Phil Heath did not become ‘The Gift’ in one day. The man who was nicknamed by his bodybuilding roommate is now a seven-time Olympia winner and he is taking over the world. The man who is jacked, college-educated, an amazing speaker, and an IFBB pro reflected on his life and rivalry with Kai Greene in a new podcast with Chris Williamson.

He got deep into his life and journey into bodybuilding. Phil talked about what it was like being a part of the ‘Generation Iron’ documentary. Heath talked about his relationship with pain and how to conquer small impulses. His relationship with Kai Greene was one of the main topics in the podcast, so let’s see what Heath had to say about this.

Phil Heath talks about his rivalry with Kai Greene

Williamson was talking about the greatest rivalry in bodybuilding that was glorified by the media. This rivalry was between Kai Greene and Phil Heath. Chris Williamson asked Heath, “Talk to me about how you reflect on your relationship with Kai Greene because people call it the greatest rivalry in Bodybuilding.”

To this, Heath gave a positive and wholesome acknowledgment and replied, “I think it is the greatest rivalry. I think it’s bigger than Jay and Ronnie’s just because they were friends, we weren’t.”  He also added that they wanted to be friends but could not be so. Heath added, “We wanted something so far *** bad and during the social media era, one camp, the other camp; they’re talking so much and we can see the chatter. It’s like high school.” 

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So, both had to play psychological warfare, and they decided to remain rivals rather than friends, even after Greene tried to fight with Phil and sign his name as Mr Olympia on Phil’s posters. Heath was mature and decided not to pick this fight with the Arnold classic winner. Phil responded, “Know your opponent.” His strategy was genius, and he researched Kai and made himself bigger and better, and finally handled it well. All these rivalries and squabbles were going on when they never met face to face. Finally, they met face to face on the Olympia stage and fans could not keep their cool since the simmering rivalry came to a full volcanic eruption albeit a silent one. Just like Heath, even long-braided mass monster Kai Greene respected him.

Kai Greene shows respect for his rival Phil Heath

Their rivalry was pretty intense and every time they came on stage, there was tension on the stage. The audience got a huge kick out of their chemistry even if it was hostile on stage. However, during an interview when Greene was asked about ‘The Gift’ in a jovial mood, he said, “I hate that guy” and instantly had a smile on his face.

He added that he respects Phil for his determination and passion for bodybuilding. ‘The Predator’ recalled, “It’s one thing I will not do. I do not take any credit away from that man, the athlete. His accomplishments speak for themselves. There’s no way I can even rationally think of myself to try to discredit that.”

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What do you infer from the rivalry and camaraderie between Phil Heath and Kai Greene? Tell us in the comments below.