4 Biggest Lessons from Chris Bumstead That Changed My Mentality

Today, we’re diving into the mindset of 6x Mr. Olympia Chris Bumstead.

I’ve been watching his content for years and have always found great inspiration and guidance in it.

To give you a better understanding, I’ll break down the key traits that define his champion mentality so you can apply the same principles to your own life.

Passion and Discipline

Passion is not something you stumble upon. Chris doesn’t spend much time talking about this directly, but from what I’ve understood, it took him years to truly become passionate about going to the gym.

Passion as something you cultivate, rather than something you find, is a concept I’ve come across time and time again in books and podcasts.

Cal Newport discusses this in his book So Good They Can’t Ignore You, where he dismantles the idea that you need to find your passion. Instead, he argues that you need to build it—and that takes time.

In this day and age, it’s easy to go online and see people who seem passionate about what they’re doing. They make passion sound like a miracle when, in reality, it’s not.

Passion is a sense of deep appreciation that develops through repeated engagement with an interest, potentially over years.

Chris clearly developed an interest in the gym when he was young. He doesn’t define himself as a particularly disciplined person but as someone who found a really interesting hobby.

He had the drive to become good at something, discovered the gym, and decided it was what he would pursue. He chose to become good at it.

For him, the gym wasn’t about social media, fame, or money in the beginning. It was simply something he enjoyed and a way to be alone with his thoughts, finding peace in the process.

This approach is crucial, and it feels like it’s missing today—doing something simply because you enjoy it, not for external rewards or praise.

Chris’s passion for the gym started when he was around 14 or 15, and it took years to make it an inherent part of his life. He started with interest and stayed for the passion he developed.

Pressure is a Privilege

The first thing that defines his mentality is his saying: “Pressure is a privilege.”

The idea that pressure is a choice is profound and ties into a sense of responsibility.

If you choose to face pressure, listen to it, and use it in the right way, it can shape you for the better.

This mindset—that pressure is a tool—is common among athletes across various sports.

By definition, being the best comes with pressure because you have to outperform others. In bodybuilding, this often boils down to consistency and quality.

That said, pressure is something everyone can learn to handle better in daily life.

Some call it pressure; others call it stress, which often makes it feel less controllable.

Pressure comes from two sources: external expectations (from others) and internal expectations (what you demand of yourself). Chris focuses on the latter.

External pressures—like societal expectations for men to excel, be financially secure, and take on big responsibilities—can feel overwhelming. Add social media distortions, and it’s easy to feel inadequate.

Chris has realized that external pressures aren’t worth his attention. Letting them dictate who you are will prevent you from becoming your best self.

Instead, he emphasizes internal expectations. It’s about choosing to face pressure, using it to grow, or avoiding it and living with regret.

By accepting and embracing pressure, you can use it to fuel motivation and willpower. That’s how Chris channels pressure into greatness—seeing it as an ally, not an enemy.

Anxiety and Emotions

One of the most inspiring things about Chris is his willingness to open up about emotions, especially negative ones like anxiety, shame, and fear.

This makes him a role model for young men in the fitness community.

Despite being a six-time Mr. Olympia, a business owner, and a celebrity, Chris is still human and flawed like anyone else.

His anxiety has been part of his life since childhood. Raised by a stoic father, he believed men should be unshakeable and not need help. But as an anxious person, this didn’t match his reality.

When your self-concept and real-world experiences don’t align, it can trigger feelings of inadequacy. Chris found the solution much later in life.

Initially, he tried numbing the anxiety, which didn’t work. Then, he sought logical solutions before finally vocalizing his emotions.

Expressing emotions—fear, anxiety, or otherwise—is a powerful tool. It’s the foundation of modern therapy: validating, exploring, and resolving emotions rather than repressing them.

For young men especially, finding a safe space to vocalize emotions is crucial. Emotions don’t disappear if ignored; they exist to signal something important.

Anxiety, for example, is your body’s way of preparing you for potential danger. It’s a simulated fear meant to help you find solutions before real fear arises.

Chris also developed compassion for his younger, anxious self—welcoming those emotions rather than rejecting them. This self-compassion has significantly influenced his success.

Winning Is Not About the Trophy

What resonates most with me is Chris’s definition of success, which is more profound and grounded than most modern role models.

Winning isn’t about the trophy, the car, or the money.

It’s about being yourself, staying true to your values, and building meaningful relationships.

Stepping on stage lasts a few minutes, but the love and support of those around you can last a lifetime.

Chris often thanks his team, wife, and supporters, emphasizing the importance of relationships.

In today’s world, we’re led to believe we’re always missing something—that happiness lies just beyond the next achievement. But that’s not reality.

Life is a series of experiences, and no material possession can provide the meaning you seek.

We’re wired for growth, mastery, and connection. Chasing material success often leads to emptiness because it lacks life, emotion, and meaning.

True fulfillment comes from finding your tribe, building trust, and being authentic with those around you.

Chris’s emphasis on relationships and authenticity aligns with this truth. A Harvard study found that close relationships are the best predictor of happiness and longevity.

Chris’s mentality reflects a growth mindset—always learning, evolving, and prioritizing relationships over conventional success.

That’s why he’s the best bodybuilder of a generation, a role model for men, and an icon in the fitness industry.

Let me know what you think of this video. If you enjoyed it, I might make this into a series.

As always, trust the process.