FLEX LEWIS THE GREATEST 212 PRO OF ALL TIME
Muscular Development|September 2022
James "Flex" Lewis was known as "The Welsh Dragon," a phenom who burst on to the pro bodybuilding scene 14 years ago in a new division called "202," which eventually became the 212. He dominated the Olympia stage from 2012 until walking away with seven consecutive titles in 2018. While planning a move to the Open ranks to vie for the Mr. Olympia title, he opened up The Dragon's Lair Gym in Las Vegas, which has become a mecca for top bodybuilders the world over. Lewis is also sponsored by both Monster Energy and Yamamoto Nutrition as well as being part owner of Arsenal Strength equipment. He recently had his second child, a son, and shocked the bodybuilding world when he announced he was retiring and would not be pursuing the Mr. Olympia title. I spoke with this humble champion about that difficult decision as well as the current state of the 212 division and a variety of other topics.
RON HARRIS
FLEX LEWIS THE GREATEST 212 PRO OF ALL TIME

You announced your retirement in May after being away from competition for over three years already. What led to that decision, and how tough was it to make?

The bottom line was that I had to starve myself to get into the 212 class for four of the last seven years I was winning. When I decided to move to the Open, the complete mindset shift went from having to limit my food even in the off-season to force-feeding myself. I've had gut and digestion issues for many years, which I've always documented on my journeys. In that first year, 2019, I had a special invitation to the Mr. Olympia. Neil and I were talking about this yesterday. At 16 weeks out, he saw me and said, "You're going to win the Mr. Olympia." And you know how Neil is. He doesn't bullshit. Unfortunately, my gut and my mindset were on two different levels. My mind was all about winning, but my gut said, you can't even live life right now. I was miserable. I tried everything to fix my gut. I saw two specialists. I went to Medellín, Colombia and had stem cells put into all my body parts, including my gut. I got on a better track for a couple of months, but then once we increased the food again, I was miserable. I put up with that for two years. I can honestly in my heart of hearts walk away knowing that I’d done everything in my power to stay in the game. I spent a small fortune trying to get on that Mr. Olympia stage. The biggest thing I took away from that was there were other things I needed to focus on.

How much bigger were you trying to get? I always thought the way you looked at about five to six weeks out from the 212 shows was plentybig enough.

This story is from the September 2022 edition of Muscular Development.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 2022 edition of Muscular Development.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MUSCULAR DEVELOPMENTView All
Best Cardio for Fat Loss - High Intensity vs. Low Intensity
Muscular Development

Best Cardio for Fat Loss - High Intensity vs. Low Intensity

Low-intensity cardiovascular exercise is the most common way to reduce body fat, despite mounting scientific evidence showing this form of cardiovascular training may not burn body fat as effectively as high-intensity cardio. In addition, low-intensity cardio has also been shown to inhibit muscle growth¹2, making the use of this approach to enhance your physique even more questionable.

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2023
Are Unilateral Exercises More Effective Than Bilateral Exercises?
Muscular Development

Are Unilateral Exercises More Effective Than Bilateral Exercises?

Bilateral exercises simultaneously use both limbs to lift the weight, so that the resistance is being shared between each limb.

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2023
THE AMAZING POWER OF JULIA DI POMPEO
Muscular Development

THE AMAZING POWER OF JULIA DI POMPEO

Pro Figure Champ and Pro Powerlifter!

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2023
BRYAN JONES: THE LORD OF CLASSIC RETURNS!
Muscular Development

BRYAN JONES: THE LORD OF CLASSIC RETURNS!

It seems like a decade has passed since the pandemic began in 2020. That was a chaotic year for all of us. MD sent me to Atlanta to cover the Chicago Pro, because restrictions in Illinois made it impossible to hold Tim Gardner's annual extravaganza there. The athletes still showed up in force to compete, and the Classic Physique division alone featured 30 men. When they came out to be adjudicated, one man stood out in a flash as the one to beat. I had never heard of Bryan Jones until that point aside from a vague recollection that he'd won the USA a couple of years before. With his braided and colored hair piled on top of his head in a gathered bun with the ends appearing to be some type of bizarre plant, I dubbed him \"The Kai Greene of Classic.\" That didn't stick, thankfully, because Bryan \"Lord\" Jones is a unique athlete in his own right. I knew I was looking at a man who was going to make waves in that division. A few months later he did just that, placing fifth in his first Olympia appearance. But we only saw him twice more after that, at the Arnold Classic and once again at the Olympia at the end of 2021. Since then, Jones has been working hard to build the additional size needed to successfully transition to the Open category. I spoke with him about his brief but notable time in Classic, and how he plans to make a big splash in Open.

time-read
10+ mins  |
August 2023
Andrew vs. Hunter: THE BATTLE FOR TEXAS!
Muscular Development

Andrew vs. Hunter: THE BATTLE FOR TEXAS!

A BATTLE IS BREWING

time-read
7 mins  |
August 2023
GET A CLASSIC SUMMER PHYSIQUE WITH LOGAN FRANKLIN
Muscular Development

GET A CLASSIC SUMMER PHYSIQUE WITH LOGAN FRANKLIN

Summer is in full swing, and for the vast majority of bodybuilders that don't compete, this is our showtime! All the many months of toiling away covered up while the sky was dark and gray and icy temperatures had you shivering have led to this. Last month we provided you with eight excellent tips to get ripped and ready, but let's take it a step further. This month, we enlisted the help of Classic Physique superstar and GAT Sport athlete Logan Franklin to come up with his best advice on how to make sure you have the most Classic-looking physique possible to show off on the beaches or at the pool. Here's what he has to say about the Classic look, areas of the physique to emphasize and how, and his best nutrition tips to make sure you turn plenty of heads this summer!

time-read
9 mins  |
August 2023
SUCCESS STORY: YANIV ZUR
Muscular Development

SUCCESS STORY: YANIV ZUR

BALANCING BUSINESS, FAMILY, AND ELITE FITNESS

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2023
HOW MUCH REST IS BEST?
Muscular Development

HOW MUCH REST IS BEST?

Getting enough rest after weight training is essential for optimal muscle growth and performance. Unfortunately, many get insufficient rest because they simply disregard the fact that weightlifting breaks down muscle tissue, creating the requirement for adequate rest to fully recuperate.

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2023
Get Peeled With Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Muscular Development

Get Peeled With Extra Virgin Olive Oil

As you know, pathologic fat accretion results in obesity. The medical community and pharmaceutical industry have been struggling to address this burgeoning condition in the Western culture - particularly in the United States. Obviously, individuals have also been struggling in their attempts to avoid or correct unsightly or unhealthy fat gain. Imagine the shame these professionals and people must feel when they realize they may have been ignoring a risk-free, health-promoting, inexpensive dietary ingredient that can enhance fat loss. Bodybuilders seek potent drugs or supplements to force the metabolism to strip body fat to low single-digit percentages, but failing to acknowledge the foundation of diet can sabotage even their extreme measures.

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2023
CREATINE: THE BEST FORMS
Muscular Development

CREATINE: THE BEST FORMS

New products and formulations are introduced to the supplement market every day. However, it is very rare for a product or especially an ingredient to create noteworthy evolution in supplement performance. Arguably, the greatest leap up this axiomatic evolutionary ladder occurred with the advent of creatine supplements in the 1990s. Creatine has proven over and over to be \"the real deal\" in clinical research and broscience. It's a muscle-building, performance-enhancing supplement that nearly all athletes should use.

time-read
7 mins  |
August 2023