Bodybuilder Carlos Thomas Jr. might be calling it a career sooner rather than later. On Oct. 28, 2025, he discussed retirement, emphasizing that this could be his final year in the sport.
Thomas Jr.’s round muscle bellies and massive legs gave him an edge the moment he turned Pro. In his IFBB Pro League debut, he took third place against a star-studded lineup at the 2023 Texas Pro, which featured Hunter Labrada and Chinedu Andrew “Jacked” Obiekea. After holding his own, fans expected Thomas Jr. to be a shoo-in for the Mr. Olympia.
However, he wasn’t able to earn a qualification that year. He opted to skip the 2024 bodybuilding season and aimed for a statement performance at the 2025 Arnold Classic. He ended up in ninth place, with Derek Lunsford cementing himself as the new titleholder. He also took seventh at the Detroit Pro weeks later. Though Thomas Jr.’s potential in the Open has been evident, he seems keen on accomplishing goals beyond the stage.
Carlos Thomas Jr. Talks Retirement
In the video, Thomas Jr. said he’ll still ‘do bodybuilding,’ but won’t ‘be bodybuilding’ moving forward.
“I put so much into this. I kind of neglected a lot of things. My career is good but I was like man, I have so much left in the tank in that area that I did not push. I was like you know what? I’m going to push that. That’s what I decided to do. I’m going to still do bodybuilding but I’m not going to be bodybuilding.”
He plans to focus on other areas of his life, including his education.
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“I’m going to focus on other areas that are Carlos. I was talking to you, and like man, I really want to get into teaching, get my doctorate degree. I’ve got my Master’s already. Nothing held me back from doing that, the only thing that held me back from doing it was I know I’m a bodybuilder; I’ve got to focus on bodybuilding.”
Speaking candidly, he said this could be his final year in the sport:
“I’ll be honest with you, this might be my last year. Like next year might be my last year competing. It’s not because I feel a certain way towards bodybuilding.
I got so much left in me, man, in other areas. I could give to both, but I want to be comfortable. If next year is my last year, then it’s good. If the year after that’s my last year, then I’m okay with it.”
If he continues to progress and have fun, he’ll carry on, but as soon as that stops, he won’t hesitate to retire.
“As long as I’m having fun and I’m progressing, I’m going to continue to do it. And once I feel like I’m not progressing and I’m not having fun, I’ll definitely be done. This shit ain’t fun, but it’s fun because it’s not fun right now.”
“I’m not competing to win anymore. I know the chances of winning bodybuilding competitions are slim. I’m at that point. I’ll pop up anywhere on any stage just to enjoy the city and look good while I’m there,” he said.
Interestingly, in an Instagram discussion, he told a fan that he had already retired:
Thomas Jr. isn’t the only athlete keen on staying in shape year-round without a contest on the schedule. Bodybuilding veterans Dexter Jackson and Dennis Wolf still sport impressive conditioning and physiques. They continue to show what’s possible for bodybuilders once their careers finish.
Youth is on Thomas Jr.’s side, and perhaps we could see him back onstage soon. It’s unclear what his next move will be, but looking ahead, he’d like to navigate a new career path in teaching.
RELATED: Carlos Thomas Jr. Talks Best Protein Sources and His Intake Days from 2025 Arnold Classic
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