Kai Greene talks about the challenge and also the importance of being a natural athlete in a pharmaceutically enhanced world
Bodybuilding icon Kai Greene delivered a powerful and personal episode of the Kai Greene Effect podcast this week, offering fans a rare glimpse into his world, from a surprise birthday trip to Kazakhstan to a no-filter discussion about PEDs, the Enhanced Games, and the evolving landscape of competitive sports. Here’s a full recap of the episode, optimized for those looking for insights into the mind of a champion, reflections on the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports, and the philosophies that define Kai Greene beyond the stage.
Here’s a brief overview of the topics discussed this week:
- Kai Greene celebrates his birthday in Kazakhstan.
- What is the most amount of days that Kai has missed training?
- Kai’s advice for fasted cardio and bodybuilding.
- The Enhanced Games in an already enhanced athletic world.
- Are natural bodybuilding competitions pointless in the NPC and IFBB league framework?
- The best and worst parts of being a pro bodybuilder, according to Kai.
- Kai Greene’s call to Phil Heath after he lost the Mr. Olympia.
You can watch the full episode of the Kai Greene Effect above. Keep reading for a more detailed breakdown of the topics covered. Let’s dive in!
Kai Greene Celebrates His Birthday in Kazakhstan
In a surprising twist, Kai Greene found himself celebrating his birthday in Kazakhstan, where he was invited to attend a bodybuilding and fitness event. Though brief, his comments about the trip were warm and appreciative. Greene emphasized how travel and meeting fans worldwide have given him a deep sense of gratitude and global perspective.
While the celebration was short-lived, it opened the door for a deeper reflection on his roots and how his relationship with fitness remains central to his personal growth.
Training as Therapy: More Than Just Muscles
Kai Greene quickly shifted the conversation from external celebrations to internal strength. He described how, regardless of competition or physical goals, the act of training has always been a therapeutic force in his life.
He talked about how training, especially in difficult times, brings clarity and reminds him of what’s going right rather than wrong. Despite injuries, setbacks, or the pressures of public life, the gym remains his sanctuary.
Fasted Cardio and the Stair Master Ritual
One habit Kai has kept up consistently is fasted cardio. He’s a fan of early morning sessions, and the StairMaster remains his go-to equipment.
It’s not about aesthetics, he emphasized. It’s about mindset. The simplicity of waking up and grinding through sweat and repetition is how he finds peace, focus, and readiness to tackle whatever life brings.
The Enhanced Games: Pushing the Boundaries or Reinventing the Wheel?
One of the most controversial and intriguing topics of the episode centered around the Enhanced Games, a new sporting event set to launch in Las Vegas in 2026. What sets the Enhanced Games apart? Athletes are allowed—and even expected—to use performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) without fear of penalties or drug testing.
Kai Greene didn’t mince words. “They’re trying to reinvent the wheel,” he said. “Let’s not kid ourselves—PEDs have been in pro sports forever. This is just making it official.”
Events for the Enhanced Games will include swimming, sprinting, hurdles, and Olympic-style weightlifting. The pitch is simple: remove the moral constraints and see how far human performance can go.
Kai acknowledged that while it’s controversial, it’s not necessarily a far cry from what already happens behind the scenes. “When you’re trying to be the best in the world, people are going to look for every advantage,” he said. “That’s just the truth.”
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Lance Armstrong and the Ethics of Stripping Titles
The discussion turned toward athletes who’ve lost their accolades due to PED use—like Lance Armstrong. Kai expressed frustration at how selectively rules are enforced.
Kai Greene goes on to say that PEDs don’t make champions—they help them push farther. But the core skill, the mindset, the drive? That’s all down to the individual. In order to become a legendary champion like Armstrong – it requires something deeper than steroids. A massive amount of athletes use steroids to get an edge. But not many reach the level Armstrong achieved.
What makes it worse is that only some get caught while others continue to abuse PEDs and break the rules without being discovered. It was the same problem with the year that the IFBB Pro league decided to do drug testing. They stripped away Shawn Ray’s title – but never drug tested again. Making his punishment pointless ultimately.
Enhanced Games: Psychological Freedom or Slippery Slope?
Co-host Vlad shared his take: the Enhanced Games are less about competition and more of a psychological experiment. What happens when elite athletes know, with full permission, that they can push past every natural limit?
Kai Greene agreed. “It’s a different mental game,” he said. “When you don’t have to hide, you don’t have to lie, it changes how you train. It changes your relationship with risk. And maybe, just maybe, it lets you truly see what’s possible.”
But will the Enhanced Games bring elite talent or remain a fringe curiosity? That remains to be seen.
Natural vs. Enhanced Shows: A Place for Everyone
Kai Greene then reflected on his early days in the NPC and IFBB, when natural and enhanced bodybuilding shows coexisted more visibly.
“There was a lane for everyone,” Kai said. “You could go natural and still compete against others playing by the same rules. And that matters.”
He shared how he pushed his body to its natural limits before ever considering PEDs. That gave him a strong foundation—both physically and ethically.
He also pointed out that during his time, contracts often included morality clauses, which meant you couldn’t speak openly about drug use, regardless of what was happening behind closed doors.
Fan Lightning Round: Triumphs, Losses, and Brotherhood
In the final segment, Kai answered fan questions in a lightning round format. Here are the highlights:
Best and Worst Part of Competing?
Best: The spotlight, the opportunity to showcase what you love.
Worst: The same spotlight. Public failure is harsh. The pressure is real and often invisible until you’re up there on stage.
Defeating Jay Cutler at the 2013 Olympia?
Kai said it was less about defeating a legend and more about the natural evolution of the sport. “Jay was still amazing. Sixth place after holding the Mr. Olympia title? That’s nothing to sneeze at.”
Calling Phil Heath After His Loss to Shawn Rhoden?
“Yes, I did call him,” Kai admitted, despite jokingly denying it at first. He gave Phil his flowers. “He’s the earned king of kings. That doesn’t go away just because of one bad night.”
Kai emphasized respect, dignity, and the importance of acknowledging greatness—even if you once saw that person as a rival.
Wrap Up
This episode of The Kai Greene Effect offered more than just entertainment. It was a lesson in honesty, discipline, and how the rules of sport and life are often murkier than we’d like to admit. From celebrating life in Kazakhstan to examining the future of enhanced athletics, Kai proved once again why he’s more than a bodybuilder—he’s a thinker, a philosopher, and above all, a truth-teller in a sport often built on illusion.
If you’re a fan of bodybuilding, human performance, or just raw, unfiltered conversation, this episode is a must-listen.
