Derek Lunsford bagging his second Olympia title last weekend was the ultimate jewel of a dominant 2025 contest season—which additionally included Arnold Classic and Pittsburgh Pro wins—the truth that 2023’s Olympia win made Derek the one bodybuilder in historical past to win each the 212 and the Open, and there’s no argument that we’ve got a exceptional champion on our arms.
With all that behind him—or weighing on him—all of us watched intently this previous weekend as Derek marched into battle amongst not solely the most effective on this planet, but in addition three former Mr. O’s, all of whom had their sights set squarely on the goal on Derek’s head. This yr will go down in historical past not solely as the primary Olympia to characteristic 4 former winners within the lineup, but in addition for the sheer depth of the remainder of the sector. To say this present was stacked is a grave understatement.
However as spectacular an accomplishment as that appeared to be on the floor, nobody knew how nice a testomony to the indomitable spirit of man profitable that title really was for the time being it occurred. What I noticed, nobody else noticed—as a result of, on the time, perhaps 5 individuals knew what I knew. And due to what I knew, I used to be in a position to acknowledge the precise second Derek’s spirit took management of his physique. What I witnessed was mainly two steps away from a miracle.
So, whereas the remainder of the online is rife with recap articles and podcasts dissecting Derek’s flaws, Hadi’s strengths, or what the heck Andrew has to do to win round right here, I’m going to inform you a narrative nobody else can—as a result of nobody else noticed it. And in the event you had, you’d agree with me that that is the largest story of the weekend. This isn’t about flaws in his physique, however moderately the shortage of cracks in his character.
Full disclosure: I do know Derek. I like Derek. I’m a fan of his physique—it has its flaws in addition to its strengths. We can argue all day about whether or not Derek deserved to win, however historical past will nonetheless replicate that there’s a “W” after his title in each 2023 and 2025. Historical past may even replicate the magnitude of this yr’s occasion.
However I’m going to one-up it.
Due to my tasks to Muscle & Health, I’m given full-access manufacturing credentials. My lanyard will get me in all places—backstage, facet stage, the pump-up space, the auditorium. I can take any open seat. There’s nowhere I can’t go.
Whereas standing backstage, I overheard a really high-level particular person say that one thing was incorrect with Derek. They then conferred with the manufacturing crew behind me to remodel the order so Derek would exit final, ostensibly to offer him time to cope with no matter the issue was.
A couple of moments later, I noticed Derek strolling in my course. There was a tense, side-to-side hobble to his gait. He walked proper previous me like a zombie. Then, two steps later, he rotated and stated, “Sorry, John, I don’t really feel good.”
I requested him what he felt, and when he informed me, I instantly understood what he was battling. I’d been down that street myself. I knew exactly what he was feeling physically. Let’s simply say any extra debilitating, and he would have been horizontal.
And on high of that, what nobody may think about was the stress he was beneath—not simply because profitable would earn him $600,000 and the triple crown, however due to the sacrifices he made…his wife made…his kids made…his friends and family made. Then there have been the tasks to his sponsors, his coach, his followers. All of that provides an unimaginable weight. If that didn’t make profitable arduous sufficient, Derek now needed to conjure up a smile, push down what ailed him, and go on the market to combat and win.
On the reverse finish of the spectrum was Andrew Jacked—an extremely capable contender for the title. For all his menacing look, Andrew is a pleasant man, a contented man. The 6’2” Nigerian confirmed up within the form of his life and was loving each minute of it.
I stayed backstage in case the worst occurred and I wanted to cowl it. When it was time for the ultimate comparability and pose down, I went out into the viewers and grabbed a seat up entrance. To say they labored these guys is an understatement. Spherical after spherical they in contrast the highest 5. Lastly, Weinberger stated, “Guys, that is so shut. You could have one other spherical in you?”
That’s when it occurred. That’s once I noticed a heroic feat of energy nobody else may presumably see. All Derek needed to do was get it carried out. On the announcement of one other spherical, Andrew pumped his fist and yelled, “Yeah!” Derek, alternatively, would possibly as nicely have been deadlifting 800 kilos. However you couldn’t see it. His smile by no means light. His combat didn’t subside. He didn’t flinch—he took it in stride, as elated as anybody else regardless of how badly he felt.
That took guts. That took energy. That took will. I noticed it plain as day, and it’s one thing I’ll always remember. Nobody knew what a victory that really was.
