“Sometimes We Need to Kill Our Past Self”: Chris Bumstead Finally Breaks Silence on His Cryptic Confession That Nearly Gave Bodybuilding World a Heart Attack

With roughly eight weeks remaining before the 2023 Mr. Olympia commences. Classic Physique champion Chris Bumstead is training hard. Last year, Bumstead joined with Hany Rambod for his final prep, and the duo won their first and CBum’s fourth Mr. Olympia. Earlier, Rambod and Bumstead sat down for a chat during the renowned coach’s podcast. 

During The Truth podcast, the four-time Classic Physique Mr. Olympia opened up on various topics. He talked about his brother-in-law and mentor, Iain Valliere’s sudden retirement. CBum also addressed the lengthy and cryptic post he made recently. Bumstead said a conversation with Valliere inspired the post and explained why he wrote it.

No one understood what Chris Bumstead tried to say

 Hnay Rambond sarcastically said, “There was a little bit of discussion about your post,” making Bumstead giggle. The Pro-Creator said CBum’s post was a little cryptic and philosophical and asked if he could explain the post that made the bodybuilding world lose their minds. So Bumstead said, “Part of that post was inspired by my conversation with Iain (Valliere).”

“I always talk about having no quit… The end of the post was like you’re at the point where having to quit is a difficult and courageous decision,” said the bodybuilding icon. Bumstead said quitting is the courageous decision at such a point because “heart’s not in it.” This is exactly what happened with Iain Valliere, who announced his retirement around the same time.

Bumstead said Valliere inspired him to think about evolving and growing constantly. Making a change and moving out of one’s comfort zone takes courage. “Sometimes we need to kill a past self quit something and grow,” CBum said. However, due to the cryptic nature of the post, bodybuilding fans, in general, were shocked.

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“Everyone assumed like oh Chris is retired,” the 28-year-old said. However, the bodybuilding icon assured fans that wasn’t the case. In fact, Banstead took an extended season to focus on the upcoming Mr. Olympia.

CBum’s first competition in a year

While two of his biggest challengers, Ramon Dino and Urs Kalecinski, competed in the Arnold Classic 2023, Bumstead skipped the contest. Ramon Dino won the show, and many said he looked better than the 2022 Mr. Olympia. While Bumstead attended the Arnold Classic, it was as a guest, and he was well into his off-season.

The reigning champion took time off to heal and recover from a bicep injury. While Bumstead won the Olympia with the bicep tear, he knew he had to heal before stepping on stage. In the cryptic post, Bumstead said the start of his Olympia peer was difficult. However, he is regularly posting content. In the most recent videos, Bumstead is pushing hard to achieve an even better physique than last year. 

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What did you think of Chris Bumstead’s explanation? Were you also shocked when he made the post? Tell us in the comments.