Chris Bumstead speaks of 'fears and emotions' a week before aiming for fifth Olympia title

Chris Bumstead is feeling the weight of the four-time Classic Physique champion. Just days before his title defense, Bumstead shared an emotional psychological insight that reveals the mental strain professional IFBB bodybuilders face when preparing for Mr. Olympia.

"Instead of trying to find a motivation or a goal to chase, I kind of shake off the idea that there even has to be something to chase. I'm just going back to what I enjoy doing, because I started bodybuilding with no crazy end goal in sight."

Chris Bumstead has a classy physique every time he steps on stage, though it's not without its challenges. Throughout his professional career, Chris Bumstead has faced many obstacles that he has not only overcome, but also triumphed over under duress. Last year was a true testament to his perseverance as he had to avoid many obstacles heading into Olympia. Firstly, Bumstead announced that his trainer and brother-in-law Iain Valliere would no longer be coaching him and had to quickly change his team, which eventually led to a reunion with trainer Hany Rambode.

Believing the worst was behind him after having to change coaches a few weeks before the competition, Chris Bumstead suffered a biceps tear before the 2022 Mr. Olympia competition. Although he faced some criticism for his underdeveloped biceps, he retained his crown and claimed his fourth Classic Physique victory.

Chris Bumstead shares his goals and thinking ahead of the 2023 Olympics

In previous years, CBum has prevented opponents like Urs Kalecinski and Rocha Queiroz from dethroning him. Now, in his recent YouTube video, Chris Bumstead talks about the burden of the crown and being a hungry competitor on the rise, such as the aforementioned fighters.

"There's something that's just easier and that's being an underdog with no expectations chasing someone or being the kind of person that I am that just beats those other guys. Either I'm in second place and I beat that guy or I'm a new pro and nothing special is expected of me, so let me show off."

"There's something easier when you find a fire under your ass like that than when you've been winning for four years and you don't have anyone to look up to. There's no target to look up to. There is no thing that exists in front of you that you can chase, you have to create it."

"In the search, you can almost lose direction and be overwhelmed. I kind of realized this year that there's really nothing to chase. I shouldn't be looking for anything because what I'm chasing doesn't exist yet. Right now I'm creating a path for someone else to chase after, and I think that's exciting."

"It's an opportunity, I don't expect anything from myself, I don't have to do anything, I don't have to be anybody, I just come in and do what I want,and I take it one day at a time and I'm the best version of myself," Bumstead shared his feelings.

He added that he's been on a "really good roll" lately and his body is responding perfectly to everything in his final preparation.

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Příspěvek sdílený Chris Bumstead (@cbum)

Source: fitnessvolt.com