Jay Cutler was a dominating force in the late ’90s and early 2000s earning the Mr. Olympia title four times. His experience on bodybuilding’s biggest stage gave him insight into all the mechanics behind carving out a one-of-a-kind physique. In his recent podcast on YouTube, Cutler reveals what it was like during his incredible comeback in 2009 and also discusses overeating in bodybuilding.
Jay Cutler’s tenacity was legendary as he climbed the ranks in bodybuilding. After failing short of ‘The King’ Ronnie Coleman for years, Cutler’s hard work and dedication finally allotted him the Sandow trophy in 2006. Following two strong years as champion, Dexter Jackson stole the throne though Cutler wouldn’t take this loss sitting down.
Seeking vengeance, Cutler returned in 2009 and took back the crown — becoming the only Mr. Olympia to recover the title, earning the nickname “The Comeback Kid.” Jay Cutler would retain his crown until 2011 when he was overthrown by Phil Heath who went on to win Mr. Olympia for seven consecutive years.
Jay Cutler continued competing until 2013 before finally hanging it up. Despite stepping away from the bright lights, Cutler has remained involved in the sport that saw him become a star. From talking about the Open class on his Cutler Cast Podcast to sharing unique workout wisdom, the former four-time Mr. Olympia continues to serve the bodybuilding community.
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Jay Cutler Reflects On Injury And Addresses Bodybuilders’ Diets Since Competing In The 2000s
In a podcast Jay Cutler posted on his YouTube channel, the 50-year-old discusses the impact of his injuries and struggling to come back in 2013. Jay Cutler also touches on how his life was in a state of despair when he decided to retire from the sport.
“There was. I actually now looking back… you tear the bicep and you lose to a guy that for years they talk about ‘Oh, he’s just aesthetically so good.’ He was kinda coming into his own I think honestly if I would have set the game plan back and I still think I could have given a decent run [had I not retired]. It’s kind of like could’ve, should’ve, would’ve, where would I have gone.
The bicep injury really didn’t affect anything really because it was surgically repaired, it was the upper bicep it really never was aesthetic, yeah I reattached it but I had the surgery like six months after because I had guest appearances after.
That didn’t hinder me. But when I made the comeback for 2013, I tore the lower on this one and I wasn’t going to get surgery as it happened when I just started prep. So that did hinder me from the row movements and stuff because I could feel it pull.”
“I was just kinda defeated, I already had the ’09 comeback. Your mind is your biggest obstacle in bodybuilding. You have to have the confidence. Once you lose the confidence which I felt because that whole thing ‘Oh you’re closer to 40.’ Dexter had a couple of years he started to fade and then he came back right.”
“When I did decide to walk away, I was going through a divorce, I lost my dog, which was devastating to me. My contract with Muscletech which was a five-year term was coming to an end and renegotiated and they offered me less money. I looked at it like this window is closing” Jay Cutler shares.
After retiring from bodybuilding, Cutler remains active in the fitness community and offers insight on the current dieting trends compared to the early 2000s when he was competing.
“Bodybuilding in my era dude we didn’t go till we were 40. It wasn’t a thing. Dorian retired early. Lee Haney retired early, so it was like Ronnie Coleman pushed the envelope by going until he was 43 or 44 we hadn’t seen that before. But I feel I beat Ronnie because of the age factor right? Once you get up over 40 it’s really hard to repeat what you look like, like I won my first won at 33.”
“What we take and everything else… I think eating was a factor. The eating is just insanely out of control in my opinion these days. Everyone is trying to be bigger.”
“That was painful for me. Eating was just… oh my gosh. When Hany brought me to seven meals you know Chris had me on six, okay, I got to stay up an extra two-and-a-half hours to get this meal in. The timetable was very difficult.”
“There’s certain genetics and you can only push those genetics so far.”
Jay Cutler isn’t the only bodybuilding legend to take issue with the way in which Open talent fuel their bodies. Former eight-time Mr. Olympia titleholder Lee Haney has also discussed the matter. He believes Open athletes are ‘traumatizing themselves’ with poor diets and are regularly ’60 pounds overweight.’ This sentiment was also shared by 1990’s bodybuilding standout Rich Gaspari.
Aside from that, Cutler has taken a keen interest in his health and physique. He recently underwent a dramatic body transformation he called the ‘Fit-for-50’ challenge. This involved renewed supplementation, diet modifications, and he also made considerable changes to his weightlifting and cardio routine in order to gain muscle and lose body fat simultaneously.
While times have certainly changed since Jay Cutler’s quad-stomping days, he still appreciates the direction of the Men’s Open division. Consuming large quantities of food is necessary for bodybuilders aiming for size, but he believes true growth can be achieved in a more healthy manner.
RELATED: Jay Cutler on Big Ramy’s Future: ‘It’s Difficult to Come Back After Stepping Away’
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