Flex Lewis Unfiltered Interview: Training Motivation, Workouts & Bodybuilding for Mr. Olympia | E107

Welcome to another episode of In Search of Excellence! My guest today is the incredible Flex Lewis. Flex is a serial entrepreneur, coach, motivational speaker, and one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time. He has won 7 consecutive Mr. Olympia titles.He's also the co-owner of Arsenal, strength gym equipment, the fastest-growing fitness equipment company in the world and the owner of the famous Dragon's Lair Gym in Las Vegas. Time stamps:00:55 Flex’s family and backgroundGrew up in a loving home in WalesHis father was a steel worker and his mother a nurseDecided to be a millionaire as a kid 03:52 Born with a rugby ball in the mouthHe started playing rugby at the age of 6His full name is Steven James LewisFlex is a nickname he got as a kid 06:27 The pressure to better himselfA pressure to become betterHis first entrepreneurial momentDelivering papers on his bikeLearned responsibility and dealing with money13:22 Investing the money he earnedBought a male and female finchStarted breeding and selling them 15:57 Starting a moving companyPowerlifting and starting a moving companyBought his first truck and developed the businessWent an extra mile to do a good job 22:05 Learning from the QuadfatherSpent weekends at his grandparentsDiscovered a book by Tom Platz at 12The book changed his lifeFound weights and started doing squats 26:23 His parents’ worriesHis parents were afraid it would stunt his growthStayed away from training weights for a number of yearsFunny story about his father catching him squatting 28:30 Steve Naylor and his influenceFlex had a lot of admiration for SteveHe was drawn by his humilityStarted training with SteveBodybuilding is all about mind-muscle connection 32:19 Elbow injury and getting a tattooSpent the whole summer building his motocross bikeHad an accident and broke his elbowAfter removing the plaster cast, his arm was deadHad to make it stronger by himselfA tattoo on the weakened arm 38:53 Working in silence and achieving thingsDidn’t like school but liked PE teachersHe had dyslexia or ADHD, was labeled stupidHow schools were failing kids by discouraging themPracticing a handstand and the first day at school 47:26 The first powerlifting competitionFrom high-level rugby to powerlifting showBodybuilding in Wales is a big thingThe competition was held in the Royal Princess Theatre 51:59 Getting on a bodybuilding stageWas drawn by a free gym membershipChanged his diet and watched a lot of VHS videosThe competition and the alter egoPerformed great and won the showDeciding to prepare for British nationalsA 20-year relationship with his coachThe importance of loyalty 1:01:40 Chasing dreams and making sacrificesWinning the British NationalsGot an invitation from Gold’s Gym to come to the USIt was a magical experience and a massive culture shockWorked to save and come againColiseum Gym in CaliforniaSlept on a friend’s sofa for 1.5 yearTrained a lot and waited for an opportunityAbout Randall Kaplan: Randall Kaplan is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, executive coach, co-founder of Akamai Technologies, founder and CEO of JUMP Investors, and host of In Search of Excellence. Through his Extreme Preparation™ methodology, he helps founders, executives, business owners, and ambitious professionals improve strategy, communication, decision-making, and execution.Coaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn | X