Physical Perfection | @ChrisBumstead | EP 423

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson speaks with five-time consecutive Mr. Olympia Classic Physique champion, businessman, and public speaker, Chris Bumstead. They discuss how Chris was introduced to bodybuilding, how he combatted anxiety and a speech impediment in his upbringing and early career, where he’s at now following a five-year win streak, and how he balances his values between sport, business, marriage, and soon-to-be fatherhood.

Hailing from Canada, Chris Bumstead (AKA “CBUM”) has taken the fitness world by storm, becoming a five-time Mr. Olympia Classic Physique Champion. With his unmatched physique, unwavering dedication, and infectious enthusiasm, Chris has become a true icon of the sport. With over 22 million followers, Chris is an inspiration for individuals worldwide.

Chris is a proud owner of RAW Nutrition, a premium sports nutrition line, as well as BUM Energy, an exciting new lifestyle energy drink.

This episode was recorded on January 19th, 2024

Dr. Peterson's extensive catalog is available now on DailyWire+

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- Links -

2024 tour details can be found here

Peterson Academy

For Chris Bumstead:

CBUM Energy (Website)

CBUM Fitness On Instagram

Raw Nutrition (website)

- Chapters -

(0:00) Tour update 2024

(0:40) Coming up

(1:10) Intro

(2:59) Debuting as a professional bodybuilder, the structure and hierarchy of the sport

(4:52) How the Classic Physique division differs from others, the Arnold years

(7:06) The dietary regimen of the five-time consecutive Mr. Olympia

(8:58) Bodybuilding is a sport that hinges on aesthetics

(9:55) Starting at 14 and seeing early success

(14:04) Building discipline by following passion, finding solace in the gym

(18:04) Getting over feeling self-conscious in the gym: “It’s not as judgmental as people think.”

(19:57) The precursor to the redeemer is the fool, how to become an honest master at something

(21:53) Chris Bumstead struggled with public speaking—how he got past the fear

(24:40) The radical biological change that happens when you make the conscious choice to improve

(28:22) Growing up with a speech impediment, how Chris found his voice and self identity

(31:42) If people like the false front you present, that’s all they like about you

(34:09) Say what you believe regardless of the consequences

(36:07) Why you feel butterflies in your stomach when you’re nervous, heightened non-specific arousal

(41:06) The difference between nervousness over judgment and expectation

(44:21) Conquering fear is not the absence of fear, there’s nothing brave about security

(47:40) Why continue after attaining wild success? When to find the next challenge

(55:05) The Future Authoring program: Can you imagine yourself five years in the future?

(59:02) One of Jordan Peterson's greatest personal motivators

(59:44) True mastery is marked by the spirit of play, how this applies to parenting

(1:00:50) Where Chris is headed: “Bodybuilding was never forever.”

(1:07:36) Jocko Willink, self-development and the meaning found in helping others develop

(1:12:16) The vastly undersold advantage of emotional honesty

(1:16:55) Married life and negotiating commitment toward truth in a relationship

(1:26:27) The true reward in triumph isn’t the prize, but those who saw it through alongside you

(1:28:29) Chris asks Jordan for advice for new parents

(1:36:59) Managing jealousy and resentment within a family

(1:40:14) Thinking long-term, planned togetherness, and taking on new mountains

// LINKS //

Tour Locations

// COURSES //

Discovering Personality

Self Authoring Suite

Understand Myself (personality test)