IFBB Pro Hunter Labrada explains what went wrong in his 2022 Mr.Olympia prep with coach Ben Chow. He expresses they did push the diet hard enough but missed their peak. Hunter plans on competing 3 times in 2023. Is Hunter making the right changes in order to see improvements in his physique? If not, then why continue to compete?
Hunter speaks about turning off and tuning out of social media after his poor performance at the 2022 Mr. Olympia. Bodybuilding as a whole is no longer a show-based sport. Nowadays, being a bodybuilder goes way beyond show day. Social media is a crucial avenue for bodybuilders to grow and thrive in what is now a business rather than a simple competition or set of competitions.
Hunter explains that he and Ben might have fallen short on a couple of things but he claims it was primarily the peak. However, I do not believe the peak was that bad. The issue Hunter had on show day was his conditioning. Hunter needed to get more conditioned before starting the peak. Hunter was not in shape. One of the only good things to come out of his poor performance at the 2022 Olympia this year is that he no longer automatically qualifies for the 2023 Olympia. He is going to have to do 2 shows in order to qualify for it this year.
Hunter then touches on all the criticism or “hate” he experiences on social media. He mentions it does not bother him, but 45 seconds later, he says it can get to him. Hunter needs someone to manage his social media, especially when he is close to or around show time, to make sure those things do not affect him. From what he said, it sounds like these things obviously bother him if he is bringing them up, despite him at first claiming they do not. You either CAN handle criticism or you CAN’T, it’s as simple as that.
We hope to see Hunter make the necessary changes, primarily to his diet, and see him succeed in the several shows to come in 2023!
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