Pro Bodybuilder Victor Martinez joins Kai Greene on the podcast to discuss their time bodybuilding in NYC and whether or not Victor hates Jay Cutler after the 2007 Mr. Olympia
This week we have a very special episode of the Kai Greene Effect podcast. Kai Greene welcomes a special guest who shares deep roots with him in both the sport and the city that helped shape them – professional bodybuilder Victor Martinez.
Kai Greene and Victor Martinez are not just fellow IFBB pros. They were contemporaries who lived, trained, and competed in New York City during their prime years.
They were also both featured in the original Generation Iron documentary, a film that captured a turning point in modern bodybuilding. On this episode of the Kai Greene Effect, the two sit down to reminisce about their early years, reflect on adversity, and revisit one of the most debated moments in bodybuilding history: the 2007 Mr. Olympia.
Here’s a quick overview of the topics they discuss:
- Kai Greene and Victor Martinez swap stories about bodybuilding in NYC
- Victor shares his favorite memory of Kai Greene in NYC
- Does Kai get free passes to gyms due to his legacy?
- Kai and Victor name their favorite NYC gyms
- Kai and Victor reflect on the 2007 Mr. Olympia – and whether or not Victor hates Jay Cutler
You can watch the full episode of the Kai Greene Effect above. Keep reading for an in-depth breakdown of the episode discussion.
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Growing Up Bodybuilding in New York City
Kai Greene opens the episode by reflecting on his early years training and competing in New York City. During this period, Kai was not only developing his physique but also shaping the visual and artistic identity that would later make him one of the most recognizable figures in bodybuilding.
Kai is known for his elaborate posing routines, theatrical costumes, and unconventional fashion choices. He explains that during his younger years in NYC, his eye-catching outfits often drew criticism. People would openly call him gay simply for the way he dressed. At the time, those comments were frequent and often rooted in misunderstanding rather than actual knowledge of who Kai was or what he stood for.
Victor Martinez agrees and provides important context. He explains that New York City was full of style, expression, and individuality, but reactions depended heavily on where you were. Manhattan culture was far more accepting of artistic and unconventional fashion, while people from the outer boroughs often viewed that same style through a more conservative lens. What was normal or celebrated in one area could be mocked in another.
Victor points out that this same mentality extended to bodybuilding itself. During that era, competitive bodybuilding was often labeled as gay by outsiders. The reason, he says, was simple. People did not understand it. Just as they did not understand Kai Greene’s boundary-pushing clothing or artistic expression, they did not understand the discipline, sacrifice, and obsession that competitive bodybuilding requires.
According to Victor, fear mixed with ignorance often leads to labeling. When people don’t understand something, they try to simplify it, dismiss it, or mock it. Both Kai and Victor lived through that reality while carving out their paths in the sport.
The Motivation of Training Beside Kai Greene
When asked about his favorite memories of Kai Greene during their early bodybuilding years, Victor Martinez does not hesitate. He says that whenever Kai walked into the gym, it changed the atmosphere instantly.
Seeing Kai train pushed everyone else to show up and push harder. His physique, intensity, and work ethic were impossible to ignore. Victor describes this as his greatest memory of Kai. Not a single competition or title, but the way Kai’s presence alone elevated the standard in the gym.
Kai Greene had a reputation even then for blowing people’s minds. His dedication was visible in every set and every rep. For Victor, that was deeply inspiring. It reinforced the idea that greatness is not just about genetics or talent, but about relentless effort and commitment.
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Paying for the Gym Like Everyone Else
Later in the conversation, Vlad brings up a topic from a previous episode of the Generation Iron Podcast. Victor had explained that he always refused free gym passes, even when offered due to his reputation. Vlad asks Kai Greene if he experiences the same situation.
Kai Greene confirms that he does. Over the years, many gyms have offered him free day passes. Kai explains that he almost always insists on paying instead. In some cases, gym owners suggest a trade. They might offer free training access in exchange for promotional content or social media exposure.
Kai makes it clear that he does not entertain those offers. Promotions are part of his business. Whether it involves gyms, supplements, or equipment, that type of work has real value. The promotional return a gym would expect far exceeds the cost of a single day pass.
For Kai, paying for the gym is about respect and boundaries. He wants to train like everyone else, without obligation or expectation. It reflects a professional mindset and a clear separation between training and business.
Favorite Gyms in New York City
Vlad then asks Kai Greene which gyms he would revisit if he returned to New York City. Kai now lives in Florida and has not spent much time in NYC in recent years, but the memories remain strong.
Kai says there are many gyms he would love to revisit. One stands out above the rest: Bev Francis Powerhouse Gym, often referred to as the East Coast Mecca. For generations of bodybuilders, that gym has been sacred ground. Kai says it is always a must-visit whenever he is in New York.
Victor Martinez adds that he does not get to visit the East Coast Mecca as often as he would like. The gym is located on Long Island, and with children, family responsibilities, and a different phase of life, it is harder to make the trip. Still, the respect and connection to that place remain.
Overcoming Health Scares and Life Challenges
The conversation turns more serious as Victor Martinez discusses his spinal infection and the surgery that followed. Kai Greene pauses to acknowledge the magnitude of what Victor has endured throughout his life and career.
Kai speaks openly about Victor’s resilience. Between legal troubles, major health scares, and personal setbacks, many bodybuilders would have walked away from the sport entirely. Victor did not. Each time, he returned as if it was business as usual.
Kai describes this as a rare constitution. A combination of optimism, focus, and mental strength that cannot be taught. It is the same mentality that allowed Victor to build an elite physique and compete at the highest level for years. According to Kai, that mindset is what truly separates Victor Martinez from many of his peers.
Victor responds with humility. He credits his ability to overcome challenges to his support system. Family, friends, and figures within the bodybuilding industry played a critical role. He specifically mentions Steven Weinberger and others in New York City who supported him through both good times and bad.
Victor makes it clear that no one succeeds alone. His journey, both in bodybuilding and life, was shaped by the people who stood by him when things were not easy.
Revisiting the 2007 Mr. Olympia
One of the most anticipated moments of the episode comes when Vlad asks Kai Greene if he was present at the 2007 Mr. Olympia. That competition remains one of the most debated events in bodybuilding history. Victor Martinez finished second to Jay Cutler, missing the title by the narrowest of margins.
Kai explains that he was not competing at the Olympia at that time. He was watching as a fan of the sport. He recalls joking afterward that Jay Cutler might have needed therapy following that show. The competition was so close that it likely shook Jay’s confidence and forced him to question his dominance as champion.
Kai goes further, stating plainly that the entire bodybuilding world knew the decision was questionable. In his words, it stands out like a sore thumb in the history of the sport. Many fans and athletes believed Victor Martinez could have, and perhaps should have, won.
Victor responds with restraint and professionalism. He explains that he does not like to dwell on the topic out of respect for Jay Cutler and the sport itself. Fans often ask if he hates Jay because of that loss. Victor shuts that down completely.
He has no ill will toward Jay Cutler. Jay did not make the decision. Victor acknowledges Jay as an incredible bodybuilder and a strong ambassador for bodybuilding. That respect has never wavered.
Victor does admit that fans frequently tell him they believe he won the 2007 Mr. Olympia. Hearing that from the broader bodybuilding community gives him pride. Regardless of the judges’ decision, many people trust their eyes and feel Victor was the better bodybuilder on that day.
Kai adds that Jay Cutler himself has acknowledged how close the competition was. Jay has never acted arrogant about that win and has consistently given Victor Martinez credit. Kai says that humility is deeply respectable and speaks to Jay’s character.
Wrap Up
This episode of the Kai Greene Effect is more than a nostalgic look back. It is a reminder of what bodybuilding represents beyond trophies and titles. The discussion touches on individuality, resilience, respect, and the shared history that binds athletes together long after the competitions are over.
Kai Greene and Victor Martinez represent a generation shaped by New York City, by misunderstanding, and by relentless drive. Their conversation offers fans rare insight into the mental and cultural realities of bodybuilding at the highest level.
