Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this episode of Bodybuilding Behind The Scenes, IFBB Pro Martin Fitzwater opens up about the mental battles of bodybuilding, the pressure to succeed at the highest level, and how he nearly walked away from the sport after early success.
Martin shares his journey from growing up in small-town Wyoming, working construction, and balancing school with training — to eventually earning his IFBB Pro Card, placing Top 4 at the Mr. Olympia, and building a career in bodybuilding.
Martin uses Hosstile Supplements:
muscleandstrength.com/store/brands/hosstile
Support Martin
instagram.com/martfitzh2o
Nasal Strips - martinthemartian.com
Follow M&S:
Instagram: instagram.com/muscleandstrength
TikTok: tiktok.com/@muscleandstrength
Facebook: facebook.com/muscleandstrength
___________________________________________________________________________
MUSCLEANDSTRENGTH.COM
🚚 Huge Nutrition Store
💪 Free Workouts
🎥 Exercise Videos
🧰 Fitness Tools
🏋🏻♀️ Expert Guides
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://muscle.ms/MuscleStrengthStore
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Music :
Mission - Pick Your Poison
Kooma- Your Nightmare's Are Lame
00:00 – Intro Teaser
01:21 – Martin Fitzwater’s IFBB Pro Bodybuilding Journey
01:29 – Wrestling, Sports, and Building Discipline in Wyoming
02:10 – Lessons From Wrestling That Built Mental Toughness
02:36 – Discovering Weight Training as a Kid
03:26 – Learning Bodybuilding From Arnold’s Encyclopedia
04:29 – Early Strength Gains and Wrestling Success Stories
05:09 – Transition From Wrestling to Bodybuilding Inspiration
05:38 – Jay Cutler, Kai Greene, and YouTube Bodybuilding Motivation
06:21 – Balancing Football, Track, and Muscle Building
07:13 – Skipping Track Workouts for Bodybuilding Training
07:51 – How Phil Heath Inspired Martin to Compete
08:13 – First Bodybuilding Show and Early Success
08:59 – Close Call at Nationals and Lessons Learned
09:19 – Training Through COVID and Earning an IFBB Pro Card
09:55 – From Construction Worker to Full-Time Bodybuilder
10:11 – Childhood Lessons in Work Ethic and Discipline
11:00 – Growing Up in Small-Town Wyoming With Sports and Chores
11:39 – Hard Work, Family Values, and Teamwork in Sports
12:26 – Leaving Pharmacy School to Chase Bodybuilding Dreams
13:14 – Building Muscle While Working Long Hours in Construction
15:04 – Appreciating the Privilege of Pro Bodybuilding
15:47 – Chasing Dreams vs. Financial Security in Bodybuilding
16:36 – Overcoming Family Struggles Through Bodybuilding
17:23 – Why Passion Drives Success in Muscle Building
18:01 – Bodybuilding as an Escape From Negative Habits
19:29 – Addiction to Bodybuilding and Learning Balance
20:29 – Taking Time Off to Improve Mental Health in Bodybuilding
22:14 – The Year That Transformed Martin’s Bodybuilding Career
23:10 – Almost Quitting Bodybuilding in 2022
24:08 – Rediscovering Passion and Joy for Muscle Building
25:15 – Lessons From Taking Time Off as a Pro Bodybuilder
26:15 – Becoming One of the Youngest IFBB Pro Bodybuilders
26:55 – How Losses Shaped Martin’s Bodybuilding Career
28:01 – Perspective on Success and Privilege in Bodybuilding
29:14 – Challenges of Being a Professional Bodybuilder
29:48 – Steroids, Hormones, and Health in Bodybuilding
30:45 – Social Media Hate and Bodybuilding Criticism
32:30 – No Blueprint for Handling Online Negativity
34:00 – Bloodwork, Health, and Longevity in Bodybuilding
36:11 – Dealing With Criticism From Fans and Veterans
38:01 – Building a Strong Support System in Bodybuilding
39:06 – Using a Team to Handle Negativity Online
40:09 – Balancing Social Media With Competition Prep
41:04 – A Day in the Life of an IFBB Pro Bodybuilder
42:19 – Bodybuilding Training, Nutrition, and Content Creation
43:07 – Shifting From Coaching to Bodybuilding Business
44:17 – Long-Term Goals: Winning Olympia & Building a Family
45:06 – Traveling, Guest Posing, and Meeting Bodybuilding Fans
46:36 – Promoting Bodybuilding and Giving Back to the Sport
47:38 – Why Bodybuilding Is a Privilege and a Dream Job
In this episode of Bodybuilding Behind The Scenes, IFBB Pro Martin Fitzwater opens up about the mental battles of bodybuilding, the pressure to succeed at the highest level, and how he nearly walked away from the sport after early success.
Martin shares his journey from growing up in small-town Wyoming, working construction, and balancing school with training — to eventually earning his IFBB Pro Card, placing Top 4 at the Mr. Olympia, and building a career in bodybuilding.
Martin uses Hosstile Supplements:
muscleandstrength.com/store/brands/hosstile
Support Martin
instagram.com/martfitzh2o
Nasal Strips - martinthemartian.com
Follow M&S:
Instagram: instagram.com/muscleandstrength
TikTok: tiktok.com/@muscleandstrength
Facebook: facebook.com/muscleandstrength
___________________________________________________________________________
MUSCLEANDSTRENGTH.COM
🚚 Huge Nutrition Store
💪 Free Workouts
🎥 Exercise Videos
🧰 Fitness Tools
🏋🏻♀️ Expert Guides
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://muscle.ms/MuscleStrengthStore
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Music :
Mission - Pick Your Poison
Kooma- Your Nightmare's Are Lame
00:00 – Intro Teaser
01:21 – Martin Fitzwater’s IFBB Pro Bodybuilding Journey
01:29 – Wrestling, Sports, and Building Discipline in Wyoming
02:10 – Lessons From Wrestling That Built Mental Toughness
02:36 – Discovering Weight Training as a Kid
03:26 – Learning Bodybuilding From Arnold’s Encyclopedia
04:29 – Early Strength Gains and Wrestling Success Stories
05:09 – Transition From Wrestling to Bodybuilding Inspiration
05:38 – Jay Cutler, Kai Greene, and YouTube Bodybuilding Motivation
06:21 – Balancing Football, Track, and Muscle Building
07:13 – Skipping Track Workouts for Bodybuilding Training
07:51 – How Phil Heath Inspired Martin to Compete
08:13 – First Bodybuilding Show and Early Success
08:59 – Close Call at Nationals and Lessons Learned
09:19 – Training Through COVID and Earning an IFBB Pro Card
09:55 – From Construction Worker to Full-Time Bodybuilder
10:11 – Childhood Lessons in Work Ethic and Discipline
11:00 – Growing Up in Small-Town Wyoming With Sports and Chores
11:39 – Hard Work, Family Values, and Teamwork in Sports
12:26 – Leaving Pharmacy School to Chase Bodybuilding Dreams
13:14 – Building Muscle While Working Long Hours in Construction
15:04 – Appreciating the Privilege of Pro Bodybuilding
15:47 – Chasing Dreams vs. Financial Security in Bodybuilding
16:36 – Overcoming Family Struggles Through Bodybuilding
17:23 – Why Passion Drives Success in Muscle Building
18:01 – Bodybuilding as an Escape From Negative Habits
19:29 – Addiction to Bodybuilding and Learning Balance
20:29 – Taking Time Off to Improve Mental Health in Bodybuilding
22:14 – The Year That Transformed Martin’s Bodybuilding Career
23:10 – Almost Quitting Bodybuilding in 2022
24:08 – Rediscovering Passion and Joy for Muscle Building
25:15 – Lessons From Taking Time Off as a Pro Bodybuilder
26:15 – Becoming One of the Youngest IFBB Pro Bodybuilders
26:55 – How Losses Shaped Martin’s Bodybuilding Career
28:01 – Perspective on Success and Privilege in Bodybuilding
29:14 – Challenges of Being a Professional Bodybuilder
29:48 – Steroids, Hormones, and Health in Bodybuilding
30:45 – Social Media Hate and Bodybuilding Criticism
32:30 – No Blueprint for Handling Online Negativity
34:00 – Bloodwork, Health, and Longevity in Bodybuilding
36:11 – Dealing With Criticism From Fans and Veterans
38:01 – Building a Strong Support System in Bodybuilding
39:06 – Using a Team to Handle Negativity Online
40:09 – Balancing Social Media With Competition Prep
41:04 – A Day in the Life of an IFBB Pro Bodybuilder
42:19 – Bodybuilding Training, Nutrition, and Content Creation
43:07 – Shifting From Coaching to Bodybuilding Business
44:17 – Long-Term Goals: Winning Olympia & Building a Family
45:06 – Traveling, Guest Posing, and Meeting Bodybuilding Fans
46:36 – Promoting Bodybuilding and Giving Back to the Sport
47:38 – Why Bodybuilding Is a Privilege and a Dream Job
