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What Supplements Does Derek Lunsford Use? An Inside Look at the Olympia Stack

4 min read

As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, bodybuilding champion Derek Lunsford has shifted his primary supplement sponsorship to Jocko Fuel, though his previous long-term relationship with Evogen Nutrition shaped much of his past regimen. This strategic change highlights his evolving approach to performance and health, relying on a trusted, high-quality supplement line.

Quick Summary

A breakdown of Derek Lunsford's supplement regimen, detailing his current Jocko Fuel and other staple products, including workout-specific stacks and year-round health essentials. It examines the purpose behind each category, from muscle recovery to overall wellness, for high-level athletic performance.

Key Points

  • Core Health Focus: Lunsford relies on foundational supplements like fish oil, multivitamins, and liver support year-round to maintain optimal internal health.

  • Strategic Workout Timing: He uses a performance-based stack with specific timing, including pre-workout energy, intra-workout aminos and carbs, and post-workout protein.

  • Intra-Workout Essential: The intra-workout shake, containing EAAs, creatine, and carbs, is a cornerstone of his training strategy for endurance and recovery.

  • Sponsorship Transition: While formerly with Evogen Nutrition, Lunsford's recent stack primarily features products from his current sponsor, Jocko Fuel.

  • Supplementation Complements Whole Foods: Lunsford emphasizes that supplements are a complement to his high-quality diet, with real food being the most 'anabolic' factor.

  • Importance of Hydration: He includes a focus on hydration, using electrolyte-rich drinks or homemade mixes to support performance and pump.

In This Article

Derek Lunsford's Current Supplement Stack

Champion bodybuilder Derek Lunsford maintains a meticulously planned supplement stack to support his rigorous training, recovery, and overall health. While his sponsorships have evolved over his career, his focus on core, effective products remains consistent. He categorizes his supplementation into two main areas: year-round health support and workout-specific performance boosters.

The Year-Round Health Essentials

Lunsford's foundation is a series of supplements designed to keep his body functioning optimally, which is critical for a high-performance athlete. These are staples in his diet whether he is bulking or cutting.

  • Fish Oil (Omega-3s): Crucial for heart health, brain function, and reducing inflammation, which is common with intense training.
  • Liver Support Formulas: Given the demands placed on a bodybuilder's liver, supporting its health is a priority for Lunsford.
  • Immune Support Formulas: A strong immune system is necessary to stay consistent with training, preventing sickness from sidelining his progress.
  • Vitamins D and C: Vitamin D is vital for bone health and immune function, while Vitamin C is an antioxidant that also supports the immune system.
  • Probiotics: For gut health, which aids in nutrient absorption and overall wellness.
  • Hydration Support: A homemade hydration drink with water, lemons, and Celtic salt, or Jocko Hydrate drink packs, are used to replenish electrolytes lost during intense exercise.

The Workout-Specific Performance Stack

Around his training, Lunsford strategically uses supplements to maximize performance, endurance, and recovery. He has been a long-time advocate for the intra-workout shake, a core part of his routine for years.

Pre-Workout Fuel

Before hitting the gym, Lunsford uses a pre-workout to boost energy and focus. While previously using Evogen products like EVP 3D and EVP Xtreme, his current stack may feature Jocko Fuel's alternatives. Depending on the intensity, he may include additional amino acids to prepare his muscles.

Intra-Workout Shake

This is a critical component for Lunsford, often consisting of amino acids, creatine, and carbohydrates to fuel his workout. The goal is to sustain energy and prevent catabolism during intense sessions.

  • Essential Amino Acids (EAAs) & BCAAs: He uses a product like Jocko Fuel's Amino product or formerly Evogen's AminoKem to deliver essential building blocks for muscle repair during his workout.
  • Creatine: A non-negotiable for strength and endurance, Lunsford adds 5-10g of creatine to his intra-workout shake.
  • Carbohydrates: For sustained energy, he adds 25-50g of carbohydrates, sometimes using a product like Carbo Plus, adjusting the amount based on his carb-cycling phase.

Post-Workout Recovery

Immediately after training, Lunsford prioritizes fast-digesting protein to kickstart the recovery process. This is typically a high-quality whey isolate.

  • Whey Isolate Protein: Lunsford consumes a significant amount of whey isolate post-workout, often two scoops, providing around 50 grams of protein to flood his muscles with amino acids.

Comparison of General Health vs. Performance Stacks

Feature Year-Round Health Stack Workout Performance Stack
Primary Goal Optimize internal health, support vital organs, and boost immunity. Maximize performance, endurance, and recovery during exercise.
Key Components Fish Oil, Multivitamins, Probiotics, Vitamin D/C, Liver Support. Pre-workout, Creatine, Amino Acids (EAAs/BCAAs), Carbohydrates, Whey Isolate.
Timing Typically consumed with meals throughout the day for consistent support. Taken specifically around the workout window (before, during, and after).
Adjustability Largely consistent regardless of training phase (bulking or cutting). Dosage and specific ingredients may be adjusted based on training intensity and diet.
Role in Training Foundational support, preventing deficiencies that could hinder progress. Direct fuel for the training session and immediate recovery afterward.
Example Products Jocko Hydrate, Jocko Molk, Fish Oil, Multivitamin. Jocko Go, Jocko Molk (for whey), Creatine.

Evolution of Sponsorships and Product Choices

It's important to note that Lunsford's supplement choices have been influenced by his sponsorships over time. He was a long-time athlete for Evogen Nutrition, using their specific products like AminoKem, EVP 3D, and their whey protein. In recent years, he transitioned to Jocko Fuel, incorporating their product line into his regimen. This shift, common for professional athletes, means that while the core principles of his stack remain the same, the specific brand names may have changed. For instance, he now utilizes Jocko Molk protein and Jocko Go energy drinks as part of his strategy. Athletes and fans can see his current affiliations on his Instagram page.

Conclusion

Derek Lunsford's supplement stack is a testament to the fact that top-tier athletes require a comprehensive approach to nutrition, encompassing both general health and performance-specific needs. His regimen starts with a solid foundation of vitamins, minerals, and organ support, essential for the demanding life of a bodybuilder. This is then layered with strategic, timed supplementation around his workouts to maximize muscle repair, energy, and strength. While his specific brand loyalties may shift with sponsorships, the core components of his supplement strategy—protein, creatine, amino acids, and multivitamins—remain constant, reflecting established best practices in elite bodybuilding.

Check out the Jocko Fuel page featuring Derek Lunsford for a look at his current sponsor's products.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, while he was a longtime Evogen Nutrition athlete, his primary supplement sponsorship is now with Jocko Fuel. He has been seen using Jocko Fuel products since at least 2024.

As part of his current sponsorship with Jocko Fuel, Derek Lunsford uses their protein powder, Jocko Molk, particularly a whey isolate formula, for his post-workout needs.

Yes, Derek Lunsford is a proponent of creatine and includes 5-10g in his intra-workout shake, mixing it with amino acids and carbs to enhance his performance and strength.

Lunsford uses a homemade hydration mix with water, lemons, and Celtic salt. Alternatively, he uses Jocko Hydrate stick packs or drink, which provides electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium.

In addition to his pre-workout formula from Jocko Fuel, his earlier stack with Evogen included products like EVP 3D and EVP Xtreme, sometimes paired with extra amino acids depending on training intensity.

Yes, Lunsford includes an anti-aging multivitamin in his daily, year-round stack to ensure his body receives all the necessary vitamins and minerals for optimal function.

For a competitive bodybuilder, the body is under immense strain. Liver support supplements are used to help maintain liver health and function, which is critical for processing nutrients and filtering waste.

References

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Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.