Justin Compton believes there was no world where Kai Greene could have won Mr. Olympia due to politics – Kai has some thoughts about that
In a recent episode of the Kai Greene Effect, bodybuilder and host Kai Greene reacts to recent comments made by Justin Compton. He claimed that due to Kai’s controversial past, there was no way judges would ever let him win Mr. Olympia – even if Phil Heath didn’t compete. Kai holds nothing back in his response.
Here’s a breakdown of the topics discussed in this week’s episode:
- Kai reacts to Justin Compton’s comments about Kai vs Phil, Olympia, and the politics behind Kai’s placement
- Kai Greene shares his 2026 New Years resolutions
- Looking back at the bodybuilders we have lost in 2025 – Kai reflects on health in bodybuilding
- Kai answers another lightening round of fan questions
You can watch the full episode of Kai Greene Effect above. Keep reading for an in-depth breakdown of the discussion below. Let’s dive in!
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The highlight of the episode centers on comments made by bodybuilder Justin Compton – who claimed on the Overcome Podcast that Kai Greene would never have won the Mr. Olympia due to political reasons tied to Kai’s past. He went as far as to say that even if Phil Heath had been unable to compete, judges would have awarded the title to a third-place competitor rather than Kai.
Kai doesn’t dodge the topic, but he doesn’t dramatize it either. His response is direct and rooted in logic.
First, Kai Greene makes it clear that Justin Compton’s statement is an opinion. Nothing more. Compton has no insider information, no verified knowledge of judges’ decisions, and no concrete evidence to support such a claim. Kai points out that Compton doesn’t have a massive platform like a Joe Rogan-level following, nor does he hold a position that grants him special access to Olympia decision-making.
From Kai’s perspective, this is someone speaking with certainty about something they don’t actually know. And when people do that, especially publicly, it often has less to do with truth and more to do with attention.
Kai doesn’t mince words. If someone is speaking on a subject that has nothing to do with them and they have no real facts to back it up, his advice is blunt: “Just shut the fuck up.”
He goes further by breaking down why Compton’s opinion carries no special authority. Justin Compton is not a multi-time Mr. Olympia champion. He’s not a judge. He hasn’t sat down with Olympia officials to uncover hidden rules or biases. Even if he were asked about Kai during an interview, Kai points out that there’s always the option to opt out rather than speculate.
Kai uses a sharp but telling metaphor, describing Compton as “a squirrel just trying to get a nut.” In other words, someone chasing attention like anyone else online. No more credible than a fan watching the show from their couch.
Kai also challenges the idea of certainty itself. How can anyone say, with absolute confidence, what would have happened in a hypothetical Olympia where Phil Heath didn’t compete while Kai was still in his prime? Those scenarios never happened, and speculation doesn’t turn into fact just because it’s stated loudly.
He adds another layer by pointing out that several Mr. Olympia champions have had skeletons in their closets. Yet those skeletons didn’t stop them from winning. So why would Kai’s past, real or perceived, uniquely disqualify him?
Ultimately, Kai believes he worked hard enough to be judged on the merits of his physique and his performance, not gossip or narratives. He believes he earned that respect, regardless of what the record books say.
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Kai Greene’s 2026 Resolutions: Gratitude and Contribution Beyond Competition
As the episode opens, Kai Greene reflects on his 2025 year with a tone that’s calm and thoughtful. He makes it clear that gratitude is front and center for him right now. Looking back, his biggest takeaway isn’t about trophies, rankings, or missed opportunities. It’s the realization that he still has a lot to contribute to the world, even without competing in bodybuilding.
For fans who still associate Kai primarily with the Mr. Olympia stage, this is an important point. Kai doesn’t frame retirement as an ending. Instead, he sees it as a shift. His contribution now comes through teaching, storytelling, mentorship, and using his platform to speak honestly about the sport and about life.
He acknowledges that bodybuilding was a major chapter, but not the only one. For Kai, 2026 isn’t about reclaiming a title or proving something to critics. It’s about continuing to give value. That value may show up in podcasts, appearances, creative projects, or moments of guidance for younger athletes trying to navigate a complicated industry.
The message is simple but powerful: your worth doesn’t disappear when one phase of your life ends. If anything, experience gives you more to offer.
Bodybuilding Deaths and the Reality of a Hyper-Connected World
The episode also takes a sober turn as Kai Greene addresses the recent deaths within the bodybuilding and strength sports community, including former Mr. America Dean Tornabene, 29-year-old LaMarcus Morris, and strongman Pa O’Dwyer at just 40 years old.
Kai is careful here. He doesn’t sensationalize the topic or downplay the loss. He acknowledges how tragic it is when athletes, or any human beings, die too young. That reality deserves respect.
At the same time, Kai provides important context. We now live in a world of instant information. Social media, news feeds, and online communities mean that information spreads instantly. Bodybuilding has always been a niche industry, but now that niche has full access to the internet.
In the past, many of these stories might never have reached the broader community. Kai recalls a time when fans had to wait three months just to learn the results of the Mr. Olympia because it wasn’t broadcast and magazines took time to print. Today, everything is immediate.
Because of that, Kai doesn’t believe the recent string of deaths necessarily means bodybuilding has suddenly become more dangerous. It may simply be that we are more aware of every corner of the sport.
Still, awareness doesn’t remove responsibility. Kai stresses that these moments should cause everyone to pause and sober up. Dangerous drugs are being used. Risks are being taken. That reality can’t be ignored.
This is why Kai says he takes questions about substances like diuretics, SARMs, and steroids very seriously. He’s clear that he’s not a medical expert, but he understands the general risks. Because of that, he refuses to be casual or joking about the dangerous side of bodybuilding.
His message is clear: anyone with a platform has a responsibility to use it carefully. Words matter. Influence matters. Lives can be affected.
Lightning Round: Mental Strength, Training With Kai, and Industry Conspiracies
Making Energy When You’re Running on Empty
When asked about mental strategies during times of extreme fatigue and stress, especially during contest prep, Kai Greene shares a quote from a former training partner that stuck with him for years: “I make energy.”
The idea reframes everything. Food isn’t just fuel you consume. Training isn’t just effort you endure. Your body is constantly converting what you do into energy. When you think that way, discipline becomes automatic.
That’s why, when someone offers a cookie and says one won’t hurt, the temptation disappears. It was never an option. Every choice either contributes to or takes away from the energy you’re building.
Kai also explains the mental difference between your first contest prep and your fifth. Early on, you question what’s possible. You don’t know if the work will pay off. After years of experience, that doubt fades. You’ve proven to yourself what you can do. The mindset becomes more rational and confident. It’s no longer “Is this worth it?” but “This is worth it. Now I refine it.”
On Jay Cutler, Politics, and Conspiracies
A fan comment suggests that Derek Lunsford’s Olympia win was due to industry politics tied to Jay Cutler’s influence. Kai dismisses the idea quickly. To him, conspiracies are a waste of time.
He believes people would be shocked by how much they could accomplish if they focused on self-improvement instead of believing the world is against them. No one hands out rewards for free. But honest, consistent work can earn them.
Fixating on politics and conspiracies only distracts from progress. Kai’s advice is straightforward: focus on your goal. Don’t focus on the world working against you.
Final Thoughts
This episode of The Kai Greene Effect is a reminder of why Kai’s voice still carries weight. He doesn’t pretend to have all the answers. He doesn’t sugarcoat reality. And he doesn’t chase validation.
As Kai looks toward 2026, his focus is clear. Contribute. Speak honestly. Respect the responsibility that comes with influence. And keep moving forward, regardless of narratives written by others.
That mindset, more than any title, may be his greatest legacy.
