Bodybuilder Keone Pearson is looking ahead after claiming his second 212 Olympia title. In a recent YouTube video aired on October 28, 2024, he discussed growing the 212 category and broke down his ‘health phase,’ which involves training de-loads and using less performance-enhancing drugs to give his body a rest.
Keone Pearson has made great strides since earning his Pro card in 2017. He cemented his legacy with his first 212 Olympia title win at the 2023 Mr. Olympia. However, Pearson wasn’t done yet and knew he couldn’t get comfortable since former two-time 212 Olympia champion Shaun Clarida was hot on his tail.
Clarida was determined to capture another title in the 212. However, when it came time to take to the stage, Keone Pearson’s incredible shape, symmetry, and overall razor-sharp conditioning earned him his second 212 Olympia title.
Keone Pearson Lays Out Gameplan to Become ‘GOAT’ of 212, Talks ‘Health Phase’ After Winning 2nd Title
There has been much discussion about Pearson’s future in the sport since his recent victory, which includes IFBB judge Terrick El Guindy, who was adamant he could follow in the footsteps of Derek Lunsford and become a two-division champion. However, in a recent YouTube video, Keone Pearson cleared the air by shutting down any rumors he’d be moving into the Open. Instead, he intends to continue his reign in the 212 for as long as possible.
“I will not be doing the Open. My goal is to win the 212 as many times that I can. The weight this year was 201 and I have so much room to grow.
The goal is to be not only the GOAT but be a great ambassador for the sport and have the division grow and expand it more, which means I want 212 to be in more shows.”
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In addition to remaining the 212 Olympia champion, Pearson wants to grow the division and bring it back to shows including the Arnold Classic.
“In the past, a lot of shows like the Arnold Classic, a couple of international shows, they just took the 212 out. So, I want to bring that back to the IFBB and not only that, I just want to motivate other guys like Classic Physique competitors to move up because I feel like a lot of Classic guys, they are scared to grow.”
Pearson believes athletes are scared to grow and that the 212 division has seen some of the greatest bodybuilders in the sport.
“They are scared to really shoot for the stars and are comfortable and I feel like so many Classic guys out there can move up to 212 because I was one of them. Also, the best Open bodybuilders came from 212. Derek Lunsford, William Bonac, Hadi Choopan, so 212 is not dead. We need this category.”
Keone Pearson then discussed his current training routine and his ‘health phase,’ revealing that he is currently easing up on his supplementation and not training as intensely.
“For people that don’t know what a health phase is it’s basically an extended period, a long extended period of like a de-load week, or de-load for a couple of weeks which means backing off the supplementation, training is not as intense.”
Pearson explained that he wants to give his body a break after the rigorous training he did leading to the 2024 Mr. Olympia.
“So as you guys saw, my training wasn’t intense whatsoever it was more so trying to get a pump. It’s boring and it’s not fun but it’s very necessary to recover throughout all these months of pushing very hard in the gym. It’s a time where we need to give the body a break so that’s exactly what I’m doing.”
He shared that he is still working out five days a week just not as intensely and is also eating more to sustain himself with more energy.
“I’m training at least five days out the week still, but like I said, not as intense. My food is pretty high so that’s something that’s able to keep me full and with plenty of energy,” he adds.
Keone Pearson has put the rumors to bed regarding him moving into the Men’s Open. While he was personally fanning the flames in the past, hinting at a potential switch-up, he has officially made it clear he is keeping put in the 212 division.
Following his incredible win at the 2024 Mr. Olympia, fans can look forward to seeing how Keone Pearson advances the 212 division in the future. At the moment, Pearson is allowing his body the adequate rest it needs after a successful bodybuilding season.
RELATED: Every 212 Olympia Winner Since 2008 (and History of the Division)
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