Just from my personal experience...
The first time I met Ronnie was at the Atlantic States in 2000 where I competed. I had just got off stage and snuck out the side door to find a bathroom when I see Ronnie sitting at a table in the hallway, setting up his photos. He had a friend there helping him. There was nobody else around.
I approached and asked if I could buy a photo. He didn't acknowledge me right away, so I waited for a minute or so while he finished. Then, without looking at me, he asked "Well which one you want?" I picked one out, handed him my money and waited in silence. He made no attempt to speak. I'm pretty sure that I was the more uncomfortable, dehydrated and hungry guy there, yet there I was trying to NOT piss him off.
After he handed me my photo, rolled my ten bucks into his giant wad of cash, he turned away without saying anything. Still, at this point I was giving him the benefit of the doubt. So I pointed at a banana on the table and asked "how much for the banana" in a joking manner. Ronnie's friend then jumps up and says "You no wanna be takin champs food." Swear to God, it happened just like that.
Jay Cutler:
I was competing again at the Atlantic States in 2001. The week before the show, I was having doubts about how to drop water, so I emailed Jay out of nowhere and wrote a giant email giving him all the points of my diet and prep, and asking for his opinion. Jay responded via email with a long explanation of a safe, non-diuretic drying out process. I used it and placed second.
After the show, I again snuck out to hit the bathroom (and meet my wife, who had Reeses, LOL). This time, Jay was there and was sitting at his table with Kevin English and Frank Sepe hanging around.
I introduced myself, told him who I was and thanked him for the advice. I was in my very best condition to date, and very grateful to him for his time. He brushed it off, tried to GIVE me a photo, but I insisted on paying. Jay was a class act who treated me with respect. I'll never forget it.
That's my experience with the two men. Physique wise, I feel Ronnie is the greatest there has ever been. 98-99 Ronnie is unattainable by any other human being. But this year, he has dropped a few notches, and am I ever glad that Jay was there, in the shape of his life to slay the dragon.
All Hail King Cutler!
