Bodybuilding Legend Jay Cutler Discusses The Rock & TRT: ‘I’ll Never Say It’s Not A Steroid’

Jay Cutler is an all-time bodybuilding great and still an ambassador of the sport since his retirement in 2013. In a recent interview at the 2023 Arnold Classic, Cutler discussed intense bodybuilding diets, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson‘s claim of being natural. 

“His nutrition is on point, he works with some of the best people. I believe he can maintain a great body,” Jay Cutler said about The Rock. 

Leaving an unforgettable mark on the Men’s Open division in the mid-2000s, Cutler became one of bodybuilding’s hottest names with a freakishly huge and conditioned physique. His persistence at the highest level paid off as he would become the man to dethrone the eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman.

Cutler ‘separated himself from society’ and ‘went to a dark place’ to defeat Coleman en route to four Mr. Olympia titles. He’s stressed the intensity of their rivalry on a number of occasions. Cutler used high-volume workouts to mimic the tempo and rhythm of Coleman’s training sessions. 

Fans continue to call for Cutler’s bodybuilding return but he said he has no intention of making a comeback. While Cutler attracted attention for his shredded physique at 49, the four-time Mr. Olympia explained that he’s transforming his physique as part of a ‘fit for 50’ challenge. He also mentioned he will use TRT only and plans to stay away from other bodybuilding drugs like Trenbolone. 

Jay Cutler Shares 6,000-Calorie Diet, Reflects on Using TRT During Career: “We Were Trying to Build As Much Muscle As Possible” 

During his career, Cutler was consuming a staggering 350-400 grams of protein daily. In addition, he revealed that many of his diets required “anywhere from 400 to 1,000 grams of carbohydrates.” In the past, Cutler shared that he ate over 140 egg whites a day at the height of his tenure. 

“We always followed a higher protein diet. So, what we tried to do, take at least a gram of lean body mass, I was eating… 350-400 grams of protein a day, which mainly came from meat and eggs — steak, chicken, turkey, I’d have 20 egg whites for breakfast. An average sized meal would be 12-16 ounces of meat.

A lot of days I would eat almost four pounds of meat a day. I was eating six, seven, eight times. The carbohydrates were outrageous. I mean, anywhere from 400 to 1,000 grams of carbohydrates a day. The thing is, is the consistent eating. As I built more muscle, I needed to eat more, so by the end, when I was winning my final Olympia, I won four; retired in 2013. I mean, I was eating 6,000 calories a day, a lot of days, which is a lot,” Cutler shared. 

Cutler says testosterone is a steroid but highlighted several reasons why someone might take TRT or hormone replacement therapy. He believes as people age, “they’re trying to replenish and find the fountain of youth.”

“Of course, it [testosterone] is [a steroid]. The only thing is, now we have special terms called HRT or hormone replacement, basically replacing, especially as you get older – studies show, not exactly everyone, but testosterone levels can drop and that can happen not only with age, but lack of diet, sleep patterns, stress. So, what people are trying to do now, they’re trying to replenish and find the fountain of youth. They’re actually taking testosterone to bring their levels to a healthy level and that’s what a lot of these doctors’ prescriptions are doing now.

The problem is, society has looked upon that like, ‘well, you’re using HRT as an excuse to be enhanced right,’ but most people are just trying to replace what they lost with age or these deficits with their lifestyle. In our case, no question. We were trying to build as much muscle as possible. So, early on, the use of testosterone, when I was in my 20s – that was to build bigger muscle. There was no question. That’s why I’ll never say that it was not a steroid,” Cutler added. 

Cutler Questions The Rock’s Steroid Accusations, ‘He’s Not Super Overly Muscular’ 

Despite allegations regarding TRT/steroid use, Cutler credits The Rock’s physique to the gym and nutrition. 

“Listen, if we’re going to talk about Dwayne Johnson, I know what Dwayne does. I mean, he’s been around the fitness community. I’ve known Dwayne before he became really big even in wrestling. I see his dedication. I know that dedication. Certain people can maintain a body, and the thing is, to stay consistent, you notice, Dwayne really doesn’t change. His physique is always – he’s in shape. 

One thing I can honestly say and people may look at me different for this, but Dwayne isn’t that big to me. As far as, he’s in shape, and he’s cut and lean but he’s just a big guy. He’s not super overly muscular. So, when people say he’s gotta be taking this and that, I believe because of his dedication, you see him training – I mean, the gym goes everywhere with him.”

This isn’t the first time Cutler has made comments about Dwayne Johnson’s natural or not status. In a recent Michael Sartain Podcast, the 49-year-old addressed whether or not The Rock and Mike O’Hearn use steroids and/or TRT. During the interview, Cutler said he respects that Johnson and O’Hearn choose to not talk about the subject. 

RELATED: Jay Cutler Opens Up on Steroid Use During Competitive Bodybuilding: “I Think I Abused Drugs”

Since Liver King’s recent steroid exposé, fans have called on other notable personalities to disclose their steroid use. Given the private nature of the subject, Cutler understands why many people choose to stay silent. 

You can watch the full video below: 

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