"I didn't fu** up my health" - Chris Bumstead credits Iain Valliere for him not doing 'too much drugs'
Chris Bumstead is a legend in the Classic Physique division of professional bodybuilding with four Mr. Olympia Classic Physique titles in his trophy cabinet. In a recent Straight Outta the Lair podcast, Bumstead credited Iain Valliere for him not doing 'too much drugs'.
Cbum has been the champion in the Classic Physique division of Mr. Olympia for four consecutive years ever since he dethroned Breon Ansley. Each and every time he steps on the Olympia stage, Chris Bumstead has been showcasing extraordinary physique. He has therefore been the undisputed champion.
Cbum and Flex Lewis were on the recent podcast. Chris stated that he achieved his success at a young age thanks to Iain Valliere.
"Iain's like the reason I was able to be successful at a young age. I came into that first show I did, won, and climbed so quick, and the reason I didn't fu** up my health and do too much drugs, do too much stupid sh*t in the beginning of my bodybuilding career was because of Iain.
"He was the reason I always trained with someone that was lifting two plates more than me on anything. So I pushed myself to be stronger and better. Iain was always stronger and bigger than me. He pushed me and he's the reason I got to where I was in my career. I’m super grateful for him."
Last year, Cbum and Iain Valliere decided to go their separate ways. Leading up to the Olympia, Chris Bumstead was coached by the famous bodybuilding coach, Hany Rambod. Speaking of their decision to part ways, the pro bodybuilder said,
"That was a really tough decision to leave, to make that call, that was really hard. We came to a decision it would be best for both of us."
Chris Bumstead opens up about asking Hany Rambod to coach him
Chris Bumstead was coached by Hany Rambod leading up to the 2022 Mr. Olympia, and he was successful in winning his fourth Mr. Olympia Classic Physique title.
"I was talking to Hany and he just talked to me about Derek Lunsford, how he had a crazy mental and physical transformation, 180, now he's just like crushing it. We were talking about that, mindset, he's worked with some business CEO people on training and mindset. He's focused a lot on mental. I didn't even tell him that's what I was super interested in."
Cbum further mentioned how he approached Hany Rambod to coach him.
"Held off for a while before asking Hany to coach me, and it was August three and a half months out. I asked him to coach me, he thought I just meant mentally help him.
"I kind of worded myself weird, you know, 'Could you maybe help me with that,' then we talked again and I told him I meant like coach me fully. He said, 'Oh, I need to think about that.' He put me on hold, yeah."
Chris Bumstead talks off-season and provides update regarding his health
Further during the interaction, Chris Bumstead talked about his off-season. Cbum claimed that his supplements are low and he's just focusing on doing everything the best he can.
"That’s still to come (true off-season) so I'm eating right, training right, supplements are low. Just focusing on doing everything the best I can right now with the travel. And then, when I come back I have one more trip to Italy, when I come back from that in June, I'm going full tilt and locking everything in and focusing on it."
Bumstead further stated that this was the best he has looked before starting a prep.
"This is the best I've looked at this point in a year even. I've always taken a lot of time off, like complete time off. Not even in the gym, taking nothing barely eating, just like losing too much weight. Okay, maybe let's not go that hard and just take a little bit of time off."
Chris posed on stage at the 2022 Mr. Olympia with a torn bicep. And he has been providing updates regarding his recovery and training ever since the conclusion of the 2022 Mr. Olympia. Speaking of his health, Cbum said,
"The second I started pushing training little bit I started putting size back on. I maybe need to put on another five pounds to be a little heavier than I was last year even. So, I’m in a great spot right now, I feel healthy, body feels young, no injuries, knock on wood."
Chris Bumstead will be looking forward to winning his fifth Mr. Olympia Classic Physique title this year when the 2023 Mr. Olympia is held from November 2 to 5 in Orlando, Florida.