In a thought-provoking episode of the Straight Outta the Lair Podcast, two titans of bodybuilding, Flex Lewis and Derek Lunsford, engaged in an insightful conversation about their future aspirations. Their dialogue centered around Lunsford’s ambitious pursuit of the prestigious two-division Mr. Olympia title.
Former 212 Olympia champion Derek Lunsford’s meteoric rise in the bodybuilding world has been nothing short of remarkable. His awe-inspiring physique, first showcased at the esteemed Jim Manion’s Pittsburgh Pro in 2022, propelled him towards success and secured him a special invitation to compete in the Open Mr. Olympia category.
A Memorable Debut and a Close Battle for Gold
Derek Lunsford’s debut in the highly competitive Open category at the 2022 Mr. Olympia left an indelible mark on the audience’s collective memory. His commanding presence during prejudging was hailed as one of the most unforgettable moments in recent bodybuilding history. Although Hadi Choopan and Nick Walker contended fiercely for the gold, Lunsford’s exceptional performance solidified his position as a formidable contender in the division.
Continued Success and the Spotlight at the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro
Building on his previous triumphs, Derek Lunsford continued to captivate the bodybuilding world with his unwavering dedication. The 2023 Pittsburgh Pro showcased Lunsford’s exceptional physique once again, as he shared the stage with esteemed Olympia contenders. The presence of notable names such as Nick Walker, Hunter Labrada, Samson Dauda, Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay, and reigning two-time 212 Olympia champion Shaun Clarida further highlighted the significance of Lunsford’s achievement.
Flex Lewis’s Retirement and Passion for Bodybuilding
Parallel to Lunsford’s ascent, bodybuilding icon Flex Lewis announced his retirement in May, coinciding with Lunsford’s rapid rise to prominence. Lewis had originally planned to transition to the Open division but was compelled to abandon that dream due to health concerns. Despite stepping away from the competitive arena, Lewis’s enduring passion for bodybuilding led him to embark on long-form podcasting, enabling him to maintain a deep connection with the sport he holds dear.
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Through their engaging podcast conversation, Flex Lewis and Derek Lunsford shed light on Lunsford’s immense potential and his relentless pursuit of the unprecedented two-division Mr. Olympia title. Their dialogue not only reflects upon their shared history and rivalry but also underscores the exciting future that lies ahead for Lunsford, an extraordinary talent in the realm of bodybuilding.
Flex Lewis: Derek Lunsford Is the One to Watch at This Year’s Olympia
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In his latest statement, Flex Lewis, a prominent figure in the bodybuilding community, expressed his belief that Derek Lunsford is the standout contender to watch at this year’s Olympia. Lewis, who had aspired to become a two-division champion like former UFC Featherweight and Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor, now sees Lunsford as the athlete who is on the path to achieving that feat.
“Going into this year’s Olympia, I said to so many people – Derek Lunsford is the one. That Pittsburgh Pro, that blew my mind and everyone else’s. I thought to myself, thank God that guys not in the 212 anymore. I also said to myself, thank God I am not competing in the Open class against this guy. I also said, whoever is going to be standing next to that guy is in for a handful,” said Lewis.
“What you’ve done since the 212 is honestly so inspiring. You say that you were never able to dethrone me, but you know what I can say about you, is, I might have beaten you in the 212 class but now you’re going to be – in my eyes – the first ever champ champ. That to me, because of Conor McGregor and many of the other guys from different weight divisions have done it, is and was my motivation.
It was my motivation to be the first-ever two-division champ-champ. You now, whether you thought about it or not, it was consuming for me… I know [being] able to achieve something I’ll never be able to achieve now that I’m retired. I want to see you go to the moon and back,” said Lewis.
Flex Lewis and Derek Lunsford Discuss Their ‘Born’ 212 Rivalry and Training with 8x Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman
Flex Lewis and Derek Lunsford engaged in a candid conversation where they addressed the “born” 212 rivalry between them and shared insights into their training experiences with eight-time Mr. Olympia, Ronnie Coleman. Surprisingly, both athletes acknowledged that much of the animosity they appeared to have towards each other was, in fact, manufactured by their respective teams.
“We were rivals man, we were really butting heads,” said Derek Lunsford. “There was this born rivalry and now we realized, it didn’t really stem from us. There was external people fluffing things up. There was people in the middle doing [talking]. And we had no clue,” said Lewis.
“It was firing us both up,” said Lunsford.
“Listen, then it was yeah, I was doing a pose a most muscular, and Franco McGrath was standing behind me and then you literally did the same thing a day later. I’m looking at this: I’m like Frank am I reading into this, did he just do it because of us, and Frank’s like, ‘Yeah, he did!’ Frank was like the hype guy. He’d be like, ‘Did you see what Derek’s done today?’ It was definitely a planting of the seed going into that year [2018]. When I looked back, it’s truly what I needed. It’s what I needed,” said Lewis.
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Derek Lunsford Acknowledges Pressure to Succeed After Ronnie Coleman’s Prediction at 2023 Olympia
Derek Lunsford opens up about the increased pressure he feels to secure a victory this year following bodybuilding legend Ronnie Coleman’s prediction that he would triumph over Hadi Choopan at the 2023 Olympia.
Bro, that’s Ronnie Coleman, saying that he believes I can be Mr. Olympia this year. Like, I want to give you words but I have none. It’s almost like, wow, holy crap! Then at the same time, wait a minute, now there’s this other level of pressure too. The greatest of the greats just said he can do it. Well now, I better freakin do it, you know what I mean. That’s my honest feeling when it comes to that.”
Derek Lunsford Prioritizes Nutrition for the Upcoming Season, Aiming for Clean Eating Approach
As the Olympia competition draws near, Derek Lunsford has placed a keen focus on his nutrition during the off-season. With meticulous attention to detail, the former 212 Olympia champion has outlined his diet and supplement stack, aiming to adopt a clean eating approach. Lunsford firmly believes that this dietary strategy will have a positive impact on his overall physique as he gears up for the ultimate showdown in November.
Speculation Surrounds Hadi Choopan’s Title Defense, Nick Walker and Derek Lunsford Emerge as Top Contenders
Despite Hadi Choopan’s remarkable victory at the previous year’s Olympia, doubts have arisen regarding his ability to successfully defend his title in Orlando, Florida. Among the competitors, prominent athlete Nick Walker has expressed his confidence not only in his own chances but also in Derek Lunsford’s potential to claim the coveted victory. The competition appears to be intensifying, with multiple contenders vying for the top spot on the Olympia stage. The anticipation grows as the field narrows down to these formidable athletes who are poised to leave their mark in bodybuilding history.
Samson Dauda Eyes Olympia Gold on Second Attempt, Aiming to Showcase Enhanced Back Detail
Samson Dauda, the reigning 2023 Arnold Classic titleholder, enters the Olympia competition with renewed determination. With a focus on improving his back detail, Dauda firmly believes he possesses the necessary tools to capture the prestigious Olympia gold. Having gained valuable experience from his previous attempt, Dauda’s second appearance on the Olympia stage promises to be a showcase of his enhanced physique and refined skills. As the competition unfolds, all eyes will be on Dauda as he strives to make his mark among the elite bodybuilders competing for the ultimate prize.
Derek Lunsford’s Potential to Become the First Two-Division Mr. Olympia Champion
Should Derek Lunsford emerge victorious in November, he will etch his name in the annals of bodybuilding history as the first-ever two-division Mr. Olympia champion. This coveted title, once shared as a goal by former competitor Flex Lewis during his active career, remains a remarkable achievement that Lunsford aims to accomplish. The anticipation surrounding Lunsford’s journey to achieve this milestone heightens the excitement and anticipation for the upcoming Olympia competition. As the stakes continue to rise, the bodybuilding world eagerly awaits the historic outcome that could shape the sport’s future.
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Overview
Flex Lewis and Derek Lunsford discussed Lunsford’s quest for the two-division Mr. Olympia title on the Straight Outta the Lair Podcast, drawing comparisons to Conor McGregor. They addressed their past rivalry, Ronnie Coleman’s prediction, Lunsford’s emphasis on clean eating, and his status as a top contender. Lunsford aims to become the first two-division Mr. Olympia champion, a goal once shared by Flex Lewis.
Featured Image @thenotoriousmma @dereklunsford_ (Instagram)
