Derek Lunsford bagging his second Olympia title final weekend was the ultimate jewel in 2025’s bodybuilding triple crown. Add to this triple crown—which additionally included Arnold Traditional and Pittsburgh Professional 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 now have a outstanding 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 perfect on the 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 function 4 former winners within the lineup, but in addition for the sheer depth of the remainder of the sphere. To say this present was stacked is a grave understatement.
However as spectacular an accomplishment as that on the floor, nobody knew how nice a testomony to the indomitable spirit of man profitable that title really was in the mean time it occurred. What I noticed, nobody else noticed—as a result of, on the time, perhaps 5 folks knew what I knew. And due to what I knew, I used to be capable of 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 case 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 somewhat 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 are able to argue all day about whether or not or not Derek deserved to win, however historical past will nonetheless mirror that there’s a “W” after his identify in each 2023 and 2025. Historical past may also mirror 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 every single place—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 flawed with Derek. They then conferred with the manufacturing crew behind me to transform the order so Derek would exit final, ostensibly to provide him time to cope with no matter the issue was.
A couple of moments later, I noticed Derek strolling in my path. 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 advised me, I instantly understood what he was battling. I’d been down that highway myself. I knew precisely what he was feeling bodily. Let’s simply say any extra debilitating, and he would have been horizontal.
And on prime of that, what nobody may think about was the strain he was below—not simply because profitable would earn him $600,000 and the triple crown, however due to the sacrifices he made…his spouse made…his youngsters made…his family and friends 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 especially succesful contender for the title. For all his menacing look, Andrew is a pleasant man, a cheerful 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’ve gotten one other spherical in you?”
That’s when it occurred. That’s after I noticed a heroic feat of energy nobody else may presumably see. All Derek needed to do was get it performed. On the announcement of one other spherical, Andrew pumped his fist and yelled, “Yeah!” Derek, then again, would possibly as effectively have been deadlifting 800 kilos. However you couldn’t see it. His smile by no means pale. 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 truly was.
