I’m a little bit anxious about Martin Fitzwater. And once I say a little bit anxious, I imply I’m anxious that he’s fully unhinged and mentally unstable.
Bodybuilding has all the time had robust personalities. Rivalries. Heated exchanges. And a little bit trash discuss. That’s a part of the game.
However recently, the dialog round Martin Fitzwater isn’t about physique comparisons or Olympia predictions. As an alternative, it’s about habits. And if the latest sample continues, the IFBB might have to step in earlier than issues worsen.
There’s a distinction between confidence and shedding emotional management. Proper now, Martin Fitzwater appears to be drifting towards the latter.
Let’s take a deeper dive into what’s wanting just like the downfall of Martin Fitzwater.
The Martin Fitzwater Incident on the Prague Professional
One of many first main incidents that raised eyebrows occurred on the 2025 Prague Professional.
Through the present, Martin Fitzwater reportedly confronted longtime bodybuilding journalist Giles “Tiger” Thomas within the viewers. In keeping with studies and movies circulating on-line, Fitzwater yelled at Thomas and knocked the telephone out of his hand whereas the journalist was filming.
Thomas had beforehand commented on Fitzwater’s conditioning throughout protection of the occasion the yr prior. Like most journalists in bodybuilding media, he was doing what the media has all the time executed: analyzing physiques and discussing placings.
That’s actually the job.
Criticism of conditioning or posing isn’t a private assault. It’s a part of the game. But, Martin Fitzwater appeared to take it personally.
As an alternative of addressing the problem privately or ignoring it altogether, the state of affairs escalated publicly in entrance of followers and trade members.
That’s not a great look.
When Martin Fitzwater Targets Bodybuilding Media
The stress didn’t cease in Prague.
Martin Fitzwater later posted feedback on social media claiming that bodybuilding media is “trash.” I wrote about this beforehand, and Martin’s assertion sparked backlash.
Why?
As a result of bodybuilding media performs a large function in selling athletes, overlaying competitions, and constructing fan curiosity. With out media protection, many athletes wouldn’t have the publicity they get pleasure from at the moment.
Media interviews construct athlete manufacturers. Contest protection grows fan bases. Articles and movies carry consideration to the game.
Calling all bodybuilding media “trash” whereas concurrently benefiting from the publicity it gives appears extremely short-sighted.
And truthfully, it seems like an emotional response quite than a rational one.
With out bodybuilding media, nobody would give a rip who Martin Fitzwater is. He’d be bagging groceries on the retailer with out the game and the media.
Rivalries Are Good for Bodybuilding
Let me be clear about one thing… rivalries are nice for bodybuilding. The game has all the time thrived on them. Take a look at Phil and Kai. Doubtlessly the largest rivalry in all of bodybuilding.
Take into consideration the legendary rivalries that helped develop the game over time. Competitors creates pleasure. It builds storylines. It offers followers one thing to speak about.
There’s completely nothing improper with athletes going forwards and backwards. However there’s a line.
Trash discuss is one factor. Bodily confrontations and public outbursts are one other.
And that’s the place issues begin to change into an issue.
And look, Nick Walker was praised for the way he confirmed as much as the 2026 Arnold Basic. Even Nick has been within the highlight over time for speaking smack and never backing it up on the stage.
So, I’m not simply particularly saying Martin is the one athlete who’s a sizzling head. However Nick additionally by no means put his palms on one other athlete. That stated, I don’t take a look at Martin as a contender at main exhibits. Martin doesn’t have an Olympia-caliber physique. That’s simply the reality.
The Sample Surrounding Martin Fitzwater
One remoted incident will be dismissed as a foul second, and being caught up within the emotion of what simply came about.
And let’s be frank… everybody has them.
Contest prep is brutal. Athletes are depleted, exhausted, and underneath immense stress. However when incidents begin stacking up, individuals start to note.
The confrontation with Giles Thomas.
Public assaults on bodybuilding media.
Extra not too long ago, studies of backstage stress with different rivals (like pushing Nick Walker and telling him he hates him).
To be trustworthy, Martin seems like a highschool bully that’s one good comment away from getting his ass kicked.
Whether or not you assist Martin Fitzwater or not, it’s exhausting to disregard the sample forming. In some unspecified time in the future, the dialog shifts from “unhealthy second” to “greater subject.”
Ought to the IFBB Step in With Martin Fitzwater?
That is the place issues get tough.
The IFBB doesn’t usually intervene except one thing crosses a severe line. Athletes are anticipated to conduct themselves professionally, particularly throughout contests and official occasions.
However when an athlete repeatedly exhibits hostile habits towards the media or different people at competitions, it raises legit questions.
Ought to the league intervene?
Some trade veterans imagine the reply could also be sure. Former Arnold Basic champion and commentator Shawn Ray has even steered that the federation ought to step in to forestall comparable incidents sooner or later.
Even Bob Chick, whom I vehemently dislike, stated that what Martin did (in a number of cases on the Arnold Basic) isn’t okay.
That doesn’t essentially imply suspensions or harsh penalties. However it might imply warnings, new conduct insurance policies, or disciplinary motion if habits continues. As a result of if issues escalate additional, it might injury the picture of the game (as if the game wants one other black eye).
Emotional Management Issues in Skilled Sports activities
Skilled athletes are underneath fixed scrutiny.
Each phrase. Each response. Each motion. That comes with the territory.
One of the best athletes perceive this and discover ways to deal with criticism. They channel negativity into motivation as a substitute of confrontation.
Proper now, Martin Fitzwater seems to be doing the other. Heck, Martin shook everybody’s hand on the Arnold Basic stage apart from Nick Walker after which when requested about it on social media he stated he hates Nick and refuses to be pretend.
As an alternative of disregarding criticism, he appears to be participating with it emotionally. And that’s hardly ever a great technique in skilled sports activities.
The Way forward for Martin Fitzwater
There’s no query that Martin Fitzwater is an extremely proficient bodybuilder. His rise within the Males’s Open division has been spectacular.
He has the physique to be a contender within the sport for years to return. However expertise alone doesn’t outline a champion. Professionalism issues too.
Followers respect athletes who can deal with stress, criticism, and rivalries with out shedding management.
Proper now, Martin Fitzwater is at a crossroads. He can be taught from these incidents and transfer ahead. Or he can proceed down a path that paints him as emotionally risky.
For the sake of the game (and for his personal profession), hopefully the subsequent chapter seems very totally different. However for now, he appeared to have went on social media like a little bit cry child and stated he received’t be on social media for the subsequent month. Immaturity on the highest stage.
Creator Bio:
Matt Weik, BS, CSCS, CPT, CSN, is a globally acknowledged well being, health, and complement trade professional with over 25 years of hands-on expertise. He’s the founding father of Weik Fitness and some of the prolific writers within the area, identified for translating complicated science into clear, actionable content material. Matt holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Penn State College and a number of trade certifications, giving his work each educational credibility and real-world authority. His writing has been featured on hundreds of internet sites and in 100+ magazines worldwide, together with FLEX, Muscular Growth, Iron Man, and Muscle & Health UK, and he has authored 30+ printed books. Trusted by main complement manufacturers and media shops alike, Matt is broadly thought to be some of the educated and dependable voices in well being, health, and sports activities diet.
