“Hate to Say the Money Kept Me In”: Retiring at the Unusual Age of 40, 4X Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler Reveals What Kept His Fire Burning

Retiring at the age of 40 is not the conventional path for most athletes, but four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler is anything but conventional. In a candid conversation with other bodybuilding experts such as Fouad Abiad, Iain Valliere, Mike Van Wyck & Paul Lauzon, the bodybuilding beast delved into his journey, shedding light on unexpected factors that kept his passion alive.

In a recent appearance on Fouad Abiad Media Podcast’s latest episode, the bodybuilding expert delved into various topics, including the 2024 Arnold Classic. Cutler shared insights into his bodybuilding experience, touching on financial aspects and more.

Jay Cutler’s revelation on what kept alive his passion for bodybuilding

Cutler’s journey in bodybuilding serves as an inspiration for many. Starting to lift weights at a young age without knowing it would become his ultimate career, he immersed himself in lifting heavy weights and eventually discovered his passion for bodybuilding. The journey was filled with struggles, requiring tremendous effort and sacrifices. Finally, at 33, Cutler’s hard work paid off, and he secured his first Mr. Olympia title.

While discussing the 2024 Arnold Classic and his extensive career, Cutler revealed, “I won my first Olympia at 33. There are articles out there where I said I was going to retire at 30, but I had great success after 30. I hate to say the money kept me in it, but the success and all the great things that happened after 30 really paid off for me in the end.”

The podcast host Fouad Abiad brought up an interesting point, asking if people struggle to admit that money plays a significant role. Further, he said you can love what you’re doing and still have an extreme passion for it, but also realize that this is a very valuable thing financially as well. Those two things can be married.

To which Cutler replied and emphasized, “You can, and don’t get me wrong, I loved it, but the money definitely kept me longer than the love of it.” He highlighted his late-career success with endorsements, guest appearances, merchandising, and other ventures beyond prize money. He expressed his feelings and said that he felt“blessed, but definitely, I was driven a little bit at that age by the financial reward too.”

READ MORE: 4X Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler Recalls How His Early Work in Concrete, Prepared Him for a Heavy Diet Required for Bodybuilding

Cutler’s journey goes beyond the stage, illustrating the intricate balance between love for the sport and the pragmatic consideration of financial rewards. As he hung up his boots at 40, Cutler left behind a legacy that speaks to the harmony between passion and prosperity in the world of bodybuilding. This illustrates Cutler’s remarkable path in bodybuilding, emphasizing his dedication and eventual success.

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