Many champion bodybuilders, like Phil Heath, have narrated how disciplined they needed to be to pursue bodybuilding. Earlier this year, reigning five-time Classic Physique Olympia Chris Bumstead appeared on seven-time 212 Olympia winner Flex Lewis’s podcast. During the podcast, Bumstead narrated how he had to sacrifice various elements of his social life to become a champion.
Modern-day bodybuilding icon Jay Cutler also narrated how he similarly sacrificed a social life to become a four-time champion. In the resurfaced video, the 50-year-old explained his lifestyle and day-to-day habits. Cutler went to such extremes that he named his method the “boxy lifestyle.”
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Jay Cutler thrived despite the monotony
On February 27, 2022, Cutler appeared on the Wealthy Way YouTube channel for a podcast. The former Mr. Olympia explained the mindset that made him a winner during the podcast. The man who dethroned Ronnie Coleman said that during his competitive bodybuilding career, he wasn’t a “social person.” Cutler said he “locked” himself indoors and only stepped out to train twice per day.
Jay Cutler was determined to beat the dominant eight-time champion, Ronnie Coleman. So, the Comeback Kid took his routine to the extreme. “I literally prepped my meal as I ate, and I would eat six or seven meals a day,” said the bodybuilding legend. Unlike many bodybuilders, Jay Cutler cooked all his meals fresh.
While many have no qualms about meal prepping for a whole week, Cutler “didn’t believe in microwaving.” He would make everything fresh and spend hours in the kitchen. Cutler “restricted” travel and only focused on the routine. “I lived in a box… Kitchen, gym, sleep… It’s like a bubble,” explained Cutler in the resurfaced video. While every champion has their own method, Cutler’s experience lines up with that of fellow bodybuilding icons.
How Phil Heath and Cbum built their lives around bodybuilding
Phil ‘The Gift’ Heath once explained how much he sacrificed to become a seven-time, Mr. Olympia. When starting his career, unlike his basketball buddies, Heath didn’t party during prep. The Gift explained that while his college basketball teammates could party when they weren’t training, however, he couldn’t, as any indiscipline in diet or recovery would’ve had consequences.
Similarly, Chris Bumstead explained that throughout the day, his life revolves around training. While Cbum said he carves a good amount of free time, he mostly spends it relaxing on his own or with his closest people. Bumstead’s options remain limited, even when he goes out for dinner during the offseason.
While Jay Cutler’s routine may sound extreme, all elite bodybuilders have made such sacrifices to become successful.
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Abhishek Kumar Das