“I’m very confident but there’s a fine line between confidence and cockiness. And I’ve tried to walk that line my entire career,” explains Lewis.
Flex Lewis Talks Genetics vs Hard Work, Reflects on Legacy: ‘I Walked Away On Top, Undefeated & Undisputed’
“I knew what I was and I knew who I was, so when I decided to retire on my terms, not because of an injury not because of my wife or whatever different variable that other people have had to succumb to, that first year was easy because I had done it. And now the first and second guy in the world, and flipped roles this year, I’ve beaten both.”
“So of course, the fans play a massive part in my life. They’ve been a massive part of my whole career. I start thinking, ‘Man, I should do it for the fans. I should do it for the fans.’These guys deserve to see me back up there, get that title, fill a void that I was hoping to do and never was able to achieve. Then, I have to snap out of it and go, ‘I walked away on top, undefeated, undisputed, never lost a point, never lost a show in all of the years that I’ve done that 212. Nobody has my record.’Walk away knowing would’ve should’ve could’ve but never using that as a tool knowing that if I put myself into anything I do from here on in, if I give the same type of dedication, respect and commitment, that I can achieve anything,” said Flex Lewis.
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“My strengths are my strengths, my weaknesses are my weaknesses,” said Lewis. “In a sport that’s – let’s not beat around the bush, there’s a lot of narcissism in bodybuilding, right? There’s a lot of delusional narcissism, too. That delusion can seep into daily day life.”
“The work ethic in one hand is there and the potential of genetics is in the other, and potential and genetics will get you to a certain level but work ethic will always beat that. But if you have genetics and work ethic, that potential will always be lived.”
Despite calling an end to his competitive bodybuilding career, Lewis hasn’t slowed down in the gym. While a back injury prevented him from training optimally for a few weeks, the bodybuilding legend is back doing what he does best. In celebration of his 40th birthday, Lewis showed off an impressive physique transformation as he eyes the next chapter of his life.
While Lewis has been tempted to make a comeback, he has made it clear he left the sport with his head held high, having accomplished more in the Men’s 212 Bodybuilding category than anyone else in the sport’s history.
Watch the full video from the Straight Outta the Lair YouTube channel below:
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