Chris Bumstead Discusses ‘Fears and Emotions’ 1 Week from Aiming to Capture 5th Olympia Title

Chris Bumstead is feeling the weight of being a four-time reigning Classic Physique champion. Just days away from defending his title, Bumstead shares an emotional mental update revealing the psychological strain IFBB Pro bodybuilders face when getting ready for Mr. Olympia. 

“Instead of trying to find the motivation or the goal to chase after I’m kind of dissolving the idea that there even needs to be something like that to chase after. Going back to just what I love to do: because initially, I started bodybuilding without a really crazy end goal in sight.” 

Chris Bumstead brings a world-class physique every time he steps on the stage, although it hasn’t been without its challenges. Throughout his Pro career, CBum has dealt with many obstacles that he has not only overcome but reigned supreme over while under duress. 

Last year was a true testament to his perseverance when he had to dodge multiple hurdles leading up to Olympia. First, Bumstead revealed that his coach and brother-in-law Iain Valliere would no longer be coaching him and quickly had to shift gears which ultimately led to him linking up with trainer Hany Rambod. 

Assuming the worst was behind him after having to switch coaches weeks out from the show, Chris Bumstead would suffer a bicep tear in the lead-up to the 2022 Mr. Olympia. While he would face some backlash for his underdeveloped bicep, he maintained his crown and earned his fourth win in Classic Physique. 

Earlier this year Chris Bumstead opened up about his fear of failure and how it is always a burden he carries with him. While he has plenty of experience under pressure as a reigning champion, Bumstead has revealed that his prep is always a struggle for him. Specifically, this year has been extra difficult due to personal reasons he has yet to share with fans.

Chris Bumstead Shares His Goals And Mindset Ahead Of The 

In previous years, CBum has kept rivals such as Urs Kalecinski and Rocha Queiroz from stealing the throne. Now, Chris Bumstead opens up in his recent YouTube video about the burden of the crown versus being a hungry contender on the rise. 

“There’s something that’s just easier about being an underdog with no expectation chasing after somebody or something being like I’m going to beat that guy. I’m second place I’m going to beat that guy or I’m a new Pro nothing is expected of me, let me prove myself.” 

There’s something a little easier about fucking finding a fire under your ass like that as opposed to winning for four years and there’s no one to look at. There’s no goal to look at. There’s no thing that exists in front of you to chase after you have to create it.

In searching for that, you can almost become lost and overwhelmed. This year I kind of realized that there isn’t really anything I’m chasing. And I shouldn’t be looking for anything because what I’m chasing doesn’t even exist yet. I’m creating the path for someone else to chase right now and that’s pretty fucking exciting if you ask me.”

“It’s an opportunity, no expectation on myself, nothing to do, nothing to be, I just come in and do whatever the fuck I want to do and take it day by day and be the best version of myself,” shared Bumstead. 

“I have one big external goal but I’ve kept in – I haven’t suppressed my anxieties, my fears, my emotions, I’ve been a lot more accepting of them as they come and I have moments of stress when they come, and I’m like you’ve been through this many times and you’ve never let these stop you. 

They’re going to be here so just sit with it a moment, allow yourself to be anxious, don’t be like fuck this is going to happen, fuck this is going to happen, and get through it, and I do.” 

He added that he’s been on a “really good streak” lately and his body “has been responding.” 

“There’s nothing I’m chasing. The goal that I’m chasing doesn’t exist yet and that’s something that’s just exciting. Stepping into that unknown is scary but it’s exciting and it’s what separates fucking long-standing repeat champions and the people who just kind of fire up and sizzle out and I want to be the person who comes up here and holds it because every single year I realize I have a level of more potential in me.” 

“All that being said, it’s been a good year so far. I don’t know I just had a really rough start to this prep. And I didn’t know if I was going to get through it. And it just feels good to be in a good spot mentally after something like that and to have so many people who have helped me get here and supported me.”

To watch Chris Bumstead’s full video click the link below: 

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