At last year’s Mr. Olympia, Derek Lunsford established himself as a modern bodybuilding icon. After competing in the 212 Olympia division for a few years, the 30-year-old won the title in 2021. However, in 2022, he jumped multiple weight classes to take on the best bodybuilders in the open division. While some might have underestimated Lunsford going into the contest, the American became the runner-up.

However, Hany Rambod’s pupil skipped the Arnold Classic and took time off to train for the 2023 Mr. Olympia. Derek Lunsford guest posed at this year’s Pittsburgh Pro, showing massive improvements. Now with the hype building, the soon-to-be father appeared on The Menace Podcast. During the episode, the 2022 Mr. Olympia runner-up revealed he nearly missed competing in 2022.

A horrific skin condition struck the 212 Olympia champion, Derek Lunsford

While chatting with hosts Dennis James, Chris Cormier, and Milos Sarcev, Lunsford said he knew he could do well in the open division. So after receiving a special invitation from the Olympia organizers to compete in the open category, Lunsford took the leap. However, things took a turn for the worse a few weeks after the 2022 Pittsburgh Pro.

“I went deep-sea fishing,” Lunsford told the hosts. However, the fun outing turned into a nightmare after he got severe sunburns. “I got sun poisoning and I got a skin infection, and I lost like 15 pounds, 20 pounds,” explained the soon-to-be father. However, what he did next aggravated his sunburned skin, causing a skin infection.

Derek Lunsford said he contracted a skin infection because he “went to a water park like an idiot” before his skin had healed. After a trip to the dermatologist didn’t help, coach Hany Rambod warned that Lunsford wouldn’t be able to compete. It finally took a full course of antibiotics to get the bodybuilder back on track with his Olympia prep. However, despite the challenges, the 30-year-old exceeded expectations.

Derek Lunsford stunned the bodybuilding world

The former 212 Olympia champion stunned his critics with his physique. Despite gaining a lot of weight, Lunsford achieved the conditioning he had while competing in the 212 division. Fans praised the bodybuilder for the improvements he made. Many claimed he had the best back on stage.

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While Nick Walker was one of the favorites to win the show, the 30-year-old upset him. Despite winning the People’s Champion accolade at the 2022 Mr. Olympia, Walker placed third. Although Lunsford didn’t win, the hype around him has been insane. Fans expect the bodybuilder to be even better this year.

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What did you think about Derek Lunsford’s revelation? Are you even more impressed by the bodybuilder’s 2022 Mr. Olympia performance now? Let us know in the comments.