Modern-day bodybuilding icon Chris Bumstead is an inspiration to millions. But back in the day, the Canadian was just like the millions he inspires today. When he started out, CBum knew he needed to make many improvements to reach his dream of becoming a champion. In his latest Instagram post, Bumstead reminisced on his first posing video that he shot in his parents’ bedroom.

The video showed Bumstead hitting back poses in front of a mirror. Then 20-year-old Chris Bumstead hit a back-lat spread and transitioned into a back-double biceps pose. However, the five-time Classic Physique champion also inserted clips of himself hitting the same poses nearly a decade later. “From my parents’ bedroom to the big stage,“ wrote CBum.

“Obviously, this is one of those very dramatic transformations as I was only 20 in the first video,“ wrote the bodybuilding icon about his post. Even then, Bumstead knew he had to work on his back muscles. “I was still told for years later that my back was my weakest body part and it would always hold me back,“ explained the 29-year-old father.

Today, after consecutively winning five Classic Physique Olympia titles, CBum believes his back has improved. “At least people don’t say it sucks as much anymore so I am proud of that,“ said the humble bodybuilding champion. However, fans see Chris Bumstead as a far better bodybuilder than he sees himself. They were mesmerized by the incredible transformation.

In fact, it wasn’t just Bumstead’s back that impressed the bodybuilding community. Fans praised his lower body gain and even his mindset. The bodybuilding community flocked to the comments section of Bumstead’s post, to let him know what they felt.

Fans call Bumstead an inspiration in every sense of the word

One fan immediately reminded everyone, including Bumstead, about the impact the reigning King of Classic Physique has on people. “You are part of why I took my life back. I lost 94 lbs so far,“ said a fan Bumstead inspired to undergo his own incredible transformation. “Persistence over everything,“ wrote one fan over CBum’s never-give-up mentality.

“Now it single-handedly wins you Olympias,“ commented a fan about Bumstead’s incredible back. “I (have) never seen a hamstring like this,“ wrote a fan who noticed the Bumstead’s lower body transformation. “We are proud of you champ,“ wrote a fan who tipped his hat to Chris Bumstead.

Chris Bumstead has had the mindset to improve from the beginning. And that is what led to him becoming the King of the Classic Physique division. Even with five Mr. Olympia titles, he remains humble and strives to improve his physique with every passing day.