Two-time Men’s Physique Olympia champion Ryan Terry has competed for over 10 years at the pro level. He appears in his best shape yet while preparing to defend his title for the second time at the 2025 Olympia in Las Vegas, NV, on Oct. 9-12. 2025.
Terry attended the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro, where he sat with BarBend for this exclusive interview. The champ discussed his career, his most competitive rivals, and the challenge of adding muscle tissue to his arms without sacrificing shape while at his division’s weight cap.
Editor’s note: the following interview has been lightly edited for readability.
BarBend (BB): How does the off-season after winning your second Olympia compare to past years?
Ryan Terry: It has been tremendous. I still have to pinch myself when introduced as a two-time Olympia champion. It has been good, especially after the career I’ve had since 2013 with so many ups and downs.
It is different this time around because I can say that I’ve achieved everything I wanted to do. So, I’m enjoying the offseasons more and having fun while building my legacy.
BB: You’ve ranked first through eighth at the Olympia. How has your training evolved?
Terry: My training has always been sporadic. I have always fit it around my family and businesses, and I still do. While that can be challenging, it has made it more enjoyable.
That may be why I was one of the smaller guys on the stage. I did not suffer any serious injuries, and I think that is why.
BB: How has your mindset changed since becoming an Olympia champion?
Terry: I always liked being perceived as the nice-guy underdog. I thrived on that. I like being in the shadows. Obviously, when I won the title, that changed. I had to develop more self-belief and own the target on my back. That meant telling myself to do whatever it took to keep the title, which worked.
BB: When watching events like the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro, do you scout opponents?
Terry: (shows his arm) I have shivers hearing you say that because that is why I’m here. I’m a fan and love watching Brandon Hendrickson compete. I wanted to see his comeback.
I am a fan and would have been here anyway, but it is equally important to see who I am against and what I need to bring when I face them.
BB: Have you ever seen a field of athletes as deep in your category as this season?
Terry: When I won my first title in 2023, we had Jeremy Buendia, Brandon Hendrickson, and Erin Banks. There were eight Olympia titles on that stage, and I placed first.
That was an unbelievable lineup, but now you have that same lineup, adding Ali Bilal. This year will be an incredible lineup. I look forward to facing them onstage. I want all of them to be at their best. If they are, and I win, that solidifies that I was the best for that time I am competing.
BB: What’s your strategy for the 2025 Olympia?
Terry: The only change I want to make is my arms. I’m self-critical; you need to be in bodybuilding. When I look at my 2024 shape, I wasn’t as happy as in 2023. I still won and am happy with that, but I know improvements can be made.
I am at my weight cap of 202 pounds, but I would like to add more fullness to my arms. So, I will put a little more focus on my prep to try to get more on the triceps.
BB: If at the weight cap, how can you add more muscle tissue to the arms without affecting the rest of the physique?
Terry: It will be a challenge, for sure, but I think we can do it. I’m looking forward to the process and showing the results onstage.
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Featured Image: @ryanjterry on Instagram
