Kai Greene

Leslie Kai Greene (born July 12, 1975), known professionally as Kai Greene or Kai L. Greene, is an American IFBB professional bodybuilder, personal trainer, artist, and actor. His most recent victory was the 2016 Arnold Classic. He came in 2nd place at the 2012, 2013, and 2014 Mr. Olympia competitions.

Early life

Greene was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. From the age of six, he was raised in foster care and residential treatment centers. According to his online biography, his rapid physical growth and development drew the attention of his seventh grade English teacher, and since his behavior in school was troublesome, he was introduced to teenage bodybuilding competitions.

Bodybuilding career

NPC

Greene became an enthusiastic bodybuilder, competing in the National Physique Committee (NPC) and aiming to move into the IFBB. He perceives his success in the NPC as mixed. Although he won the 1999 NPC Team Universe, he was disappointed and took a five-year break from competitions, before re-emerging in the 2004 NPC Team Universe contest, which he won again. This victory qualified him for a career as an IFBB professional bodybuilder.

New York Pro & Mr. Olympia

In 2011, Greene began working with preparation coach George Farah and placed 1st in the 2011 New York Pro Championship. His 3rd place win at Mr. Olympia in 2011 qualified him for the 2012 contest, so he did not compete at the 2012 New York Pro in order to focus on Mr. Olympia. He placed 2nd in the 2012 Mr. Olympia, the 2013 Mr. Olympia, and the 2014 Mr. Olympia.

Greene did not compete in the 2015 Mr. Olympia due to unknown circumstances. He issued the statement, "There is a lot more going on behind the scenes that I cannot discuss." Olympia officials denied any claims that he was banned from competing, but did confirm that he did not register and had been reminded several times since May. Greene did request an extension on the registration period in May; it was extended until July, but he did not meet this deadline either.

On March 5, 2016, Greene won the 2016 Arnold Classic, which he had also won in 2009 and 2010.

Documentaries

In 2009, Greene worked with director Mike Pulcinella to release Overkill, which documented his preparation for his first appearance at the 2009 Olympia. In 2010, he reunited with Pulcinella to film the sequel Redemption, showcasing his training and philosophies for the 2010 Arnold Classic, which he won for the second year in a row. He features in the 2013 film Generation Iron, detailing the lead up to and events of the 2012 Mr. Olympia competition.

Sponsors and endorsements

Greene was sponsored by Flex. He launched his own supplement brand, Dynamik Muscle, in 2015. In May 2016 Greene launched his own training program called "The 5P". The name is an acronym for Greene's motto: "Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance".

Podcast

In November 2015, Greene and fitness model Krystal Lavenne began co-hosting a weekly podcast titled Generation Iron, in which they discuss various topics while answering questions sent in by fans.

Technique

Greene has often discussed the "mind-muscle connection". In an article published by Flex as part of his Top Ten Big Back Principles, he explained, "The mind-muscle connection is the number one factor in training. You develop it over time by posing your muscle, and also by paying close attention to how your muscles feel when you work them. Eventually, you get to where your mind can read the feedback your muscles are providing, and your muscles can react to the stimulus your mind is providing. Practice posing between sets or anytime. And feel your muscles working throughout your sets. Eventually, your mind and muscles will speak the same language and communicate back and forth."

Acting career

In November 2016, Greene travelled to the Chinese province of Guizhou to start filming for the martial arts film Crazy Fist, scheduled for release in 2018. Greene will play a villain who fights the protagonist in an arena during the film's opening sequence. In January 2017, it was announced that Greene had signed with The Gersh Agency.

Personal life

Greene is an avid artist who often creates self-portraits to help himself build and maintain his ideal physique. In August 2011, he exhibited some of his work to the public; at the exhibition, he stated, "As a professional bodybuilder, I'm a master sculptor. The art show made me realize that I've always been an artist: my medium the human physique. My life is what I make it, just like the art I've produced on canvas and on stage. This art show makes this statement. I'm celebrating some personal accomplishments and my own artistic expression."

Contest history

• 1994 NGA American Nationals
• 1996 WNBF Pro Natural Worlds – 1st
• 1997 NPC Team Universe Championships – 2nd
• 1998 NPC Team Universe Championships – 3rd
• 1999 World Amateur Championships – 6th
• 1999 NPC Team Universe Championships – 1st
• 2005 New York Pro – 14th
• 2006 Iron Man Pro – T20th
• 2006 Shawn Ray Colorado Pro/Am Classic – 14th
• 2007 New York Pro – 6th
• 2007 Keystone Pro Classic – 3rd
• 2007 Shawn Ray Colorado Pro/Am Classic – 1st
• 2008 New York Pro – 1st
• 2008 Arnold Classic – 3rd
• 2009 Australian Pro Grand Prix – 1st
• 2009 Arnold Classic – 1st
• 2009 Mr. Olympia – 4th
• 2010 Arnold Classic – 1st
• 2010 Australian Pro Grand Prix – 1st
• 2010 Mr. Olympia – 7th
• 2011 New York Pro – 1st
• 2011 Mr. Olympia – 3rd
• 2011 Sheru Classic – 3rd
• 2012 Mr. Olympia – 2nd
• 2012 Sheru Classic – 2nd
• 2013 Mr. Olympia – 2nd
• 2013 Arnold Classic Europe – 2nd
• 2013 EVL's Prague Pro – 1st
• 2014 Mr. Olympia – 2nd
• 2016 Arnold Classic – 1st
• 2016 Arnold Classic Australia – 1st
• 2016 Arnold Classic Brazil – 1st