Bodybuilder Derek Lunsford aims to make history at the 2025 Mr. Olympia by becoming only the second athlete to win back the title. On August 18, 2025, he detailed his full day of eating eight weeks from taking to the stage.
At the 2024 Mr. Olympia, Derek Lunsford missed his peak and surrendered his title to Samson Dauda. In third place, Lunsford regrouped himself and got back in the winner’s circle quickly — he defeated Dauda at the 2025 Arnold Classic in a show of redemption.
Lunsford could’ve sat out until the Olympia, but conquered the sport’s first “Triple Crown,” having outscored Nick Walker at the Pittsburgh Pro. Now, with plans to regain his title, he walked through the nutrition plan that could make or break his performance.
Derek Lunsford Details Full Day of Eating 8 Weeks from 2025 Mr. Olympia
Find his meals from the YouTube video below:
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Meal 1
- 7 oz of Bison
- 400 grams of rice
During one of his favorite meals, Lunsford explained that he hasn’t counted calories during prep and has left that up to his coach, Chris Aceto.
“Today is actually a higher day,” he shared. People ask me how many calories do you eat, how much protein, how much carbs — I don’t even know. I just eat this much weight of this protein, and this much weight of this carb, and then, we adjust from there every day. I don’t even know how many calories I eat.”
Meal 2
- Cod
- Shrimp
- No Sugar Added Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce
Lunsford continued with his day, taking down a simple, high-protein meal.
“I got all the proteins here for today. I’m only doing one red meat meal a day. Sometimes, I’ll swap it out for the salmon, but I like to have a variety of protein in my diet.
It’s good for two things: one, it’s good because you get different nutrients from each type of animal meat, and then also, it just doesn’t make the diet boring.”
Meal 3
- 7 oz of chicken
- 500 grams of rice
For his pre-workout meal, he enjoyed chicken and white rice.
“Feeling a little sleepy after that big meal I just had, all those carbs. Time to wake up and get after it. Time to do that champ work.”
Meal 4
- 2 bananas
- Protein Shake (Mint Chocolate Chip Flavor)
He refuels after his workout with carbs from bananas and a whey protein shake.
“History will be made, believe me,” adds Lunsford. “Today, we’re going with gas station bananas. I completely forgot my bananas at home. Post-workout every day, you guys already know.”
The rivalry between Lunsford and Walker has become all too real. Dennis James and Jose Raymond say they legitimately don’t like each other. They also suggested that Lunsford and Walker care more about beating each other than laying claim to victory.
Lunsford, with the help of his coach Chris Aceto, plans to join Jay Cutler as only the second bodybuilder to win back the prestigious title. Find out if he’s successful when the Mr. Olympia returns from October 9-12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Watch the full video from the Derek Lunsford YouTube channel below:
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