Jay Cutler is finally ready to tell his full story. More than a decade after stepping away from competitive bodybuilding, the four-time Mr. Olympia announced his official autobiography is set for release at the end of 2026, promising to reveal the deeper stories behind his career, his business success, and the mindset that turned him into one of the sport's biggest icons.

At 53, Cutler explained why now feels like the right moment to put his life into a book. Fans know him for his legendary Olympia battles and post-retirement success, but he believes there's far more to the story that's never been made public.

“People would be shocked by how I built my empire, a lot of the strategic moves I made or the mindset that, you know, it took to actually go out there and compete,” said Cutler in a recent social media update as published by Generation Iron.

He also wants to dig into the emotional side of his career, something he says stayed largely hidden during his years as one of bodybuilding's most visible stars.

"The emotions I went through because I never really got to speak of the emotions being magazine guy and then, you know, transitioning into social media," Cutler said.

That shift gives him a particularly unique story to tell. Cutler built his fame during an era when bodybuilding magazines were the primary way athletes established their brand, before successfully carrying that popularity into YouTube, podcasts and social media as the industry evolved around him.

Cutler’s career in and out of bodybuilding

Beyond his competitive career, Cutler has built an extensive business portfolio and remained one of bodybuilding's most visible retired champions. At this stage of his life, he says inspiring others has become a central focus.

Moreover, few bodybuilding careers offer as much material to draw from. Cutler finished runner-up to Ronnie Coleman at the Mr. Olympia four times before finally dethroning the eight-time champion in 2006. 

He successfully defended the title in 2007, lost it to Dexter Jackson in 2008, then delivered one of the sport's greatest comeback stories by reclaiming the Sandow in 2009, becoming the first man in history to regain the Mr. Olympia title after losing it. He captured his fourth and final title in 2010.

His rivalry with Coleman helped define an entire era of the sport. Cutler made his final competitive appearance at the 2013 Mr. Olympia, finishing sixth before officially stepping away from the stage.

Are you looking forward to reading Jay Cutler's autobiography when it releases later this year? 

Written by

Zaid Quraishi