Many readers and strength sports fans know Joe Sullivan for his dominance in powerlifting, especially in the squat. He previously held the all-time world record in the 100KG category with a lift of 386 kilograms.
In April 2025, Sullivan returned to the competitive arena—the bodybuilding stage—and won the heavyweight Novice title and placed second in Open heavyweight at the Jay Cutler Desert Classic in Las Vegas, NV. He has bigger plans and goals, and recently sat with BarBend for an exclusive interview to discuss.
Editor’s note: the following interview has been lightly edited for readability.
BarBend: When did you decide to compete in a bodybuilding show?
Sullivan: If I could take a bird’s eye view of the entire prep, it started as something different and became a prep. I was originally dieting for body recomposition, and it transformed into a prep along the way. I started that process in November 2024 and decided to do a show at the end of December or early January.
BarBend (BB): What catalyst led you to that decision?
Sullivan: Without going into great detail, I planned to attempt a 400-kilogram squat at 100 kilograms bodyweight, but I had a left meniscus tear that altered that, which sucked; I was sad about.
My partner, Brianny Terry, sat me down and told me I needed to get over it or decide to be miserable. Her saying it made it obvious, but I needed that person to say it.
After talking with her, Jared Feather, and reminding myself that I am the “Adapt or Die” guy, I said, “F*** it, I am doing a bodybuilding show.”
BB: How did powerlifting help you as a bodybuilder?
Sullivan: In addition to Brianny and Jared, I am fortunate to live in Las Vegas and train at Dragon’s Lair Gym, where Olympia champions, IFBB Pros, and business and industry leaders all go.
I really wanted to throw myself into this process. I am a professional powerlifter, but I am an amateur bodybuilder. I knew what it took to get from average to good to excellent to elite to best in the world in powerlifting. I took that approach and attitude into this and decided to conduct myself as a professional in the bodybuilding space.
BB: Who else helped you throughout this process?
Sullivan: Nick Walker messaged me a bunch. Flex Lewis was an integral part of this. Cameron Cheek is an incredible coach with whom we consulted quite a bit. Joey Belt was my posing coach; I posed a lot every day leading up to the show.
BB: What was the toughest part of your prep?
Sullivan: I knew the posing would be challenging, but it was even more challenging than I thought. Engaging all the musculature while breathing, then transitioning to the next pose while maintaining waist control and smiling the entire time, is much more complex than you realize.
Joey and I were in the posing room at Dragon’s Lair every day, hitting them repeatedly. I was proud of myself for getting that done and nailing the poses. If you do a show, don’t think of it as just dieting or a training contest. If you don’t take the posing just as seriously, you won’t do well; it is about presentation.
The prep went so well, but I had to step back from other aspects of my life, including as a provider and with businesses I am involved with. That was tough for me as well, but I threw myself into this and adapted the same lifestyle that a professional bodybuilder would.
BB: What were the differences between a bodybuilding stage and a lifting platform?
Sullivan: This is my perspective only. I am a showman. I like being onstage. If I could be an MC or announcer for anything, I would love to.
I am down if anyone out there needs an MC and you can cover my flight and lodging. I love entertaining and having fun. People asked me if I was nervous, but that day was the most chill I had been throughout the process. I was hanging out. When I walked onstage with the lights on me and heard Brianny, my dad, and my posing coach, Joey Belt, yelling for me, I was like, “This is cool.”
When I got offstage, I thought, “Is that it?” I wanted to do more, which I think comes from the adrenaline of powerlifting. After it was over and I got all the love from many people, I felt this euphoria that I can’t even describe. It was one of the most special feelings I’ve ever had.
BB: Do you intend to get back onstage in the future?
Sullivan: I wouldn’t change anything about this. I am excited to do it again. It is exciting to see a new summit and climb a new mountain. I am taking an extended off-season and intend to try pursuing a pro card in the future.
BB: What aspects of your physique are you most proud of? What do you feel needs improving?
Sullivan: I was proud of myself for getting that lean. Some readers may know this, but I weighed 300 pounds at five feet six inches when I started powerlifting.
I was the poster child for childhood obesity and went through much of my childhood. I looked at all the comic heroes, saw how ripped they were, and dreamed of being that way someday. I saw myself and thought, “Holy s***, I look like the guys I dreamed about.” That makes me want to break out in tears.
As for what I can improve, it is the classic case of a powerlifter transitioning to bodybuilding. I have a thick waist. I need to add more tissue to my arms, delts, and lats so my waist looks smaller. That is what we are doing in this transitional phase.
My legs are incredible. The head judge told me my glutes overpowered my lats, thanks to world record squatting. All of that said, a judge told me that if the guy who beat me had not shown up, I could have taken the overall. That’s amazing to hear because that guy looked like a bodybuilder, and I am on my first go. It was empowering to see what I can do with a proper off-season.
BB: Any chance we will see you back on the powerlifting platform?
Sullivan: It is hard to say for sure, but I am not putting a lot of stock in returning as a competitor at the level I was. I may come back and do something for fun with my team, but I had my wins and was the strongest squatter in the world for years. What more would I get from coming back other than stroking my own ego?
I will stay connected to the sport in some way, such as sponsorships and running shows. I am not going anywhere. Being done as a competitor makes me sad, but I feel good about what I did from an athletic perspective and in the community for the 17 years I was in it. I feel good about leaving my shoes on the platform.
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Featured Image: @joesullivan_aod on Instagram
