Derek Lunsford believes he has reached a different level mentally as he closes in on the 2026 Mr. Olympia. And as he chases a third “ring,” the two-time Olympia champion is comparing his mindset to that of Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and Lebron James – legendary NBA champions who crushed you mentally and physically when it mattered most.
With exactly eight weeks remaining until the Olympia finals, Lunsford shared a grueling leg workout and an extended look at his current mindset during the final stretch of prep. The former Mr. Olympia champion explained that he feels more dangerous than ever after experiencing both winning and losing at bodybuilding’s highest level.
“I seriously feel like a Kobe Bryant, like a Michael Jordan, LeBron James. They respect the competition. They do not take the competition lightly, but they also understand to themselves that they are the best in the world at what they do.”
Lunsford took the comparison one step further, arguing that the burden is now on his Olympia rivals to reach his level.
“The competition has to get on their level if they want to have a chance at beating you. That’s where I’m at.”
The comments came during a workout in which Lunsford was admittedly far from his physical best, making his confidence particularly noteworthy as the Olympia approaches.
Derek Lunsford Is “More Dangerous” Eight Weeks Out From 2026 Olympia
Lunsford’s leg day came after a demanding weekend at the Tampa Pro. He explained that his previous rest day still included an hour of relatively intense cardio, while his food intake was extremely low. After spending much of the weekend at the competition, Lunsford said he was exhausted enough that he initially fell asleep before eating his final meal.
He eventually got roughly 10 hours of sleep before attacking a high-carb leg day.
“We are 8 weeks out from the show and I need that life back in me from yesterday,” Lunsford explained, adding that he prefers higher-food days for legs because of the tremendous energy expenditure required by the workouts.
Despite the extra food, Lunsford quickly realized his body wasn’t responding with its normal strength.
“My mind wants to go heavy, but my body just doesn’t feel strong,” he admitted.
Instead of backing off, Lunsford adjusted the workout. He reduced the weight, increased the volume and manipulated his tempo and rep ranges to continue pushing his legs without simply chasing heavier numbers.
Derek Lunsford’s Leg Workout
The session featured:
Lunsford placed much of the emphasis on pressing movements and used different intensity techniques during his pendulum squats. At one point, he described performing three full reps followed by three partial reps, then repeating the sequence until he could no longer continue.
His goal from the beginning was simple.
“I just want to leave here today with absolutely nothing left in the tank.”
Lunsford acknowledged that the numbers weren’t spectacular by his own standards, but viewed the workout as an important test of his mentality.
“Today is still a champion day for me because I’m in here and I’m doing what I have to do,” he said. “I’m giving my maximum effort on every rep, every set, and every exercise for what I can give today.”
Lunsford Says Winning And Losing Have Made Him More Dangerous
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the session wasn’t Lunsford’s leg training, but where his head appears to be eight weeks before the Olympia.
Lunsford revealed that the prolonged grind of competing had begun taking a toll. Looking back, he realized that the stretch from the 2024 Olympia through the 2025 season essentially amounted to roughly a year and a half of continuous contest preparation.
He eventually needed to pull back enough to rediscover his enthusiasm for training.
That appears to have worked.
“I’m literally itching to crush every workout, every cardio session,” Lunsford said. “Now that I have won and I have lost and I want it again, I have the experience of all of that.”
He then delivered a warning to the rest of the Olympia lineup.
“Now I feel more dangerous as a competitor than ever.”
Rather than focusing on what he needs to do to defeat his rivals, Lunsford believes the better question is what they need to do to challenge him.
“If you’re asking me, what do I have to do to beat my competition? You’re asking the wrong question,” Lunsford said. “The question is, what does the competition got to do to compete?”
That confidence led directly into his Jordan, Bryant and James comparison.
Lunsford wasn’t suggesting elite athletes ignore their opponents. In fact, his point was the opposite. He believes the greatest competitors respect the talent standing across from them while maintaining an unwavering belief that they remain the standard everyone else has to reach.
“Effort, Discipline, Sacrifice”
Lunsford finished the late-night workout several hours after the gym’s normal closing time and summarized what he believes separates elite bodybuilders from everyone else.
“If there’s two words that define bodybuilding, I’ll give you three,” Lunsford joked.
“Effort, discipline, sacrifice.”
Lunsford explained that motivation inevitably comes and goes. What matters during an Olympia prep is maintaining the discipline to return each day, giving maximum effort when training and accepting the sacrifices required to make bodybuilding the top priority during the final weeks before competition.
Eight weeks out, Lunsford appears to believe his biggest advantage might be his mindset.
Image embed via YouTube @dereklunsford_
