Once hailed as the next big thing in bodybuilding, fans have wondered for years if Calum Von Moger would ever entertain another run in the sport. In a recent podcast with Larry Wheels, Von Moger discussed his original bodybuilding goals and whether he would consider competing in 2025.
Portraying a young Arnold Schwarzenegger in ‘Bigger,’ Calum Von Moger emerged as one of the sport’s biggest stars thanks to his stacked physique and impressive conditioning levels. Fans assumed he would one day challenge for the Classic Physique Olympia title, but fate had other plans.
Von Moger injured himself after jumping out of a two-story window. As a result, he suffered a broken back and several painful lacerations. To recover properly, doctors were forced to put Von Moger in a medically induced coma. Despite the odds, he made a full recovery but his hardships continued.
The Australian bodybuilding star was arrested for a road rage incident. While he and his lawyers fought the allegations in court, Von Moger was charged with intentional damage to property, unlawful possession of weapons, and carelessly driving a motor vehicle. He also lost his brother to suicide in 2022, leaving him in a fragile state of mind. However, he has gone to great lengths to gain inner peace and continues to flirt with a return to bodybuilding.
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Calum Von Moger Talks Goals, Considers Potential Bodybuilding Comeback in 2025: ‘If I Can Get in a Good Routine’
After undergoing a blood test, Calum Von Moger recently started taking testosterone again, and within the first eight weeks, his physique ‘blew up.’
“It’s something I hadn’t done [blood test] in probably two years,” said Von Moger. “I went and checked them out and it [my testosterone] was like 80. The doctor was like you’re testosterone is not coming back naturally and you can’t produce it.
I figured, hey that’s probably going to contribute to my mental health and get me out of a bit of a hole. I started the TRT initially, and within I think the first eight weeks, I just blew up. It was like pumping up a flat tire.”
Originally, Calum Von Moger’s plan was to one day win the Classic Physique Olympia title.
“Right around, I think it was 2016, is that when Classic, it was coming out, they were going to introduce that. Danny Hester won the first one,” said Von Moger. “That was going to be my goal, okay, it was either bodybuilding or physique, that was like the two different things, and then they came out with Classic and I was like this is perfect.
I just finished with the WFF federation. I did the Australia WFF, then did the NABBA. Kind of that circuit, it’s a different federation. I did the Mr. Universe shows. My goal was to be on the Olympia stage for Classic Physique. I remember, I just finished filming the–I did a documentary a film to play Arnold. I just finished that. I bulked up. My heaviest wasn’t even to probably what you are now, what are you 259? I think me on a bulk at my heaviest was like 255 or something. Probably 242 or 244 in between [right now].”
As for imminent contest plans, Von Moger says if he can develop a ‘good routine, he might consider competing next year.
“Well, if I get enough confidence from my peers, maybe. This year, this year, definitely I’m just enjoying the gym and training and especially meeting and getting back into the social scene and I kind of stuck to myself a lot for the last couple of years.”
“I didn’t really like but I was going through stuff. I’m just enjoying getting back into the space, checking out gyms, training and yeah, maybe next year, if I can get in a good routine.”
He doesn’t understate the challenge of bodybuilding, stressing that it’s a ’24-hour thing.’
“Bodybuilding is a 24-hour thing. Every part of the day is to contribute to your physique, whether it be sleeping, eating, training, recovery, so there’s just so much that you can pack into your day just for bodybuilding.”
Having already earned his Pro card, Von Moger seemed receptive to the idea of taking on a bodybuilding show with Larry Wheels.
“I got my Pro card,” said Von Moger. “I would 100 percent do it [do a Classic Physique show with Larry Wheels] just because it would be fun. Compete with a friend and it would just be fun, right? We get better. It’d actually be more of a personal growth thing because I would push myself. You know, the first biggest person I’ve trained with in how many years. It’s always nice to train with people that are bigger and stronger because it makes you hungry.”
“I think it’d be good,” adds Von Moger.
This wasn’t the first time Calum Von Moger discussed his bodybuilding ambitions. He joined former four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler to discuss his spark in the sport. He credits consistent training for helping him re-build his physique.
“I think it wasn’t until really in January that I got back into training again, into the gym. Yeah, consistent, and then I started eating again. So, yeah, bulked up.”
Given his popularity and physique, fans would love nothing more than to see Calum Von Moger back on a bodybuilding stage. If he did follow through with a contest in 2025, he would no doubt inspire the masses considering what he’s been through.
RELATED: Calum Von Moger Gets Honest About Mental Health: “I Was Battling Depression & Anxiety”
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