Kai Greene on Brotherhood in Bodybuilding and Why He Competed Solo and His Take on William Bonac's Comments

[Kayce]

Former Mr. Olympia runner-up Kai Greene opens up about his solitary approach to competition and responds to William Bonac's recent statement about losing passion due to the lack of "brotherhood" in modern bodybuilding.

In a revealing conversation on his podcast, bodybuilding legend Kai Greene addressed the controversial topic of camaraderie—or lack thereof—in professional bodybuilding after William Bonac recently stated that his passion for the sport is fading due to the disappearance of brotherhood among competitors.

The Brotherhood Debate​

When asked about Bonac's comments regarding how "everybody's for themselves now" in bodybuilding, Greene offered a surprisingly empathetic perspective. Rather than dismissing the concern, he acknowledged that different athletes have vastly different experiences in the sport.

Greene recalled how Bonac demonstrated genuine brotherhood when Shawn Rhoden won the 2017 Mr. Olympia. "I think Will Bonac looked like he was more excited for him than even Shawn Rhoden was at the moment when he won the Olympia," Greene observed. "He celebrated Shawn Rhoden's victory as if it was his own."

Kai's Solo Journey​

Throughout his competitive career, Greene was known for keeping to himself backstage at competitions—a stark contrast to the camaraderie some athletes shared. When pressed about his solitary approach, he pointed out he wasn't alone in this mindset.

"I could recall hearing Dorian Yates published memoirs where he talked about feeling like the dark horse of bodybuilding," Greene explained. The six-time Mr. Olympia would train in England year-round, emerge for the Olympia, dominate the competition, then disappear back to his "dungeon" to train.

Greene emphasized that while friendship and camaraderie are "great when you're able to have it and experience that," they're not requirements for competitive success. "Different athletes have different experiences in the sport," he noted.

Understanding Bonac's Position​

Rather than criticizing Bonac's sentiment, Greene showed deep understanding of the veteran competitor's situation. He highlighted that Bonac is a "seasoned pro veteran" who's been competing at the highest level for over a decade, having emerged strongly around the time Greene himself was facing career challenges.

"How long are you supposed to represent as hard as he has?" Greene asked rhetorically. He suggested that Bonac's comments might be hinting at retirement, which would be completely natural given his lengthy career and commitments as a family man.

Greene emphasized that stepping away might allow Bonac to pursue other important things in life while he's still relatively young and has the opportunity to do so.

The Most Fulfilling Victory​

In a powerful moment during the interview, Greene was asked about his most fulfilling competition. His answer took listeners back to his first bodybuilding show—a competition that seemed impossible to attend.

Living in an institutional facility at the time, Greene needed judge clearance and mountains of paperwork just to compete. "It was impossible because none of those things were going to happen," he recalled. But an English teacher working at the facility went to bat for him, making the impossible possible.

"I went from being a person that believed in something that made me look like I was foolish because it was impossible," Greene said emotionally. That first show, where he returned to the facility with his first trophies as a winner, taught him the value of believing and doing the work despite impossible odds.

Looking Forward​

When asked if he'd ever compete again, Greene kept the door open. "I want to believe that my best is still in front of me, and I work today and I will continue to work with that expectation," he said. "There are things that I still feel like I didn't get a chance to thoroughly work out and get out of my system."

Watch the full conversation above to hear more about Kai Greene's perspective on competition, brotherhood in bodybuilding, and his incredible journey from institutional facility to the Mr. Olympia stage.

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What are your thoughts on brotherhood in bodybuilding? Is camaraderie necessary for success in the sport, or is the solitary approach equally valid? Share your opinions below.