Jay Cutler is probably the greatest underdog in bodybuilding history. He dethroned Ronnie Coleman after losing four times. Cutler is also the only bodybuilder who reclaimed the Mr. Olympia title after a loss. The former champion maintains a huge fanbase and knows the importance of staying in the public eye.

In an interview with Generation Iron, the four-time Mr. Olympia revealed why he thinks that merely showing up on stage is not enough, especially in the age of social media.

Jay Cutler on why a social media presence is necessary

In 2021, Generation Iron posted an exclusive clip where Jay Talks about building a fanbase online. In that clip, the Arnold Classic winner said, “Remember you have to have you have to be visible too.” Even if a bodybuilder wins major titles, “You can’t be training in a hole somewhere and just sign off for the whole year and then get back on once the show comes on.”, said Jay.

The four-time Mr. Olympia said so because today the majority have access to the internet and social media. Even if an athlete is talented enough to win titles, “If you’re not in the mix, you know you’re out of sight, out of mind.”, said Jay.

The former Mr. Olympia also said, “Building a fan base and building the prestige as the ultimate champion, that goes along other than just winning the titles.” Few bodybuilders know how necessary it is to win over the fans like Cutler. Fans played a role in motivating Cutler every time he placed 2nd behind Ronnie Coleman.

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While popularity doesn’t affect a bodybuilder’s score during competition, fans rallying behind their favorite athlete goes a long way. Social media is also an effective tool for a bodybuilder to build anticipation for a show. A technique current Classic Physique champion, Chris Bumstead uses to build hype.

How the former Mr. Olympia uses social media

Mr. Olympia and Arnold Classic winner isn’t just a successful bodybuilder but also a successful entrepreneur. While Cutler no longer needs social media to hype-up fans with bodybuilding updates, he uses it for a different purpose. The former Mr. Olympia actively promotes his brands through Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Cutler also uses YouTube to form a more direct connection with fans.

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Jay Cutler is one of the few bodybuilders who have maintained a massive fanbase even after a decade of retirement. Even though he no longer competes, Cutler understands that nowadays, to build a fanbase, one has to interact with them on social media.