Derek Lunsford bagging his second Olympia title last weekend was the ultimate jewel in 2025’s bodybuilding triple crown. Add to this triple crown—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 have now a outstanding champion on our palms.
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 very best on this planet, but additionally 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 additionally 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 truly was in the intervening time it occurred. What I noticed, nobody else noticed—as a result of, on the time, possibly 5 individuals 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 principally two steps away from a miracle.
So, whereas the remainder of the net 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 let you know 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 slightly the dearth 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 mirror that there’s a “W” after his title in each 2023 and 2025. Historical past may even mirror the magnitude of this yr’s occasion.
However I’m going to one-up it.
Due to my obligations to Muscle & Health, I’m given full-access manufacturing credentials. My lanyard will get me in every single place—backstage, aspect 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 remodel the order so Derek would exit final, ostensibly to offer him time to take care of 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 mentioned, “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 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 below—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 obligations 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 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 mentioned, “Guys, that is so shut. You’ve one other spherical in you?”
That’s when it occurred. That’s after I noticed a heroic feat of energy nobody else may probably see. All Derek needed to do was get it achieved. 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 really was.
