A significant revelation emerged from Episode 285 of The Menace Podcast, where veteran bodybuilder and esteemed coach Kamal Elgargni, appearing alongside host Dennis James, Milos Sarcev, and Jose Raymond, disclosed a potential cessation of his coaching relationship with rising star Andrew Jacked. Elgargni candidly expressed dissatisfaction with their current financial arrangement, casting a shadow over what had been one of bodybuilding’s most successful recent partnerships and sparking an important dialogue within the sport about the imperative of clear contractual agreements.
The Genesis of a Powerhouse Partnership and Unforeseen Success
Kamal Elgargni, a formidable figure in the bodybuilding world, boasts an impressive competitive resume. He is a 212 division champion, having secured victories at both the prestigious Mr. Olympia (2019) and the Arnold Classic (2018). His enduring prowess was further cemented by his win at the 2023 Masters Olympia in the Open division, demonstrating his profound understanding of training, nutrition, and competitive strategy. His transition into coaching brought a wealth of experience and a keen eye for talent.
Last year, Elgargni joined forces with Andrew Jacked, an athlete who quickly rose to prominence due to his exceptional physique and captivating stage presence. The partnership swiftly took the bodybuilding world by storm, yielding extraordinary results. Andrew Jacked’s recent triumphs include securing the industry’s largest-ever prize purse of $750,000 at the Arnold Classic U.S., a testament to his burgeoning dominance. This historic win was subsequently followed by another victory at the Arnold Classic U.K., where he collected an additional $250,000. These consecutive high-profile wins positioned Jacked as a formidable contender with an exciting trajectory towards the 2026 Mr. Olympia title.
It was against this backdrop of monumental success and anticipation for future contests that Dennis James, during The Menace Podcast, inquired about the plans for Jacked’s preparation for the upcoming Olympia. The seemingly innocuous question, however, led to an unexpected and uncomfortable disclosure from Elgargni.
An Uncomfortable Truth: The Financial Disconnect
"What are the plans for the Olympia this year?" Dennis James posed to Elgargni. The coach’s response was halting, betraying an evident discomfort. "Well man, I don’t know to be honest," Elgargni began, his voice tinged with hesitation. He then delivered the surprising news: "To be honest, I don’t think… I’m not going to work with him anymore." This statement caught the panel—comprised of industry titans James, Sarcev, and Raymond—completely off guard, prompting James to press further: "What happened?"
Elgargni initially appeared hesitant to air the full details of the dispute on a public platform. However, he eventually opted to provide his perspective, explaining that the core issue stemmed from a "misunderstanding" regarding their financial arrangement. "Well, to be honest, I didn’t get paid for what I done for him," Elgargni asserted, deciding to elaborate on the chronology of events from his viewpoint.
According to Elgargni, their professional association began around the 2025 Olympia. He stated that he understood their collaboration to be a financial arrangement, implying an expectation of compensation for his extensive coaching services. Following Andrew Jacked’s impressive top-three finish at the Olympia and his subsequent win at the Romania Pro, Elgargni claimed that no concrete discussions about monetary compensation took place. This lack of upfront clarity, he suggested, was the root of the ensuing confusion and dissatisfaction.
Escalation of Discontent: From Insult to Impasse
The situation, as described by Elgargni, began with an initial gesture from Andrew Jacked. A payment of $3,000 was made, which Elgargni and his wife found to be significantly undervalued, failing to reflect the extensive time, expertise, and travel commitment involved in his coaching services. "If you want to give me something, give me what I value," Elgargni recounted telling The Menace Podcast panel, emphasizing that his contributions, including travel expenses and time away from home, warranted far greater remuneration.
A pivotal moment that further exacerbated Elgargni’s feelings of being underappreciated occurred during their travel to the U.K. for the Arnold Classic in March. "So, he checked himself in business class and he checked me in economy class," Elgargni revealed, conveying a profound sense of slight. He described the incident with a poignant metaphor, stating, "And this is like somebody hit me with a knife in my back." When confronted, Andrew Jacked reportedly attributed his business class upgrade to his status as a frequent flyer. However, Elgargni indicated that this explanation did little to assuage his feelings of disrespect. The coach stated that the matter came to a head the following day, prompting him to voice his concerns about being undervalued and threatening to terminate the partnership while still in the U.K.
The attempts at reconciliation that followed also proved unsatisfactory to Elgargni. A week later, Jacked sent a Rolex watch to Elgargni’s home. Yet, this luxury gift did not meet Elgargni’s expectations for professional compensation. "I said, I don’t need a Rolex," he explained. Subsequently, Jacked reportedly offered an additional $5,000 to cover Elgargni’s coaching services for the lead-up to the 2026 Olympia. Still feeling undervalued and uncompensated for past efforts, Elgargni countered with a demand for 5% of Andrew Jacked’s prize money, leading to an impasse.
Elgargni’s frustration was further compounded by public statements made by Andrew Jacked. Elgargni expressed anger when Jacked reportedly told journalists that he intended to donate his prize money to charity. "What kind of charity are you going to give that money to?" Elgargni questioned the podcast panel, implying a perceived insincerity or a deliberate deflection from his financial obligations.
Industry Perspectives: The Call for Clarity
The discussion on The Menace Podcast naturally extended to the broader implications of such disputes within professional bodybuilding. Dennis James, a seasoned figure with decades of experience in the sport, offered a balanced perspective, suggesting that the initial confusion might have stemmed from Elgargni’s earlier assertion that he didn’t want any money. "That person thinks he doesn’t want money," James posited, highlighting the potential for misinterpretation when expectations are not explicitly stated. He underscored the critical importance of transparent and unambiguous agreements from the outset: "Especially with bodybuilders, nowadays, you need to be clear upfront before everything starts." Despite the perceived initial ambiguity, James opined that a 5% commission on prize money was "cheap" and "fair" given the coach’s significant contribution to an athlete’s success, particularly when multi-hundred-thousand-dollar winnings are at stake.
Milos Sarcev, another highly respected coach and former professional bodybuilder on the panel, echoed James’s sentiments, drawing from his own experiences. Sarcev emphasized that he has encountered similar payment issues in his coaching career. As a result, he now ensures that all financial arrangements are made "crystal clear" and formally documented in writing before any coaching work commences, serving as a cautionary tale for the industry.
The sentiments expressed by James and Sarcev resonated with the viewing public. Comments on the YouTube broadcast of The Menace Podcast largely aligned with the panel’s consensus, reiterating the necessity of ironing out financial arrangements from the very beginning of any professional partnership. This widespread agreement underscores a growing recognition within the bodybuilding community of the need for greater professionalism and contractual clarity in coach-athlete relationships, especially as prize money and endorsement deals reach unprecedented levels.
Broader Implications and the Road Ahead
The potential split between Kamal Elgargni and Andrew Jacked carries significant implications for both individuals and the wider professional bodybuilding landscape. For Andrew Jacked, a separation from Elgargni, particularly at this crucial juncture, could disrupt his meticulously planned trajectory towards the 2026 Mr. Olympia. Elgargni’s expertise was instrumental in Jacked’s recent successes, and finding a replacement coach who can replicate that synergy and strategic guidance will be a critical challenge. The psychological impact of such a public dispute, regardless of its resolution, could also affect his focus and preparation.
For Kamal Elgargni, this revelation, while airing grievances, also highlights the invaluable nature of his coaching services. It may prompt other athletes to be more diligent in formalizing agreements with top-tier coaches, potentially raising the standard for coach compensation across the sport. However, the public nature of the dispute could also introduce complexities in future collaborations, underscoring the delicate balance between protecting one’s professional interests and maintaining industry relationships.
This incident also serves as a stark reminder of the evolving financial dynamics within professional bodybuilding. With events like the Arnold Classic offering record-breaking prize money, the stakes for both athletes and their support teams have never been higher. This increased financial reward necessitates a corresponding increase in transparency and formality in all professional relationships. The days of informal handshake agreements are rapidly being superseded by the need for clear, written contracts that delineate roles, responsibilities, and, crucially, financial compensation. This ensures that both parties—the athlete benefiting from expert guidance and the coach dedicating time and knowledge—are appropriately valued and protected.
As the bodybuilding world watches to see how this situation unfolds, the core message from The Menace Podcast discussion is undeniable: in a sport where success is measured in fractions of a percentage point and financial rewards are substantial, explicit communication and legally sound agreements are no longer optional but absolutely essential for fostering sustainable and mutually beneficial partnerships. The road to the 2026 Mr. Olympia, for Andrew Jacked and any coach he chooses, will now be paved with lessons learned from this unexpected and public dispute.
To watch the full episode of The Menace Podcast on the Muscle & Fitness YouTube channel, which also covered other breaking bodybuilding news, viewers can access the embedded video below.
