How Victor Martinez Sold Stolen Car To Fund Bodybuilding | GI Podcast

To highlight the financial challenges of being a bodybuilder, Victor Martinez reveals that he had to sell a stolen car just to be able to compete

In a recent episode of the Generation Iron Podcast, host Victor Martinez covered everything from fan critiques of the sport’s honesty to a 100-year-old bodybuilding phenom, viral strength genetics, and bold takes on the sport’s rising stars. With a signature blend of insight, personal experience, and raw perspective, the crew broke down the realities behind bodybuilding’s toughest questions. Victor Martinez also breaks down why he had to sell a stolen car in his youth in order to financially afford to compete in a bodybuilding show.

Here’s a quick breakdown of topics discussed in this week’s episode:

• Are bodybuilding analysts holding back their real opinions when it comes to judging physiques?
• Is today’s generation of bodybuilding diminishing in quality? Victor thinks so – and he thinks lack of finances for the athletes is to blame.
• Victor Martinez reacts to a 100 year old bodybuilder who competed on stage.
• Victor gets real about Brock Lesnar’s daughter dominating shot put and going viral.
• Who would win in a bodybuilding competition – Sam Sulek vs Larry Wheels? Victor answers
• Victor cosigns Keone Pearson to be a “force to be reckoned with” in Men’s Open.
• What improvements does Hadi Choopan need to regain his Mr. Olympia title?

You can watch the full episode of the Generation Iron Podcast above. Keep reading for a more detailed breakdown of this week’s discussion. Let’s dive in!

Are Bodybuilding Coaches and Commentators Afraid to Be Honest?

A fan question lit the spark early in the episode: “Why aren’t people brutally honest in bodybuilding the way they are in other sports?” The listener cited athletes like Regan Grimes, Sergio Oliva Jr., and Hunter Labrada—bodybuilders often described as “a coach away” or “one offseason from greatness.” But the fan argues these are just mid-tier pros, and the industry sugarcoats it.

Victor Martinez addressed it head-on: What even is “honest” in bodybuilding? He challenged the assumption that commentary on athletes is intentionally dishonest. Sometimes, what sounds like sugarcoating might be a genuine belief. Not every optimistic take is delusion—it could be sincere. He emphasized that honesty is subjective in a sport driven by opinion, aesthetics, and ever-changing standards.

Edwin Mejia Jr. raised another layer: Is the current field stronger or weaker than in past eras? Victor didn’t hesitate—it’s weaker. Men’s Open is seeing a decline in the mass monsters who once defined it. Why? Social media, for one. There are more ways now to make money and build a following without destroying your body. And more physique categories have made the Men’s Open less of a destination and more of a specialty.

Victor painted a sobering picture: Competing professionally in bodybuilding is a money pit. Supplement stacks, food, coaching, travel—expenses pile up. Unless you’re already a top-tier athlete with sponsorships, it’s financial survival mode. Prize money has improved, but not enough to move the needle. Martinez has long advocated for bigger prize pools to make the sport viable for more athletes.

He even shared a brutally honest moment from his own life: early in his career, Victor Martinez sold a stolen car just to afford a competition. It highlights the harsh truth—bodybuilding doesn’t take care of its athletes unless they’re already elite. The system isn’t built for sustainability at the lower levels. That discourages new talent and ultimately stunts the sport’s growth.

Vlad Yudin summed it up best: That’s as honest as it gets. So to the fan wondering where the brutal honesty is—it’s right here on the podcast.

100-Year-Old Bodybuilder Defies Limits (And Bureaucracy)

In what might be the most jaw-dropping story of the week, the hosts discussed a 100-year-old veteran who recently competed in a bodybuilding show. Victor said no headline can do it justice. Just showing up to pose on stage at 100 years old is unreal. It’s more than just an age number—it’s physical proof of lifelong discipline and resilience.

However, the achievement hit a roadblock: Guinness World Records denied him the official title of “oldest bodybuilder” due to a technicality. The competition wasn’t sanctioned by a league they recognize—namely, the IFBB Pro League. But as the crew agreed, that kind of red tape misses the point entirely. Whether or not Guinness gives it a stamp of approval, the entire fitness world saw what this man accomplished.

Victor called it more impressive than what many 30-year-olds can do today. That level of drive and passion deserves recognition beyond any rulebook.

Mya Lesnar Goes Viral—Strength Runs in the Bloodline

Next up: Brock Lesnar’s daughter, Mya Lesnar, made headlines and went viral for her jacked physique and dominance in shot put. Victor celebrated her rise, calling it a beautiful continuation of Brock’s legacy.

But he didn’t stop there—Victor addressed the internet hate aimed at Mya’s “non-traditional” physique. His message was loud and clear: Critics are weak. Hiding behind social media anonymity to insult a young woman’s strength and build is cowardly. Victor emphasized that Mya’s look is a result of high-level athleticism and purpose-built training—not something that deserves mockery.

Larry Wheels vs. Sam Sulek: Who Will Win the Long Game?

The hosts then dove into a bodybuilding debate that’s been brewing online: Larry Wheels vs. Sam Sulek—who has more potential?

Victor broke it down: Larry Wheels’ main strength is exactly that—his strength. He’s a powerhouse. But strength alone doesn’t win bodybuilding shows. It’s about symmetry, conditioning, proportions, and posing—areas where Sam Sulek is laser-focused. Sam has trained for bodybuilding from day one, while Larry is transitioning into it from powerlifting and general fitness.

Larry’s recent Classic Physique pro card win was legit—but came in a small show in Ireland. The question is: how will he do against deep, stacked lineups of top-tier pros? That remains to be seen. Meanwhile, Sam Sulek has shown insane potential but hasn’t stepped on a pro stage yet either.

Both plan to compete in 2026. So for now, it’s all speculation—but the matchup could define the next generation of bodybuilding.

Jay Cutler: Keone Pearson Could Be the New Ronnie Coleman

Victor Martinez lit up at Jay Cutler’s recent comments comparing Keone Pearson to a young Ronnie Coleman. That’s not light praise—it’s a seismic statement.

Victor agrees with Jay. Keone has the tools to dominate the Men’s Open division—it’s just a matter of timing. Right now, Keone still competes in the 212 class. Victor suspects Keone will do one more show in 212 to cement his legacy there, then move up and “unleash the beast.”

Victor believes Keone is the real deal—he just needs to pick the right moment to level up. When he does, the Men’s Open better watch out.

Steve Weinberger’s Surprising Feedback to Hadi Choopan

In a rare moment of public critique, head judge Steve Weinberger offered Hadi Choopan some specific advice: develop a thicker back and improve the “tap” to his delts. Victor was surprised by the critique on Hadi’s delts, especially from the front where they look, in his words, like torpedoes. But he acknowledged that Steve must be talking about a specific angle or area, since he’s judging from a unique vantage point.

Still, in Victor’s eyes, Hadi’s hamstrings are the real weak point. It’s not a knock—it’s just where he sees room for improvement.

The discussion then moved to another top competitor—Michal Krizo. In a recent video, Steve Weinberger was seen judging Krizo’s physique. Victor praised Krizo’s incredible conditioning at the New York Pro, calling it the best of the entire show. But he critiqued Krizo’s posing transitions, which can blur the presentation of his physique. Despite that, Victor believes Krizo has the best arms in the game right now.

Wrap Up

This episode of the Generation Iron Podcast was a masterclass in no-BS commentary on the sport of bodybuilding. From honest critiques to stories of grit and greatness, the hosts delivered what the fan asked for—real talk. Whether it was the reality of financial struggles in pro bodybuilding, celebrating a 100-year-old legend, or predicting the future of stars like Keone Pearson and Sam Sulek, the panel didn’t hold back.

And that’s exactly what makes this podcast a must-listen: it doesn’t play it safe. It tells the truth—however complicated, controversial, or uncomfortable it might be.

You can watch the latest episode at the top of this article. And don’t forget to check back every week on the Generation Iron Fitness Network or wherever podcasts are downloaded!