"In junior high and high school, I was the skinny, long-haired metalhead," said Craig Golias. Today, the 6'3" bodybuilder weighs 350 lbs. Yet, while Golais started bodybuilding to transform his physique, it was something else that kept him going.

Appearing on the Cutler Cast, Craig 'Goliath' Golias revealed it was the sudden attention that came once he started putting on muscle that made it worthwhile.

When Cutler asked how it felt once people began to notice the change, Golias replied, “Amazing. Unbelievable.”

“I think that's why I kept on pushing and pushing, pushing. I was just… We all want validation of what we're doing. And then girls started hitting on me, and then, you know, like I was like, 'Wow, girls are starting to finally hit on me'," Golias told Jay Cutler.

After years of performing with music outfits that supported nationally known acts, Craig Golias made a pivot to strength training. However, Golias got a lot more than popularity points as he progressed.

Realizing his potential, a Cleveland-based photographer connected him to Ed Connors, who influenced Golias to take bodybuilding full-time. Today, Craig Golias has 1.2 million followers on Instagram alone, and the fan base is growing.

Craig Golias believes in maintaining the X-factor

While he's already a mass monster whenever fans meet him in person, the most common reaction is that he looks even bigger than he does in his Instagram photos. “There are barely any bodybuilders at that height; it doesn’t really exist. Most bodybuilders are 5’6 to 5’10," he said.

And Craig Golias did have a point. Even Andrew Jacked, who finished third at the 2025 Mr. Olympia, is 6'2". While former Mr. Olympia Samson Dauda does weight 250 lbs right now (during the off season) he's 5'11".

Meanwhile, Golias has also emphasized his humongous V-Taper. "I was so big, it was uncomfortable, but people freaked out; they loved seeing it. I want to keep that X-frame. You will always see me keep my waist in check," Golias said last year.

Although the bodybuilding influencer doesn't compete, Goliath's insane muscle mass has helped him carve out his niche in the online fitness space.

Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi