Competing in Bodybuilding As A Natural Athlete With Lisa Lum

Hey, friend! I just had one of the coolest conversations with Lisa Lum, a three-time world champion natural bodybuilder and now a show promoter. If you're into bodybuilding, fitness, or just want some real talk about health, aging, and staying natural, you're gonna love what Lisa shared. I'm Robert Sikes, and I'm excited to bring you all the good stuff from our chat.

Before we jump in, if you want to learn how to get shredded naturally, build muscle the right way, and avoid all the confusion around diets and supplements, don't miss my FREE Bodybuilding Masterclass. It's packed with my proven 7-phase system that helped me drop from 16% to 3.9% body fat and earn my WNBF pro card. Now, back to Lisa's story!

Lisa's Journey: From Competitor to Champion and Now Promoter

Lisa Lum is a powerhouse in the natural bodybuilding world. She's a three-time world champ, winning in 2016, 2018, and 2021, and she just competed in 2024, placing second. And guess what? She's 62 years old and still killing it! She started competing back in the late 90s when women's bodybuilding was the only category. No bikini or figure classes back then. Just straight-up bodybuilding.

Lisa told me how she got started after college when she struggled with terrible migraines and decided to get moving. That simple step turned into a lifelong passion for fitness and competing. She's done over 40 shows and has been a consistent force in the sport for decades.

Why She Chose Natural Bodybuilding

Lisa's story is all about longevity and health. After years of competing in NPC shows (which are not natural), she found the WNBF, a natural bodybuilding federation, in 2016. She immediately loved the natural approach and the community. Lisa shared how it's all about the "long haul": building muscle and fitness over time without shortcuts or harmful substances.

She's stayed completely natural, no supplements beyond a basic multivitamin, no hormone replacements, no creatine, nothing. She's proud of that and says it's about being the best version of yourself without cheating the process.

Breaking Free from the Cycle of Weight Fluctuations and Disordered Eating

One of the most powerful parts of our chat was Lisa's honesty about the challenges competitors face with eating and body image. She explained how in the past she would "dirty bulk", eating everything in sight after a show, gaining a lot of fat, feeling terrible, and then going into depression. This cycle is common but rarely talked about openly.

Lisa broke free from that by adopting what she calls a "reverse diet" approach, where she gradually adjusts her food intake to stabilize her weight after shows instead of bingeing or starving herself. She warns competitors to avoid "dirty bulking" and to focus on eating quality, nutrient-dense foods consistently. This approach helps keep both the body and mind healthy.

Her Nutrition Style: Balanced and Whole Foods

Lisa eats a mixed diet focusing on whole foods like chicken, turkey, lean beef, rice, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, and lots of veggies. She measures her food but doesn't obsess over calories or macros. During prep, she cleans up on sauces and junk food but doesn't do extreme cuts. Interestingly, she sometimes increases calories slightly in the last weeks before a show to stay full while still leaning out.

Training and Staying Consistent

Lisa trains hard year-round, even as she's gotten older. She still splits her workouts, sometimes hitting legs in the morning and upper body in the evening. She includes cardio daily, often HIIT in the morning, sometimes fasted. Her secret? Consistency.

Lisa does something every day, no matter what. That's the key to her longevity in the sport and her ability to stay in great shape even without competing.

Longevity and Aging Gracefully

Lisa's story proves that natural bodybuilding isn't just about looking good on stage — it's about living a healthy, active life well into your 60s and beyond. She talks about how her lifestyle lets her do all the things she loves, keep up with family, and feel good every day.

She's faced menopause naturally, with hot flashes and changes, but she didn't feel the need to use hormone replacement therapy. Instead, she embraces the natural process and focuses on mental health and acceptance.

Judging and Giving Back to the Sport

Besides competing, Lisa also loves judging. She started test judging in 2016 and now judges around ten shows a year. She prefers judging because it lets her meet so many athletes and encourage them. She also stresses the importance of attending judges' feedback sessions to improve as a competitor.

Lisa has noticed trends like competitors getting bigger and leaner, especially in the bikini and bodybuilding categories. She also sees more athletes taking time off to build muscle, which helps them come in stronger and more symmetrical.

Promoting the Portland Rain Natural Classic

Now, Lisa is stepping up as a promoter with her first show, the Portland Rain Natural Classic, happening September 20th in Multnomah Village, Oregon. She's excited but admits it's a lot of work finding venues, setting up websites, marketing, and handling registrations.

She's funding the show mostly out of pocket and keeps it small for the first year. Lisa's goal is to get the word out that natural bodybuilding is welcoming to everyone. She's also focusing on creating a great experience for athletes, with prizes and support.

She shared some insights about competitor habits, like how many wait until the last minute to register, which makes promotion tricky. Lisa encourages competitors to register early to lock in their commitment and stay motivated.

Supporting Athletes and Growing the Community

Lisa's heart is clearly with the athletes. She's doing posing classes, offering nutrition advice, and building a supportive community in Oregon. She's also partnered with local businesses for sponsorships and plans to grow the event each year.

What I Learned from Lisa and Why You Should Care

Lisa's story is inspiring for so many reasons:

• She's proof that natural bodybuilding is for all ages and can be a lifetime journey.
• Her approach to nutrition and training is balanced and sustainable, with no quick fixes.
• She openly talks about the mental struggles competitors face and how to overcome them.
• She's giving back to the sport by judging and promoting new shows to grow the natural bodybuilding community.
• Her mindset about aging, health, and happiness is refreshing and real.

If you're thinking about competing or just want to get healthier and stronger naturally, Lisa's insights are gold. She shows that it's not about being the biggest or most shredded, but about consistency, mindset, and loving the process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is natural bodybuilding?

Natural bodybuilding means competing without using performance-enhancing drugs or hormones. Organizations by drug testing on their athletes and subject them to polygraph tests. It focuses on building muscle and conditioning through hard work, good nutrition, and patience.

How does Lisa approach her nutrition?

Lisa eats mostly whole foods like lean meats, rice, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, and lots of vegetables. She measures her food but doesn't obsess over calories. She avoids junk food and sauces during prep but keeps a balanced diet year-round.

How does Lisa train and stay consistent?

She trains most days, splitting workouts between morning and evening sessions. She includes cardio daily, often fasted HIIT. The key is moving every day and staying consistent over time.

Why did Lisa switch from NPC to WNBF?

She wanted to compete naturally and found the WNBF, which is a natural federation. She loves the focus on health, longevity, and the supportive community.

What advice does Lisa have for new competitors?

Register early for shows to commit fully, avoid dirty bulking after competitions, and focus on consistent, quality nutrition and training. Also, attend judges' feedback sessions to improve.

Is it possible to compete naturally at an older age?

Absolutely! Lisa competed into her 60s and says natural bodybuilding supports longevity and a healthy lifestyle.

Ready to Take Your Bodybuilding Journey to the Next Level?

If Lisa's story fired you up, I want to help you get started on your own natural bodybuilding or fitness journey. Join my FREE Bodybuilding Masterclass where I'll show you my 7-phase system that helped me lose over 30 pounds, drop to 3.9% body fat, and earn my pro card, all naturally.

In this masterclass, you'll learn how to:

• Escape diet confusion and create a plan that works for you
• Build muscle and lose fat without endless cardio or expensive supplements
• Eat delicious, satisfying foods while staying shredded
• Maintain your gains and health long term with smart reverse dieting

Don't wait to get started. Click here to join now and unleash the SAVAGE within you!

Join the FREE Bodybuilding Masterclass!

Final Thoughts

Lisa Lum's story is a reminder that natural bodybuilding is more than a sport; it's a lifestyle that supports health, happiness, and longevity. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned athlete, her approach to training, nutrition, and mindset can inspire you to keep going strong for years to come.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you found this as motivating as I did. Remember, it's not about being perfect, but about being consistent and loving the journey. Stay savage and keep pushing!

Episode Chapters:

Chapters:

0:00 Lisa's Journey: 3-Time World Champion

1:59 Why Natural Bodybuilding is Superior

5:48 Overcoming Migraines Through Bodybuilding

7:48 Long-Term Success in Natural Bodybuilding

11:33 Managing Post-Competition Eating

13:27 Reverse Dieting for Natural Athletes

17:04 Transitioning from Building to Cutting

18:49 How Natural Athletes Prep for Shows

22:03 Consistency in Training and Cardio

23:46 Building Community in Bodybuilding

27:06 Natural Bodybuilding During Menopause

28:49 Aging Gracefully with Natural Practices

32:04 Choosing Happiness in Fitness Goals

33:36 Importance of Judges' Feedback

37:05 Teens Starting Bodybuilding Younger

38:46 Health Over Size in Natural Bodybuilding

42:18 Challenges for Masters Competitors

43:56 Improving Symmetry for Competition

47:07 Balancing Personal Goals and Bodybuilding

48:53 Challenges of Promoting a Show

52:13 Why Register Early for Competitions

53:39 Sponsorship and Event Promotion

56:46 Backstage Efforts in Competitions

58:13 Excitement for Upcoming Show