Derek Lunsford bagging his second Olympia title final weekend was the ultimate jewel of a dominant 2025 contest season—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 exceptional 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 one of the best on the 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 characteristic 4 former winners within the lineup, but additionally 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 appeared to be on the floor, nobody knew how nice a testomony to the indomitable spirit of man successful that title really was for the time being 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 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 inform you a narrative nobody else can—as a result of nobody else noticed it. And should 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 are able to argue all day about whether or not or not Derek deserved to win, however historical past will nonetheless replicate that there’s a “W” after his identify in each 2023 and 2025. Historical past may even replicate 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, 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 fallacious with Derek. They then conferred with the manufacturing crew behind me to remodel the order so Derek would exit final, ostensibly to provide him time to take care of no matter the issue was.
A couple of moments later, I noticed Derek strolling in my route. There was a tense, side-to-side hobble to his gait. He walked proper previous me like a zombie. Then, two steps later, he circled and mentioned, “Sorry, John, I don’t really feel good.”
I requested him what he felt, and when he instructed 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 high of that, what nobody might think about was the stress he was beneath—not simply because successful would earn him $600,000 and the triple crown, however due to the sacrifices he made…his spouse made…his children made…his family and friends 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 successful laborious sufficient, Derek now needed to conjure up a smile, push down what ailed him, and go on the market to battle and win.
On the reverse finish of the spectrum was Andrew Jacked—a particularly succesful contender for the title. For all his menacing look, Andrew is a pleasant man, a contented 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 may have one other spherical in you?”
That’s when it occurred. That’s once I noticed a heroic feat of power nobody else might probably see. All Derek wished 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 light. His battle 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 power. 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.