Right now, as we speak, Top 5 Olympia Martin “The Martian” Fitzwater is just around four weeks out from the 2026 Arnold Classic. He’s working tirelessly, but intelligently, with his team to bring the absolute best package to Columbus, OH. The Martian is by no means the biggest, nor does he aim to be, but he has everything in his arsenal to compete with shorter guys, guys his size, and even the towering giants. From his signature posing to his ability to his outgoingness and strong good sportsmanship – on and offstage – Fitzwater is the epitome of a blue collar bodybuilder. He’s often overlooked and underestimated, even by previous sponsors, but his wherewithal is never in question. Does he wear his heart on his sleeve? Sure. Does that mean that he’s an emotional guy? Well, there’s a lot on the line. When you’re Top 5 in the world, having emotions is the norm. How could you not? After all, everything you do in a prep, from the meals to the training to the supplements, it all comes down to a few minutes on stage. How can such a journey not put your heart and soul to the test?
Right now the focus is Columbus. Anytime The Martian signs up to do a contest, he focuses entirely on bringing his best physique for that show. He also promotes his appearance, which in turn promotes the show. That’s the kind of IFBB Pro League Pro that he is. Unlike others who simply care about themselves, Martin is all about putting a positive spin on the sport and showing respect where it’s warranted. He’s made several trips to Pittsburgh and is well-liked by the Federation. This is because he shows respect and because he’s never cast a dark cloud over the sport. At just 29 years of age, Fitzwater has beat them all. He beat Nick Walker at the 2024 New York Pro, but was a consummate professional despite getting robbed. Just a year later, he crushed The Mutant at the 2025 Olympia. Nonetheless people still say he can’t beat Nick. It’s almost comical at this point, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the bodybuilding media.
The above caption reads “the media hates Martin.” The word hate is italicized because Martin’s relationship with the bodybuilding media is a tense-at-best, but that’s really not his doing. They see Fitzwater as the next Mr. Olympia and I believe they pick on him because he won’t eat out of their hands. On the one hand, many media outlets are butthurt that Nick Walker is all hype and little substance. His star fades more and more each year. Nick represents controversy, big talk, and lots of drama. One of the guys who has stood in Nick’s way is Martin. Unlike Nick, Martin doesn’t talk a big game, isn’t about the drama, and doesn’t need the media like Nick does. Martin marches to the beat of his own drum and is indifferent to the media. That indifference has ruffled some feathers, but I don’t think it’s personal. I think Martin has his eyes on the prize. He doesn’t watch their channels nor does he sit by his phone waiting for their calls, DM’s, or texts, asking him to be interviewed or featured. I think the fact that Fitzwater is self-made annoys many of these outlets who want to feel valued by top pro’s. Maybe I’m wrong, and maybe I’m not. I saw this movie once before with a guy named Shawn “Flexatron” Rhoden. The media hated him, too. And they hated him even more when he denied Phil Heath his 8th Olympia and hoisted the Sandow in the air. This is why when he got framed, all of the usual suspects dogpiled on him. And just like with Flexatron, there’s a list of usual suspects who jump at the chance to strike Martin.
Martin’s focus is on the stage. His goal is to be the best pro bodybuilder possible. He wants to win the New York Pro, win the Arnold Classic, win the Mr. Olympia. He’s won the Prague Pro twice, once defeating Chris Bumstead and the other defeating Samson Dauda. He’s finally working with a sponsor who believes in him in RAW Nutrition. I never thought he was a good fit at Hosstile, where he was constantly in Samson’s shadow. In fact, he was in Nick Walker’s shadow as well, and Nick Walker wasn’t even signed to the company when he was there. Yes, it’s true Fouad predicted him in some placings he wound up getting, but he never fought for him. Even when the whole Giles situation ensued, Fouad didn’t go to bat for Martin. He took his side to a point, but had it been Samson, Nick, Guy, Iain, or anyone else it would’ve been World War 3!! All Martin wants is to be a pro bodybuilder. He’s living out his dreams and loving every minute of it. That is, every minute where the bodybuilding media isn’t taking cheap shots at him. That’s why he said he thought the whole bodybuilding media was trash. At least that’s my take on the matter. And of course, he said it in passing, just letting off some steam. And that would be fine for anyone else, but when you have a swarm of media outlets hanging from your every word, any statement that can be spun out of control is fair game. Even if the guy is down to four weeks out from the ARNOLD CLASSIC.
Bodybuilding media outlets shouldn’t try to get under a top contender’s skin just four weeks out from the second most important bodybuilding contest in the world. With peak weak in sight and facing some of the most serious competition of his career, Martin has a very strong shot at winning in Columbus. Fresh off his Top 5 at the 2025 Mr. Olympia and winning his second Prague Pro title, Martin could potentially deny Hadi Choopan the win and position himself as the #1 contender for Derek Lunsford’s Olympia title. Instead of backing off, the media is doubling down. It’s like they can’t pass up the chance to drag The Martian into an all out war. And maybe, if all goes well, he’ll get so distracted, he’ll sabotage himself. Can you blame the guy for hating the bodybuilding media? Even if he’s just blowing off some steam?
I don’t know about you, but enough if enough. The guy would have to be some kind of a saint – or a punching bag – to just take the abuse and suffer in silence. Martin Fitzwater’s not a bitch. I have a feeling that’s what the bodybuilding media wants to make out to be, but this is a sport about muscular people, not wimps or betas. If you push a guy enough, he’s going to push back. You can’t then vilify him for it. Or I guess you can. If anything’s been established is that we can all do what we want with our outlets, but as far as I’m concerned, Martin gets way too much scrutiny and abuse. Then people want to label him as being an emotional guy, which is hair away from being called crazy.
