Retired IFBB Pro Chris Bumstead’s focus has switched from muscle building to longevity. In a recent YouTube video aired on Oct. 13, 2025, he discussed the damage he sustained throughout his bodybuilding career.
“I don’t want to continue to do this now, with family, different priorities, and values shifting. There’s a lot of focus on my health now. I’m realizing you can’t really tack everything at once. I want to fix this, this, this, well… you can only take so many vitamins and do so many things a week.”
Chris Bumstead captured his sixth consecutive Classic Physique Olympia title before stepping away from the sport. In one final outing, he tested himself at the 2024 Prague Pro in the Men’s Open, where he pushed Martin Fitzwater en route to second place.
Despite moving on, Bumstead has still battled health challenges. He injured his shoulder, which required dedicated rehab to strengthen his rotator cuffs. He’s also been dealing with leaky gut and candida overgrowth that affect his digestive health. Roughly a year after laying down his posing trunks, Bumstead got honest about the cost of bodybuilding greatness.
Chris Bumstead on Retiring Early: “I Was Very Conscious That Bodybuilding Is Not Good For Your Health”
In the video, Bumstead spoke about his overall health, including his autoimmune disorder.
“Feeling very grateful that I had that mindset of not trying to do too much and getting the least out of the most. I had health issues in the past that were unrelated to bodybuilding, autoimmune stuff, and that affected my health. It feels like bodybuilding wasn’t declining; it was kind of keeping it at a level.”
“I’m at a point now where I’ve worked with a bunch of doctors, and they are like, you’re actually healthier than I thought you’d be, given what you’ve done to your body. Thank God I retired at 30. I don’t want to hear, oh shit, you pushed it too far,” he said.
He revealed damage to his health and noted that competitive bodybuilding comes with inherent risks.
“A few doctors told me that in your thirties, your body is a lot more likely to recover than in your forties. If you’re 35 or whatever it may be.
There’s definitely is some damage that happened to my health, and that was another huge reason why it was easy for me to retire because I wasn’t willing to make that sacrifice anymore. I was very conscious that bodybuilding is not good for your health.”
The sport can be dangerous. In addition to bodybuilders dying young, we’ve seen legends of the sport grapple with lifelong health issues. Former eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman still can’t walk without assistance and nearly lost his life recently after a harrowing fight with sepsis.
Having had time to reflect on his retirement decision, “Cbum” has no regrets. Instead, he has a renewed focus on health over the pursuit of size and conditioning for the stage.
RELATED: Chris Bumstead Shares His Ultimate Guide to Cutting
Watch the full video from the Chris Williamson YouTube channel below:
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