Many readers and strength sports fans know Joe Sullivan for his dominance as powerlifter, especially in the squat and recently he made a bodybuilding debut. He previously held the all‑time world record in the 100‑kilogram category with a squat of 386 kilograms.
In April 2025, Sullivan returned to the competitive arena — this time to the bodybuilding stage. He won the heavyweight novice title and placed second in the open heavyweight category at the Jay Cutler Desert Classic in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Now he has bigger plans and goals. Recently, he spoke exclusively and discuss how the transition came about, what it felt like, and why he has decided to pursue a pro card in bodybuilding.
Editor’s Note: The following interview has been lightly edited for readability
Exclusive Interview: Powerlifter Joe Sullivan on His Bodybuilding Debut
Let’s dive into the interview.
Colosseum Strength (CS): When did you decide to compete in a bodybuilding show?
Sullivan: To start, it didn’t happen all at once. At first, it was about making a shift from where I was. In November 2024, I began focusing on body recomposition, trying to lean out and redefine my physique.
Then, as the weeks passed, it started to evolve. What started as a simple shift became a full prep for a bodybuilding show. By late December or early January, I finally made the decision and said to myself, “I’m doing this.”
Looking back, it felt like a gradual shift. It started as a change in focus, then grew into a concrete goal — making that first appearance on a bodybuilding stage.
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CS: What catalyst led you to that decision?
Sullivan: To be honest, the catalyst came from a setback. I had been planning to attempt a 400‑kilogram squat at 100 kilograms body weight, and I felt confident about reaching that milestone. But then I tore my left meniscus. It altered my training and felt like a huge setback. It sucked, and I felt genuinely sad about it.
At that point, Brianny — my partner — sat me down. She told me I had a choice. I could either stay miserable about what happened, or accept it and move forward. Her words made it obvious, but I needed to hear them aloud.
After that talk with her, after conversations with Jared Feather, and after reminding myself that I am the “Adapt or Die” guy, I embraced the change. In that moment, I said to myself, “F*** it. I am doing a bodybuilding show.”
CS: How did powerlifting help you as a bodybuilder?
Sullivan: Luckily, I was surrounded by great people from the very beginning. In addition to Brianny and Jared, I lived in Las Vegas and trained at Dragon’s Lair Gym. It’s a space where Olympia champions, IFBB pros, and leaders of the fitness industry walk through every day.
That environment pushed me. I wanted to throw myself into the process fully. Even though I am a professional powerlifter, I approached this as an amateur bodybuilder. Yet I already knew what it took to move from average to good, from good to elite, and from elite to best in the world in strength sports.
So I applied the same approach and attitude here. I conducted myself like a professional in the bodybuilding space, focusing on discipline, precision, and accountability every step of the way.
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CS: Who else helped you throughout this process?
Sullivan: To begin with, Nick Walker messaged me a bunch. His support meant a lot to me. At the same time, Flex Lewis was an integral part of the process.
Moreover, I worked closely with Cameron Cheek, an incredible coach we consulted extensively throughout prep. Meanwhile, Joey Belt came on as my posing coach. I posed a lot every day leading up to the show.
In the end, it was a team effort. Each person played a pivotal role in making sure I brought my best to the stage.
CS: What was the toughest part of your prep?
Sullivan: To be clear, I knew posing would be challenging from the very start. Yet it turned out to be even harder than I anticipated. Engaging every muscle while breathing, then transitioning between poses while controlling the waist and keeping a smile on your face — it was an entirely new challenge.
Each day, I met with Joey Belt in the posing room at Dragon’s Lair. We hit those poses repeatedly until I could do them under pressure. Getting it right felt like a victory every time.
For anyone considering doing a show, this is what I tell them: don’t just focus on dieting or training. Posing is its own discipline, and it can make or break your performance. The prep itself went well, but making space for it meant sacrificing other parts of my life, like time as a provider and work in my businesses. Yet I embraced it fully, living the same lifestyle as a professional bodybuilder would.
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CS: What were the differences between a bodybuilding stage and a lifting platform?
Sullivan: To be honest, it felt completely different. Yet it felt natural too. This is just my experience, but I am a showman. I like being onstage. If I could be an MC or announcer for any event, I’d do it. In fact, if anyone needs an MC and can cover my flight and lodging, I’m down.
People kept asking if I was nervous, but that day was the calmest I felt throughout the whole process. When I walked onstage and felt the lights on me, I heard Brianny, my dad, and Joey Belt yelling for me. At that moment, I thought, “This is really cool.”
Then, when I came offstage, I wondered, “Is that it?” I felt like I wanted more, and I think it came from the adrenaline I’ve always felt in powerlifting. After it was over, I felt a deep sense of euphoria — one I still can’t fully describe. It was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had.
CS: Do you intend to get back onstage in the future?
Sullivan: Absolutely. I wouldn’t change anything about this experience. It felt like discovering a new summit, finding a new mountain to climb.
That’s why I am now focusing on an extended off‑season. I am building a better physique and making the improvements I need. At the same time, I am making plans to pursue a pro card in the future.
More than anything, this experience reaffirmed that I still have room to grow. The process excites me, and I am looking forward to seeing how far I can take this new chapter.
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CS: What aspects of your physique are you most proud of? What needs improvement?
Sullivan: To be honest, I am proud of how lean I was able to get. Not many readers may know this, but I used to weigh 300 pounds at five foot six when I started in powerlifting. I was the poster child for childhood obesity. That shaped much of my early life.
Back then, I would look at comic book heroes and dream of looking like them one day. To stand onstage and recognize that I resembled those guys — it nearly brought me to tears. It felt like a moment I had worked a lifetime for.
At the same time, I recognize areas for improvement. This is the classic case for a powerlifter transitioning into bodybuilding. I have a thick waist, and I need to add more tissue to my arms, delts, and lats to create a more balanced, aesthetic look. Meanwhile, my legs are incredible. The head judge told me my glutes overpowered my lats, thanks to years of world‑record squats. Yet one judge said that if the guy who beat me hadn’t shown up, I could have taken the overall. To hear that felt empowering. It gave me a sense of what I can accomplish with a proper off‑season.
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CS: Will we ever see you back on the powerlifting platform?
Sullivan: Honestly, it’s hard to say for sure. Yet I am not putting much stock in returning to the level I was at before. Maybe one day I will do something for fun with my team. But right now, it doesn’t feel like the priority.
More than anything, I have already achieved my wins. I was the strongest squatter in the world for years. At this point, what more would I gain from coming back, other than stroking my own ego?
Still, I will stay connected to the sport — through sponsorships, by running shows, and by supporting the community. I am not going anywhere. Being done as a competitor makes me sad, but I am proud of what I’ve accomplished and the legacy I’ve left. I feel good about leaving my shoes on the platform.
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- Exclusive Interview: Powerlifter Joe Sullivan Opens Up About His Bodybuilding Debut
UFC
2026 Arnold Classic
Overview
Joe Sullivan, a record‑setting powerlifter, decided to shift gears after a torn meniscus derailed his squat goal. Then, encouraged by his partner Brianny and mentors like Jared Feather, he embraced a new challenge and stepped onto the bodybuilding stage. After that, he won the heavyweight novice title and placed second in the open category at the 2025 Jay Cutler Desert Classic. Meanwhile, he worked with elite trainers and posing coach Joey Belt to master a sport where precision and presentation matter as much as strength. Soon, he discovered a passion for bodybuilding that felt like a new mountain to climb. Finally, he announced plans to take an extended off‑season, build a more balanced physique, and pursue a pro card, cementing his evolution from champion powerlifter to aspiring professional bodybuilder.
Featured Image – Exclusive Interview: Powerlifter Joe Sullivan Opens Up About His Bodybuilding Debut – Credit: @joesullivan_aod (Instagram)
