💪 What Would YOU Eat After the Olympia?

Believe it or not, this is the LAST Ripped Report you'll receive in 2022. May your 2023 be filled with clean bulking, massive PRs, and plenty of open squat racks.

Derek Lunsford shocked the bodybuilding world with a second-place finish at the 2022 Mr. Olympia. But what we REALLY care about is that post-contest cheat meal!

Speaking of cheat meals (appropriate around the holidays...), six-time Figure Olympia champion Cydney Gillon (🐐) has a few thoughts about splurging that opened our minds to contest nutrition. Seriously, it's worth a read.

Last, and certainly not least, we've got nine "Golden Era" bodybuilders you probably don't know about (but should).

If you're toasting at midnight, we hope you flex so hard the tux sleeves fall off.

NUTRITION

Derek Lunsford’s Post-Podium Cheat Meal

He's with the big boys now, and Derek Lunsford is there to stay.

Former 212 Olympia champion Lunsford shocked the bodybuilding world at the 2022 Mr. Olympia. Earlier in the year, he accepted a special invitation to compete in the Men’s Open division, vacating his 212 Olympia title to go up against two-time Mr. Olympia Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay, 2019 Mr. Olympia Brandon Curry, and 2022 Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan.

Despite competing against a stacked field, Lunsford proved his physique was among the best in the world. He ranked second to Choopan in a nail-biter finish for the highlight reels. On December 27, Lunsford took to his YouTube channel to share how he ate the day after almost becoming a multiple-division Olympia champion.

MORE CHEAT MEALS!

Six-Time Figure Olympia Champion Cydney Gillon on Cheat Meals

G.O.A.T. warning!

The bodybuilding world remains in the middle of Cydney Gillon‘s Olympia dynasty. She claimed her sixth consecutive Figure Olympia title in 2022 in a seemingly uncontested fashion despite competing against an imposing roster. Twelve days after her victory, Gillon took to her YouTube channel to pull back the curtain on how she eats cheat meals.

"If I’m trying to be the best, you don’t really have a chance to take a break from that."

While Gillon believes “nuances” allow for leniency in diet, ultimately, the process takes precedence over pastries — “if you want to be the best, you have to do what others will not.” Check out how she approaches her cheat meals below.

HISTORY

Golden Age Legends Lost to Time

Arnold, Zane, Franco, Lou. These are the names people tend to gravitate towards when talking about the so-called “Golden Era” of bodybuilding. Running from roughly 1960 to the early 1980s, this was a period when the sport truly hit the mainstream as a cultural movement.

While many remember the big stars, dozens of other top-tier athletes also competed during this time. This was an era where men mainly flourished, since women’s bodybuilding divisions were starting. Still, our first name on this list is a true trailblazer who helped propel women into the sport’s limelight.

Check out our nine picks for Golden Era physiques that flew under the radar below.

THE DROPSET

2023 Olympia Qualification

• There have been some pretty massive changes in the qualification process for bodybuilding’s biggest show. Find out all you need to know about the 2023 season.

• Even bodybuilders can get a lot out of the humble (and versatile) kettlebell. Check out our top picks before the January buying rush!

• The dumbbell pullover is the best back-builder you're (probably) not doing. So let's fix that!