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RAW TRUTH EP. 40
Chris Bumstead & Iain Valliere talk everything from Iain's professional bodybuilding retirement to relationships you make throughout your life.
With Chris so close to the end of his prep and stepping on the Olympia stage, this is sure to be a good one. š
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Watch these two old friends & brothers dive into some deep topics.
- "One of the things Iām proudest of is that I was always just myself. Whether it was giving opinions that pissed people off or saying messed-up jokes on a podcastāI was always me. And now that Iām stepping away from bodybuilding, it gives me peace knowing people followed me for more than just my physique. They followed me because they connected to who I am. Thatās what lasts." Iain Valliere
- "I wanted to ensure that I could still walk out of bodybuilding on the other side with a positive outlook and not resentment. I never want to be that bitter guy looking back. Iām happy with what I accomplished. I didnāt want to wait until my body or health forced me out. I wanted to leave on my own terms, with gratitude and excitement about whatās next." Iain Valliere
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"Even when I say the word āretired,ā I kind of cringe. I donāt even like saying it. But I guess I am. Iām not competing anymore. Iāve departed from the stageāfrom that world. And the thing isā¦ Itās exciting. Itās exciting to feel all the other things life has to offer. Itās also weird because I donāt even know what I like. I donāt know what food I like. I donāt even know what I like to do outside of bodybuilding. Thatās how consuming it was." Iain Valliere
- "It got to a point where I felt like I was just doing it because I felt like I was supposed toānot because I wanted to, or because it was what I truly loved anymore. It wasn't about placings. It was about realizing that the purpose and excitement I felt at the start was gone. And I was craving something elseāsomething that felt more aligned with who I am today." Iain Valliere
- "Iāve done a lot in bodybuilding. Iāve seen what Iām capable of when I give 120%āwhen I eat every meal, train perfectly, and sleep right. Now I want to take that same discipline and test it in something totally new. Itās not about being the best in the world. Itās about finding out what else I can do while Iām still at my best mentally and physically." Iain Valliere
- "I think people come for the crazy lifts and crazy physiques, but they stay for more than that. They stay because of who you are. They stay when youāre relatableāwhen they see a real human underneath the muscle. Thatās why I say: donāt make yourself just one thing. Be more than your body. Be more than your stage photo. Thatās what people truly connect to." Iain Valliere