On Episode 298 of The Menace Podcast, host Dennis James was joined by Milos Sarcev and Chris Cormier, and the panel took a deep dive into the results of the recent Atlanta Pro Olympia qualifier, where James Holingshead punched his ticket to Las Vegas, knocking Regan Grimes into runner-up status. During the show, the gang agreed that Regan Grimes had a lot of work do if he wants to complete with the best of the best, noting that he may be putting his social media content ahead of competitive bodybuilding.
“Let’s give credit where credit is due,” said Milos Sarcev of the 2026 Atlanta Pro result.“This is the best James (Hollinghead) has ever looked, in his history,” he added. Dennis James and Chris Cormier disagreed however, feeling that the big Brit was more detailed during his previous appearance on stage, in China. Still, all three did agree that Hollinghead had the best package in Atlanta. “I thought his legs helped him win,” suggested Cormier. “That’s what stood out to me the most, was the distance between these guys: the density, and everything, and the lower (body).”
Having given their takes and hailing Hollingshead as a worthy winner in Atlanta, the panel cast doubt on Regan Grime’s readiness to qualify for the 2026 Olympia, however. Dennis James felt that while Grimes placed second, he was challenged greatly by the other finalists including Patrick Moore, who came fourth. “I don’t quite see how he did not place higher to be honest,” protested the host. “I mean what are you looking for?”In fact, just a few days ago, Patrick Moore bested Regan Grimes at the Texas Pro, leaving him as a runner-up, one again.
Does Regan Grimes Put Content Before Competitive Bodybuilding?
“Here’s the thing with Regan,” said The Menace. “And this is what I’ve been saying now, for the last two years. He loves to pose a rear lat spread and get the camera in the right angle to make it look like he’s unbeatable from the back, same with the back double biceps. And he never, not once, looked like that on stage.” James continued, “If he would bring what he shows on Instagram, yeah. But that’s Instagram. That’s the camera angle … that’s not what he is on stage, and he has all of the potential in the world, but I think there’s just something that, ah, that’s missing. I don’t know if it’s his discipline, I don’t know if it’s his work ethic. I don’t know.”
Milos Sarcev countered that he felt that Grimes was very disciplined, speculating that it could be nerves that were robbing him of a more rounded physique on stage. Cormier had his own take, however.
Chris Cormier recalled a time when he was in Las Vegas and got invited to train with Grimes alongside Sarcev. “He was two weeks out from that Italy show,” explained the bodybuilder-turned-coach. “I go over there. Okay, let’s go and check out Regan…. Regan wants to do some content instead of training and doing posing. I’m like, bro, really? You got two guys that’s been there and done that s**t, over and over again. We got 170 shows between the two of us, me and Milos. You mean to tell me you want to just do content?”
Dennis James suggested Grimes’ preference for making content could be motivated by money, since he is not winning the top prizes from competitive bodybuilding. “Hey, but don’t go on stage, acting like you that guy,” retorted Cormier. “Because you got to do it in the gym, that’s where it is.” Sarcev confirmed that Grimes had not been “in the mood” to train that day, Still, The Mind believes that Grimes still has the potential to succeed. “His back is very much underrated,” he said. “Very good calves. People don’t talk about Regan’s calves,” Cormier agreed that if he can meet his priorities, Grimes could be bringing home the trophies at some point in the future. “We all know he has the ‘IT Factor,’” he explained. “He has a body for it. (But) you’ve got to be willing to do that from your mind and your heart.”
To see this conversation in full on The Menace Podcast, where the panel also discussed the latest bodybuilding news, check it out on the Muscle & Fitness YouTube channel.