In the world of elite bodybuilding, growth, and improvement never stop, even for champions at the pinnacle of the sport. For top IFBB pro-William Bonac, each year brings new challenges and obstacles in his relentless quest for the perfect physique.
William Bonac allows us an inside look at the demanding process of refining his already world-class body in preparation for another run at the Mr. Olympia title.
The Early Years
William Bonac was born in the Netherlands in 1982 and became interested in weightlifting at a young age. He competed as an amateur bodybuilder in his late teens, winning titles like the NABBA Mr. Universe.
After building an impressive foundation of muscle mass, William Bonac earned his IFBB pro card in 2009 by winning the heavyweight class at the Arnolds Classic Europe.
William Bonac steadily rose with top 5 finishes at the New York Pro and Australian Pro shows for his first few years as a pro.
His meticulous approach to training and nutrition was evident in his deeply etched muscle bellies and excellent symmetry.
William Bonac‘s compact yet proportional physique provided the perfect canvas for maximum cuts and separations.
Breakthrough to the Top
The breakthrough came for William Bonac in 2014 when he defeated a stacked lineup to win his first professional show – the prestigious Arnold Classic Brazil. This qualified him for the Mr. Olympia for the first time.
His arrival marked the beginning of Bonac’s steady climb toward the top of the pro ranks.
From 2015 to 2018, he consistently placed top 6 at the Olympia, including an impressive 2nd place finish in 2018 behind record 7-time champion Phil Heath.
William Bonac‘s physique continued improving as he learned to peel off every ounce of fat to display razor-sharp muscularity.
His arms and thighs were particularly sensational, layered with cuts and cross-striations.
William Bonac had cemented himself as one of the top champions in the sport through sheer dedication to his craft.
The Continual Pursuit of Progress
According to William Bonac, complacency is never an option, even after winning pro shows and placing 2nd at the Mr. Olympia.
He notes that his body constantly changes and must find new techniques and strategies.
As William Bonac says, “It doesn’t get easier ever. What worked for you last show may not work for you this show.”
This mindset drives him to leave no stone unturned in pushing his physique to the next level.
No matter how close he gets to perfection, William Bonac believes he can be even better. His competitive drive and winning mentality make satisfaction impossible.
One key strategy William Bonac uses is adjusting his cardio and nutrition protocols before each competition.
He explains that as his body adapts, certain foods or cardio routines lose their effectiveness.
During each prep, William Bonac and his coach experimented with new fat-burning techniques and food choices.
They keep detailed notes and make calculated tweaks to find the ideal formula.
The Preparation Process
Weeks out from big shows like the Arnold Classic or Mr. Olympia, William Bonac goes into serious lockdown mode with extreme training, diet, and recovery discipline.
He trains brutally heavy six days weekly, often doing 2-a-day split sessions. Bonac emphasizes basic compound lifts and isolation moves that target his best muscle groups, like thighs and shoulders.
His nutrition is equally strategic, calibrated for maximum muscle fullness and dryness by show day.
William Bonac eats seven or more small meals daily, emphasizing lean proteins, complex carbs, and healthy fats. As the show nears, he gradually depletes carbs and sodium while increasing cardio.
By peak week, Bonac is doing up to 2 hours of cardio daily and significantly cutting water to tighten his skin. Every detail is noticed.
Peaking for Competition
In the final weeks before stepping on stage, Bonac enters the all-important peak week process.
His coach carefully manipulates water, carbs, and sodium to fill and dry him out at precisely the correct times.
The goal is to achieve the optimal level of vascularity, muscle fullness, and paper-thin skin.
Bonac said he came in around 179 pounds for the 2020 Mr. Olympia.
Several months later, for the 2021 Arnold Classic, he reached the 185-186 pound range due to strategic off-season mass gaining.
However, William Bonac emphasizes his conditioning did not suffer. He promises to deliver the crisp, grainy look fans expect, only at a bigger size.
William Bonac‘s mindset going into competitions is laser-focused. He blocks out hype or criticism and visualizes the flawless routine he will execute.
William Bonac implicitly trusts his preparation process and believes his coach will have him perfectly dialed in.
He is vigilant about staying relaxed, avoiding stress, and letting his work speak for itself on show day.
The Champion Mentality
Throughout his steady rise through the pro bodybuilding ranks, William Bonac has had doubters questioning whether he has what it takes to win the Mr. Olympia title.
Critics point to his shorter height than past champions, believing he can’tcan’t match their mass.
According to Bonac, this only fuels his motivation to train harder. He never forgets the naysayers who claim he is too tiny or unrealistic.
When he finally gets the opportunity, William Bonac is determined to prove his physique can stand alongside any Open division competitor.
He has never let his stature limit his belief in becoming a world champion.
This unrelenting passion for being the best bodybuilder in the world drives William Bonac after 18 long years in the sport. He explains the fire still burns intensely today, perhaps even more than when he started.
William Bonac‘s love and enthusiasm for bodybuilding remain as strong as ever. He will continue upgrading his physique until he achieves his ultimate dream.
The Quest Continues
William Bonac has repeatedly shown the patience and work ethic required to become a champion bodybuilder. He deeply appreciates the detailed, demanding process of sculpting the human body to its uppermost potential.
William Bonac has come closer than ever to winning and capturing the Mr. Olympia title. But he knows the work is never finished. There are always improvements to make and gains to be earned.
For William Bonac, bodybuilding excellence is not a solitary destination but an endless journey of overcoming roadblocks and seeking progress.
He will only compromise or relax once he achieves first place on the ultimate stage. William Bonac‘s relentless drive for perfection has already taken him to remarkable heights, yet his quest continues.