Reigning 212 Olympia champion Derek Lunsford is set to vacate that title to compete in the Men’s Open at the 2022 Mr. Olympia contest on Dec. 16-18, 2022, in Las Vegas, NV, thanks to a special invitation he received in September. While Lunsford is no stranger to competing at bodybuilding’s biggest showcase, the anticipation of stepping on stage moments before his turn to pose is not without nervous energy.
On Oct. 13, 2022, Lunsford took to his YouTube channel to discuss what his experience had been like in those moments before presenting his physique to the sharp eyes of the judges. Check it out below:
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During a Q&A in what appears to be amidst a training session at the gym, Lunsford was asked if he ever feels nervous before stepping on stage. Lunsford waffled on the answer, saying it’s not clear cut. Instead, it is a mixture of feelings that involves some sense of anxiety and excitement. The aspect of competing that triggers nerves in Lunsford is the anticipation right before stepping on stage.
It’s more the build up; the anticipation backstage. They call your name, division — start getting pumped up, touch up tans, and then wait for 30…45 minutes.
That waiting time is filled by watching the athletes ahead of him in the lineup enter the limelight on stage. During that time, a consistent and assertive mindset is critical. As Lunsford said, his thoughts while waiting for his turn steer toward all the work he put into that moment.
For Lunsford, the anticipation of the moment is a more prominent looming presence than the eventual outcome. And he knows there are things out of his control that he can’t concern himself with.
It’s going to be what it’s going to be. I don’t get nervous about people watching. I just want to know…when I’m on stage, I’m giving my best.
As long as Lunsford exits the stage feeling confident that he delivered the performance he intended to give, he would ultimately be content with the outcome.
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The more significant hurdle for getting over nerves on stage concerned the mic. Talking on stage is where Lunsford had to practice getting comfortable as he believes that to be the best bodybuilder in the world, you have to be comfortable as a public speaker, in addition to having a world-class physique.
I was so nervous talking in front of people — my palms would get sweaty, I was just really nervous.
After acquiring his pro card in 2017, Lunsford worked to relax those public-speaking nerves because he felt that the champions of any sport, particularly in bodybuilding, have to be able to speak in front of large groups of people.
You’re pretty much obligated because you’re a public figure. You need to be able to talk in front of people.
Stripping down to a thong to pose in front of the masses is no problem. But holding a mic and speaking in front of a crowd? That’s where the goosebumps crept in. Lunsford trained that skill with a sense of consistency, similar to how you’d train a muscle.
While he is unsure if he is getting better at giving speeches, Lunsford is confident that he is getting better at being less nervous while giving them. Lunsford has the opportunity to potentially dethrone two-time Mr. Olympia Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay in Las Vegas. If he does, we’ll see if Lunsford gives a speech after hoisting the Sandow trophy overhead.
Featured image: @dereklunsford_ on Instagram
