From buying whole cows to training late at night, Jay Cutler didn’t cut corners en route to crafting his bodybuilding résumé. In his latest effort, shared via YouTube on December 2, 2024, he discussed how to become Mr. Olympia. In addition, he laid out the biggest challenges that came with holding the Sandow trophy.
In the 2000s, Jay Cutler‘s trajectory in the Men’s Open was gradual but undeniable. After several runner-up performances behind Ronnie Coleman, he knew one day he would taste Olympia gold. Finally, in 2006, Cutler brought a winning combination of fullness, conditioning, and shape to become the number one bodybuilder in the world.
He held that distinction for a year before his reign was brought to an unceremonious end at the hands of Dexter ‘The Blade’ Jackson. No stranger to adversity, the defeat only lit an even bigger fire under Cutler to outperform his peers. In 2009, he won back the prestigious title and immortalized his name in the sport thanks to his epic quad stomp pose.
Jay Cutler Discusses How He Won Mr. Olympia 4 Times and Its Biggest Challenges
Although he retired in 2013, Cutler hasn’t forgotten what it was like on stage or the challenges that he had to deal with to remain champion. From dietary and training demands to travel obligations, the former four-time Olympia titleholder breaks down exactly how he game-planned to win the sport’s most coveted title.
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“So the hardest part about becoming Mr. Olympia, you know, it’s a passion. I mean I looked at Mr. Olympia when I was 18 years old and I saw pictures of Dorian Yates and of course Lee Haney and Schwarzenegger and I said “Wow, is that even a place where I’m capable of going with my bodybuilding career? But it wasn’t until I actually placed second for the first time versus Ronnie Coleman, I realized I could be Mr. Olympia.”
Cutler explained that several factors were hurdles in the way of bodybuilding glory.
“The biggest challenges, I feel, we talk about the nutrition, the training , the travel schedule, the demand. The diet was very extreme. Seven meals a day, of course, at a bigger body weight, I was at my all time biggest my first Mr. Olympia win in 2006, 273 pounds, I mean upwards of four pounds of meat a day, on a contest diet is eating five pounds of fish a day.”
“I always talk about the 30 egg whites for breakfast. I mean it was just time and time spent in the kitchen cooking the meals, making sure I’m sleeping enough, you know, the training, the regimen.”
In addition to having to eat pounds and pounds of meat, Cutler revealed he was also hitting the gym up to four times a day.
“I was training twice a day for contests. I was training four times a day with all the cardio and the extra things that I did. The massage therapy. It’s not just the time you spend in the gym, it’s outside” Cutler explained.
Finally, Cutler shared that the traveling was also taxing, not only because he was away from his family and friends but also due to the work that went behind his meet-and-greets and charity events.
“The travel schedule was just outrageous. Besides being separated from all social aspects, because I was on the road, doing meet and greets at expos, at charity events, traveling across the globe and meeting with our armed forces people, it was just a lot, a lot of work. Very taxing.”
While it certainly took its toll, Cutler envisioned becoming Mr. Olympia and cherishes the titles he earned to this day.
“A lot of sponsor obligations but that’s what makes Mr. Olympia so unique is you are at the top of the mountain. There is no one better.
I dreamed about it. I envisioned it and I made it happen you know, I went down in history as the 11th Mr. Olympia. It’s something that I cherish still to this day. I still carry that title.”
Having set the standard in the Men’s Open division for years, Cutler’s impact on the Mr. Olympia stage and training strategies are still a trendy topic in the sport. His achievements and workouts have caught the attention of training experts. ‘Hypertrophy Coach’ Joe Bennett has reviewed his quad and chest training, offering valuable insight to lifers eager to advance their strength and physique.
In addition, exercise scientist Dr. Mike Israetel has broken down Cutler’s reign and workouts. He acknowledges that Cutler was one of the most successful Mr. Olympia winners courtesy of his holistic approach to the sport, which included nutrition, training, travel, and willpower.
Jay Cutler continues to inspire fans despite stepping away from the sport a decade ago. He believes mastering time inside the gym and kitchen while balancing travel obligations is key to becoming the number one bodybuilder in the world.
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