Keone Pearson is coming into the 2023 Mr. Olympia more confident than ever after taking gold at the Texas Pro show a few months back. In an interview on YouTube, Pearson shares the progress he has made since placing sixth at last year’s Olympia and promises a big performance in his next outing.
“I’ve been looking forward to this year since after the Olympia last year. Since we got back to work in that improvement season, all my mind is focused on being better than that sixth place. Were so close, so close man.”
Following a major switch from Classic Physique to Men’s 212 in 2020, Keone Pearson is bringing the heat as he propels through the ranks. His debut show in 212 saw him take first place at the Chicago Pro. From there, Pearson would once again secure his title at the 2021 Chicago Pro.
Though Pearson continued to improve his spectacular physique, he was only able to capture 14th place at the 2021 Mr. Olympia. This wouldn’t deter Keone Pearson who would start the next year on a high note by earning another first-place finish at the 2022 Tampa Pro. After coming back strong, “The Prodigy” impressed everyone yet again by jumping up to sixth place at last year’s Mr. Olympia.
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Now the pressure is on as he prepares to take the Olympia stage yet again with momentum in his back pocket thanks to a resounding victory at the 2023 Texas Pro show. With changes to his training, schedule, and diet, Pearson is ready to show off the enhancements he has made in his physique.
Keone Pearson Confident As Ever As He Gets Ready To Dominate The 212 Stage At 2023 Mr. Olympia
As Keone Pearson gets ready to go head to head with the reigning two-time 212 champion Shaun Clarida, he shares in a recent interview on YouTube how his prep has been going. He also discussed his thought process just days from the 2023 Mr. Olympia.
“Every day I just envision myself being the last man standing. Every single day cardio, in the gym. Right now it’s always man we’re so close. I’ve been prepping for, I think I’ve been dieting for 24 weeks. What is two more weeks? Nothing, right there.”
I’ve got goosebumps right now. I’m patiently just ready to finish this strong. Ready to get on stage and present that hard work. Show all the improvements that I made from Texas Pro till now,” Keone Pearson said.
Ready to flaunt all the progress made since last year, Pearson also reveals how it felt coming in sixth at the sport’s biggest showcase and how that affected his state of mind in prep:
“When I got sixth at Olympia that’s when I was like okay, that’s when I really woke people up. Like okay keone is like, he can make improvements. You know I brought really good conditioning for the Olympia. That new tissue that I put on from the other two years, it marinated and it got me sixth place which I was glad I got that. It was better than 14th from the year before that and then Texas Pro which was next level.”
“It was a really great feeling to bring that conditioning. I really feel like I’m being consistent now. The goal is to be 5% better for this show and just keep that going.”
When asked how he feels about his competitors, Keone Pearson made it clear the focus was on himself and no one else.
“I am just focused on myself. I mean when I’m on that stage I’m there for the judges. I’m not there for the other competitors, I’m there for them. There is no point in focusing on other people. I just gotta focus on my own race. I’m very different from those other competitors you named. They’re great. They’re great you know, they’re at the top for a reason 100%. I’m just focused on Keone. It’s me versus me that’s all I’m worried about, running my own race.”
Bodybuilders are tasked with creating posing routines for shows, which is something Pearson appreciates as a top-tier talent.
“I’m excited just to be on that stage and be with those competitors and those different types of physiques. It’s just going to be fun and it’s going to go by fast. We’re not on stage long only for a couple of minutes and it’s going to go by fast so we are going to make those few minutes count.”
Keone Pearson has surrounded himself with some of the best in the business, making this year different from all the others. Additionally, Pearson has gained more confidence in himself and his ability to succeed.
“I’m around the best of the best. I’ve trained at dragon slayer I’m around Flex Lewis. I’m around the best people. The best possible people in my circle right now that pushes me to the limit. I believe in myself. You know two years ago I didn’t really believe in myself. It was tough going to 212, going from classic to 212. Putting on that new tissue. I let the hype get to me the pressure get to me. A lot of that stuff was new and it happened so fast. It was tough in 2020.
That Keone is gone. That Keone is long gone. The new and improved keone is here. What you guys saw at the Olympia last year when I brought the sixth place that was the new and improved keone, and it’s even better now from Texas Pro and even better now for this Olympia coming up. What you saw in 2020 that’s not the mindset. We are confident. We are positive. We believe in ourselves. “
After seeing his sculpted physique in Texas, Pearson is bound to impress everyone when he graces the big stage. Fans can look forward to seeing the “new and improved” Keone Pearson just days from now on November 2-5 in Orlando, Florida. The competition is stacked and tensions are high, making this year’s Mr. Olympia nothing but electric.
To check out all Keone Pearson had to say during his interview, click the video below:
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