Canadian bodybuilder Chris Bumstead remains the most successful Classic Physique competitor in the IFBB Pro League. In a recent appearance on The Truth podcast with his coach Hany Rambod, Bumstead shared the evolution of his mindset in prep over the years and what makes him different from other champions.
After two consecutive runner-up finishes, Chris Bumstead finally secured his first Classic Physique Olympia trophy by dethroning former two-time winner Breon Ansley in 2019. He has proven to be an unbeatable champ as he managed to ward off the new crop of talent each year since first winning the title.
Last season, Bumstead announced his split with longtime mentor and Men’s Open competitor Iain Valliere. He joined forces with renowned bodybuilding guru Hany Rambod to complete his last 12 weeks of preparations. When it was time to step on stage, ‘CBum’ reigned supreme once again as he dispatched Brazilian sensation Ramon Rocha Queiroz and German contender Urs Kalecinski.
Following another successful title defense, Bumstead dispelled rumors about his retirement and declared his ambitions to add another Classic Physique title to his record. C-Bum managed to win his fourth title with a torn bicep. Despite the hurdle, Bumstead maintained his composure and dominated. He also gave a look into the swelled arm and explained how he overcame the challenge.
Bumstead believes he brought arguably the best package of his career. He plans to return at the Olympia contest for another showdown but wouldn’t commit to going for eight or more titles. He gave a positive update on the bicep injury while crushing an intense leg workout last month. He used peptides along with some stem cell injections to boost his recovery.
Chris Bumstead & Hany Rambod discuss their experience in prep for the 2022 Mr. Olympia
In a recent YouTube video, Chris Bumstead and coach Hany Rambod shared their experience working together for the first time in prep for the Olympia two months ago.
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Rambod talked about the biggest differences he felt partnering with Bumstead as compared to the other athletes on his roster.
“The thing that I thought was really very different for me is trusting you in two ways,” said Rambod. “One, I got to trust you because you have success. With you, you’re already winning. So that was a completely different thing where I have to turn around and be able to say, okay I have to trust him because he’s been able to get to where he’s at. He’s no slouch. He’s already a two-time Olympia champion. We just got to make those changes. But the biggest thing I had to trust you on too is Calvin.
“That was very very out of my comfort zone. The biggest comfort zone difference for me was having him around because I’m not used to it. I’m a very private person. I don’t talk about my systems. This guy’s posting up exactly what we’re eating. I’m like what are we doing, what’s going on? I see his first video and it’s got the full workout. I’m like, that’s the real workout.”
Bumstead detailed the change in his mindset over the last few years while in prep for the shows.
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“I’ve never exuded stress throughout a prep,” said Bumstead. “I’ve always been pretty chill but my mindset has definitely shifted over the years. Ever since the year I got sick everything just changed. That was in 2018. Next year I went into it, I was just afraid. I was living in a fear and being like I don’t want to get sick rather than being like I am healthy and I want to do this. I was just fearful. I don’t like living in the thing of not wanting something I just want to live in abundance of what I want, not avoidance. 2019 was a stressful prep for sure. I was looking like sh*t until a week out. I somehow won that show, don’t even know how. I just kept pushing through but I wasn’t present and didn’t really enjoy it. In 2020, there was COVID. That was a clean prep. I didn’t travel all year because I couldn’t.
“I was at home just super locked in and it felt good. I was able to focus on my mindset that year because in 2019 I didn’t enjoy it. Then, I’m like I’m going to win this year. I want to do this and I need to enjoy it more and be more present because last year I just feel like I lost out on an amazing opportunity of an experience I barely remember. 2021 was kinda the same. Then in 2022 there was all the stuff going on with the coach and all the stuff. Business started to become a huge part of my life.
I got a lot more busy. I was like I’m kind getting older, I’ve done it a few times, do I still want this? Do I still have the drive in me? Do I still love this? It was all over the place and there was more fear and doubt at the beginning of that prep. I’ve always had difficult things to overcome every prep and every year I’m like, f**k I don’t know if I can do that again. When I finish, I’m like f**k I gotta do that again because I got to be better than last time. I can’t just be the same. I got to be better. I want to improve every year.
Last year I was kind of worried about but then when [Hany] came in, started pushing me into new things and my body started to respond really well, I was like I’m just going to give it to Hany, give it to the universe, and give everything I have right now and whatever happens is going to happen. I started to slowly enjoy bodybuilding more. I fell back in love with bodybuilding last year a little bit more than I had in the past. It was a little bit lighter, less stressed and each day was a present day.”
“I always used to feel like I have to win, I have to, rather than I get to. I have the opportunity to do something I love,” added Chris Bumstead. “This is the privilege not something I have to do. Just that simple mindset shift changes your whole body language, your body chemistry, your stress, your body completely. I was able to enjoy a lot more and be present a lot more this year.”
Bumstead says his authentic nature makes him different from other champions
‘CBum’ believes his authentic personality resonates with fans.
“No idea. People ask me that all the time and my only answer is that I don’t bullsh*t. I am who I am,” said Bumstead. “I think it’s just different who I am as most champions you see are like the dream crushers, kill everybody, everyone’s nothing, or I’m better than everyone, I’m going to win, that kinda mindset. 99 percent of the population can’t relate to that. I don’t even know if those guys believe that themselves. A lot of people have a big ego and they need to present this huge bigger than life persona to be a champion. They think that’s what it means and all this sh*t.
No one can relate to that where I’m like I can be champion, bee someone who no one can beat but also be fearful and scared at times and anxious and honest because I am scared sometimes. I get anxious. I don’t know if I can do it all the time. I’m afraid a lot. If I just share that, people can relate to it. Everyone feels that but if they were to see someone like me do what I’m doing. Going through that they maybe inspired, just relate to me and understand they can apply that to their own life in any other way.”
Chris Bumstead recently shared the 3500-calorie diet he’s utilizing in the off-season to make improvements. He’s slowly inching his way back to training in a more unrestricted manner. Earlier this month, he showed off his impressive biceps in the first arms workout since the injury.
You can watch the full video below:
RELATED: Chris Cormier Talks ‘Pressures’ Behind Chris Bumstead and New Coach Hany Rambod for 2022 Mr. Olympia
Bumstead stands as the winningest Classic Physique athlete in the history of Olympia contests with four titles under his belt. Based on his track record, he could very well be on the way to his fifth win later this year.
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