cold turkey” can be psychologically taxing, and PCT serves as a helpful step to avoid this abrupt transition. For those aspiring to build muscle or start a family, balancing testosterone is critical, and PCT could be a beneficial tool, even in the absence of steroids.
Fan Question #2: Victor Martinez’s Sleep Stack
Sleep and recovery are fundamental for bodybuilders, as quality sleep aids in muscle recovery and overall health. Answering another fan’s question, Victor Martinez discussed his evolving approach to sleep over the years. In the past, he resorted to pharmaceuticals like Ambien and Xanax during intense training phases. However, Victor now advocates for natural alternatives, acknowledging the potential health risks and sleep disturbances caused by long-term reliance on sleep medications.
Victor Martinez now prefers melatonin, noting that it took him nearly two months to stabilize his sleep cycle with this method. Alongside melatonin, he emphasized that maintaining a consistent wake-up time is crucial, advising early risings to align one’s body clock and support healthier sleep cycles. Both Victor and Ehsan highlighted the importance of avoiding food one hour before bed, as late-night eating can disrupt sleep quality and nutrition. Edwin Mejia added that reducing alcohol intake can also help, as it tends to interfere with restful sleep.
They also discussed CBD as an emerging sleep aid, especially for athletes seeking relaxation without the drawbacks of prescription medications. Reducing screen time before bed was another critical tip, with Ehsan and Victor both emphasizing that screens can delay melatonin production, disrupting the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.
The Unconventional Competition: A Kick in the Genitals
One of the more humorous and surprising topics in the episode revolved around a new, unorthodox competition where contestants engage in kicking each other in the genitals. The hosts, particularly Victor Martinez, found this competition perplexing, questioning the rationale behind it. Unlike sports like arm wrestling, which require skill and strategy, this particular contest seemed to lack purpose beyond shock value.
Victor Martinez speculated that the competitors must have no desire to have children, jokingly adding that anyone participating would need serious mental preparation. Comparing this competition to “slap contests,” Victor noted that while slap contests do have a small degree of skill, they’re still far from the strategic rigor of sports like arm wrestling. He expressed hope that legitimate sports requiring strength, like arm wrestling, would gain more mainstream respect, as they offer actual athletic value compared to “gimmick” contests.
Exploring Stem Cell Therapy: Is It for Everyone?
The podcast also delved into stem cell therapy and its potential benefits for athletes facing long-term physical ailments. Ronnie Coleman, a former Mr. Olympia, has been vocal about using stem cell therapy to aid in his recovery, but he still struggles with mobility issues. While Ronnie has expressed appreciation for stem cell treatment, his physical limitations suggest that while beneficial, the therapy isn’t a cure-all.
Victor Martinez highlighted the financial barriers to accessing stem cell therapy, as it remains costly and often uncovered by insurance. For those who can afford it, however, the therapy can offer significant improvements in pain management and injury recovery. Ehsan pointed out that while current research shows promising results, there is still much to learn about stem cell therapy’s long-term impact.
Future advancements may make it more accessible and effective for a broader population, but it remains an emerging treatment, rather than a guaranteed solution, for complex injuries.
Reflecting on Nick Walker’s Decision to Sit Out the Olympia
One of the episode’s closing discussions centered around Victor’s perspective on Nick Walker’s decision to forgo the Olympia competition. Walker, a promising bodybuilder, surprised fans by choosing not to compete, possibly due to concerns about his readiness. Victor and Ehsan both voiced disappointment in Walker’s decision, with Victor suggesting that second place alone would have secured a substantial $250,000 prize—a worthwhile reward even if he felt his chances of winning were slim.
Victor Martinez speculated that Nick may have placed undue pressure on himself, which could have influenced his decision to withdraw. Victor encouraged Walker to consider participating in the Arnold Classic, where he could face competitors like Samson Dauda, giving him a chance to prove himself without the overwhelming pressure of the Olympia stage. He raised an important question about whether Walker could mentally overcome the setback of missing Olympia for two consecutive years, a challenge that could impact his confidence moving forward.
In contrast, Ehsan offered a more critical view, expressing doubt that Walker possesses the physique needed to secure a Mr. Olympia title. He argued that Walker’s frame may limit his ability to compete at the highest levels, a viewpoint that sparked some debate about what it takes to excel in the upper echelons of bodybuilding today.
Wrap Up
In sum, the Generation Iron Podcast offers an authentic look at the complexities of modern bodybuilding, balancing performance enhancement, mental resilience, and health. This episode underscores the hosts’ commitment to educating and inspiring athletes at all levels, proving once again why this podcast remains a trusted resource in the fitness community.
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!
