by Matt Weik
I’ve all the time been a fan of Victor Martinez, and after I would journey to New Jersey on enterprise, I might all the time make it some extent (even when it had been out of my manner) to drive to Edgewater to eat at his Muscle Maker Grill location.
Victor doesn’t know me from a gap within the wall as I’m not some fanboy who’s going to trouble him at his enterprise when he’s attempting to get stuff executed or hit him up on social media like some loopy stalker. I merely help the man and respect what he’s executed for the game of bodybuilding. However I not too long ago noticed an interview with him that I actually don’t agree with.
Once more, I wish to reiterate that I’ve nothing in opposition to Victor. This text isn’t a private shot at him, however extra of a distinction of opinions based mostly on what he stated.
Bodybuilding Followers Are Disloyal — Says Victor Martinez
In a current Era Iron YouTube video, Victor was questioned about his ideas relating to the bodybuilding fanbase and if he felt strain from followers following his jail sentence and lack of dimension.
The very first thing Victor stated was, “hell no.” Which I’m glad he wasn’t bothered by some individuals considering he was executed and can by no means do nicely within the sport ever once more. However within the subsequent breath, he began speaking in regards to the feedback he would learn on web sites about him. To be sincere, that doesn’t sound like somebody who doesn’t care what individuals suppose. Why exit seeking feedback if, in the long run, they imply nothing to you? So, from the beginning, that made no sense.
He then will get into Arnold’s feedback following his “Screw your freedom” assertion and mentions that additional exhibits that followers are disloyal. I’m going to voice my opinion right here, and folks can clearly disagree, however had been Arnold’s phrases taken out of context? Some could say so. However for an immigrant to come back to the US and be in his place, his alternative of phrases (for my part) was horrible.
To ever say, “Screw your freedom,” when your following and monetary freedom had been constructed off the power to dwell free, capitalism, and so on., he ought to have by no means had these phrases come out of his mouth. If bashing Arnold for saying that’s being disloyal, then Arnold is disloyal to the US and what it was constructed upon. However this text isn’t about Arnold.
Transferring together with Victor’s interview, he then stated that perhaps different sports activities have extra loyal followers than bodybuilding. Right here’s my tackle that. I’ve by no means seen anybody utterly flip who they observe within the IFBB. Those that observe Phil Heath are diehard Phil followers. Even after he misplaced the Olympia, nobody turned their again on him. Did individuals query his future? Certain. However that’s all opinionated and hypothesis. It’s not a matter of somebody being disloyal or turning their backs on him. And other people have the power to observe a couple of bodybuilder, which leads me to my subsequent main level.
You Have been in Jail… Bro.
What I believe occurred with Victor is that after his arrest, individuals moved on. Why would somebody essentially persist with him if he’s not competing? They produce other bodybuilders that additionally they observe and help.
I believe one of many hardest issues to undergo was what Shawn Rhoden skilled. He went from successful the Olympia to allegations of rape in a matter of months. The IFBB banned him from competing, and the bodybuilding trade was questioning what the best determination to make was and whether or not or not Shawn was harmless or responsible. Regardless, followers moved on and began following opponents who had been in a position to compete since there was actually nothing to observe with Shawn apart from his life since he wasn’t in a position to step on stage.
Victor’s state of affairs is (kinda) much like Shawn’s in that he couldn’t compete when he was locked up, and subsequently, followers moved on. If somebody adopted Michael Jordan and was a fan, they’re nonetheless a fan to at the present time, however they could have moved on to being a fan of LeBron now since he’s truly enjoying. That doesn’t imply individuals forgot about MJ, and so they’re disloyal.
I don’t suppose anybody would argue that Victor was something however an excellent competitor. Whether or not they moved on or not, when was the final time we noticed Victor on stage? There’s my level.
Jay Cutler, after retiring, is doing simply high quality. His followers nonetheless observe him, they purchase his stuff, they take heed to his podcast, and so they watch his YouTube channel. What’s Victor doing? *crickets*
If something, Victor bailed on his followers, not the opposite manner round. He’s doing nothing for his followers proper now apart from attempting to promote issues on his Dominican Dominator web site. So, what actual worth is Victor offering followers? Does he have a YouTube channel or podcast to offer his followers with the power to observe him and get worth and data from him? No. Everybody has to pay for one thing with a purpose to have interaction with him. That’s not what different persons are doing. So, what’s the purpose? It’s not like we’re speaking about an Olympia winner who took house a Sandow and is within the historical past books.
Persons are judged by their actions, not their phrases. Victor can say no matter he desires, however the majority of IFBB execs by no means went to jail or had points with the legislation. And that’s not a knock at Victor, it’s simply the reality. Victor went to jail, which is why it looks like unexpectedly, he feels that individuals turned their again on him and stated his profession within the sport was over.
Transferring alongside, he continues to say he doesn’t care what individuals say about him. Then he rolls proper into how individuals on the web had been saying he’s going to get deported again to the Dominican Republic, which he then stated, and I quote, “I need you bitches [sic] I’m a citizen, you already know, screw you mom*ckers.” Does that basically sound like somebody who doesn’t care what others say?
Pay attention, all in all, I’ve nothing in opposition to Victor Martinez. If he comes again to the stage, I’ll nonetheless help him. If he stays away from the stage, focuses on his well being and longevity, and desires to construct his varied companies, I’ll help him. However to say that bodybuilding followers are disloyal will not be correct.
