Lewis has loved his retirement however a hefty payday would get him again on stage.
Roughly a yr in the past on the time, James “Flex” Lewis formally retired from aggressive bodybuilding. A seven-time 212 Mr. Olympia champion (2012-2018), Lewis completed his profession broadly considered one of many best bodybuilders of all time. Lately, with the icon maybe trying to scratch that aggressive itch, he could properly return to a stage. That’s, for the fitting incentives.
On Apr. 24, 2023, in a video profession dialogue shared on Lewis’ YouTube channel, the athlete breaks down his emotions a few potential return to skilled bodybuilding. Lewis maintains that for a seven-figure supply (no less than $1 million), he would contemplate competing and donning his posing trunks once more.
After Lewis retired, it opened the door to former 212 competitor Derek Lunsford receiving a particular invitation to compete within the Males’s Open on the 2022 Mr. Olympia. Lunsford would take residence a runner-up end on the contest. Lunsford’s absence as one of many inheritor apparents to Lewis’ former 212 title reign might imply there’s one other opening for the icon to step again in.
Nonetheless, contemplating the dedication at a coaching and dietary degree, Lewis wouldn’t simply return to skilled bodybuilding seamlessly. As competitions just like the 2023 Masters Olympia re-enter the fray for knowledgeable veterans, Lewis’ return must come on the proper value — a payday of no less than $1 million. (Be aware: Lewis, at age 39, wouldn’t be eligible for the Masters Olympia till the 2024 version when he’s 40 and meets the competition’s age requirement.)
“Clearly, my title has been thrown within the combine this yr [for the 2023 Masters Olympia], and I stated, ‘Let me dispel this proper now, I’m by myself journey, it’s undoubtedly again to the stage,’” Lewis stated “… If there was a financial draw for me, I’m all in. For me, it needs to be a seven-figure financial draw. It needs to be as a result of for me to stroll away from what I’m doing proper now, that’s what my sacrifice is, sadly.”
Within the approximate yr since his retirement, Lewis has maintained a gentle affect within the bodybuilding and energy group over numerous media platforms — even just lately serving as a social media correspondent in the course of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man. His standing as a legendary Olympia champion appears to supply him a measure of respect for his opinions and ideas on the present state of the game.
Being such a giant title on paper, Lewis in contrast his splendid payday to compete as a bodybuilder once more to that of extra conventional sports activities.
“I really suppose bodybuilding was as fruitful as most of the different sports activities on this planet like golf and basketball and soccer,” Lewis stated. “The contracts these guys are getting paid, it’s insane … No one [in bodybuilding] was ever actually capable of carry the torch into the realm it might be to doubtlessly be one of many sports activities which can be getting large contracts for sponsorships … The place you’re capable of win a present and it’s a seven-figure win for a present otherwise you get seven-figure sponsorships as a result of bodybuilding is, if not one of many hardest sports activities on this planet … It’s 365/24/7. You’re all the time enthusiastic about what you’re consuming and what you’re coaching.”
The 2023 Masters Olympia has an total prize purse of $229,000. Lewis now joins seven-time Mr. Olympia champion (2011-2017) Phil Heath as the most recent iconic bodybuilder to take care of they’d return if the compensation was extremely profitable.
Lewis’s place appears to be gaining extra steam within the bodybuilding world. As among the elite athletes proceed to push their our bodies to the restrict, and the game seems to be rising in reputation, the celebrities of the game would possibly need greater paydays. On the very least, one thing like that would doubtlessly lure Lewis again to the stage to shine as soon as once more.
Featured picture: @flex_lewis on Instagram
