Derek Lunsford: 2024 Net Worth, Stats, Salary, Wife and more

Derek Lunsford is the only person in the history of bodybuilding to have won the Mr. Olympia title in two divisions. While he won the Mr Olympia 212 division title in 2021, Lunsford wrote his name in the history books when he defeated Hadi Choopan to lift the Sandow trophy at the 2023 Mr. Olympia. Being a part of major history in the bodybuilding world, Derek Lunsford continues to create waves in the community, not just for his shredded physique, but also for the dedication that he has showcased throughout his career.

Derek Lunsford’s Early Life

Derek Lunsford was born in St. Petersburg, Indiana, on May 14, 1993. There is little to no information available on the names of the bodybuilding champion's parents. Even at school, Lunsford had an inclination towards sports, being a regular participant in wrestling and soccer games. However, it was after he started college that he ventured into lifting weights. There was a reason behind this as well. As the school that he attended did not have a wrestling program, Lunsford was forced to lift weights, paving the way for his interest in bodybuilding.

Derek Lunsford's Wife and Children

Lunsford got married to long-time girlfriend Jhelsin Mabaga in 2022. A fitness instructor by profession, Mabaga is often seen spearheading online fitness programs and is seen by Lunsford's side during many major bodybuilding events. As part of her profession, Mabaga is extremely active on social media and can often be seen sharing before-and-after transformation stories of her clients. The couple also recently became parents of a baby girl, who was born in January 2024.

Derek Lunsford's Net Worth

Multiple reports suggest that Derek Lunsford has a net worth of around 2 million dollars. The major part of Lunsford's income has come from competing in pro bodybuilding shows. While he earned $400,000 after lifting the Sandow trophy at the 2023 Mr. Olympia, his 2022 runner-up placing made him richer by $150,000. Lunsford also has other avenues that bring him revenue, including endorsements from supplement brands and his active engagement on social media.

Derek Lunsford's Career Timeline

The bodybuilding icon made his amateur debut, winning the 2015 NPC Indianapolis Championships' Men's Open Welterweight division. Lunsford was just 22 when he graced the stage for his first show. Lunsford further participated in the 2015 NPC Junior Nationals, winning the title there as well, followed by an encore in 2016. At the NPC USA Nationals in the same year, Lunsford came in at second place. It was during the 2017 NPC USA Championships that he earned his Pro Card, after grabbing the runner-up spot.

Just like in his amateur debut, Lunsford's first rodeo as a Pro also ended up with him lifting the trophy. The bodybuilder won the 212 division at the 2017 IFBB Tampa Pro. At the 2018 Mr. Olympia, Lunsford came in second, only behind Flex Lewis, marking his name as a major force in the division. He repeated the same in 2019, while 2020 came as a major blow with a fourth-place finish. 2021 proved to be historical for the bodybuilder as he defeated Shaun Clarida to take the 212 Mr. Olympia title home.

That being said, it was 2022 that brought about Derek Lunsford's shift to the Open division. After receiving a special invitation from the IFBB, Lunsford claimed a second-place finish defeating Nick Walker and Samson Dauda. In 2023, Lunsford defeated reigning champion Hadi Choopan, to become the only bodybuilder in history to win Mr. Olympia titles in two different divisions.

Major Achievements in Derek Lunsford's Career

Despite being relatively new to bodybuilding, Derek Lunsford has made huge strides in the sport. While Let us have a look at Lunsford's achievements during this short span.

• 2023 Mr. Olympia: 1st Place


• 2022 Mr. Olympia: 2nd place


• 2021 Mr. Olympia Men’s 212: 1st place


• 2020 Mr. Olympia Men’s 212: 4th


• 2019 Mr. Olympia Men’s 212: 2nd


• 2018 Mr. Olympia Men’s 212: 2nd


• 2017 Mr. Olympia Men’s 212: 5th


• 2017 Tampa Pro Men’s 212: 1st


• 2017 NPC USA Championships- Men’s Light Heavyweight- 1st


• 2016 NPC USA Championships- Men’s Middleweight- 2nd


• 2016 NPC Junior Nationals- Men’s Middleweight- 1st


• 2015 NPC Junior Nationals- Men’s Welterweight: 1st


• 2015 NPC Indianapolis Championship- Men’s Open Welterweight: 1st

Derek Lunsford's Diet and Workout Routine

As part of his diet for bodybuilding competitions, Lunsford eats every 2-3 hours. He often tries to include macronutrients in his meals, to ensure that this helps him in recovering fully while he rests. Chicken, fish, eggs, and other lean meats, mixed vegetables, rice, and assorted nuts and avocados are the foods that Lunsford incorporates into his diet as part of his meal plan. For supplementation, Lunsford banks on multivitamins, amino acids, and whey protein.

Like most other bodybuilders, Derek Lunsford has a regular training schedule where he works out for six days a week. Lunsford engages with both cable machines and free weights for his workout regime. While compound and isolation movements are incorporated into Lunsford's regime, he also uses drop sets and supersets to work on his muscles once they are fatigued. Let us see what Derek Lunsford's weekly training split looks like.

• Monday – Chest, Abs


• Tuesday – Back


• Wednesday – Quads, Calves


• Thursday – Shoulders, Abs


• Friday – Biceps, Triceps


• Saturday – Hamstrings, Glutes, Calves


• Sunday – Off

Lunsford's shoulder workout

• Dumbbell Lateral Raise – (4 sets/20-30, 15-20, 10-15, 10-15 reps)


• Seated Dumbbell Shoulder Press – (4 sets/15, 15, 10-12, 10-12 reps)


• Cable Upright Row – (3 sets/15, 10–12, 10–12 reps)


• Dumbbell Front Raise (3 sets/15 reps)


• Face-Pull – (3 sets/15 reps)

Derek Lunsford’s arm workout

• Triceps Pulldowns


• Close-Grip Bench Press


• Lateral Cable Pulls


• Triceps Pushdown Machine


• Machine Cable Curls


• EZ Bar Curls


• Alternating Dumbbell Curls


• Cable Preacher Curls


• Reverse EZ Bar Raises

Derek Lunsford’s Social Media Accounts