He was already a Hall of Famer. Five seconds made Jay Cutler a legend.
From the very beginning, Jay Cutler was different. His physique, his presence on stage, even his hair – everything about him set him apart in the world of bodybuilding. His rise to fame culminated in back-to-back Mr. Olympia titles in 2006 and 2007, solidifying his place among the sport’s elite.
But after finishing as the runner-up in 2008 (one of a record six times he would hold that position), many wondered if his reign was short-lived. Up until that point, no competitor had ever regained the Mr. Olympia title after losing it.
Then came the “The Quad Stomp”.
In 2009, standing on stage next to Dexter Jackson, the man who took his title the year prior, the two were showing off their physiques when Cutler did something unexpected.
He bent over and patted Jackson’s quad, then he shook his left thigh, raised his leg and slammed it down with force, tensing every muscle. The muscles in his quad exploded into a display of ripped perfection, showcasing his complete mastery over his physique. The crowd was sent into an uproar.
While many factors contributed to Cutler’s comeback, that one move is often credited with sealing his victory, making him the first bodybuilder to ever regain the Mr. Olympia title.
More than a decade and a fourth later, that one move, combined with his overwhelming influence in the sport, has cemented Cutler’s name in the upper echelons, as few have done more for bodybuilding both on and off the stage.
Cutler is often credited with being one of the most influential figures in the modern era of bodybuilding. His high-volume workouts and nutritional discipline were revolutionary for their time. But it was his media savvy and branding that helped set him apart, reaching people who had never before considered bodybuilding. He embraced that aspect, helping him launch his own supplement line, Cutler Nutrition, and his popular podcast, “Cutler Cast”.
Now 51, the small-town boy from Massachusetts has become a global icon, continuing to serve as a powerful ambassador for bodybuilding. Few have worked harder to achieve what he has.
And nothing demonstrates that more than those few unforgettable seconds that forever defined him, his quad, and the future of bodybuilding.
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