On Episode 290 of The Menace Podcast, Dennis James and regular panelists Milos Sarcev and Chris Cormier were joined by special guest William Bonac, who explained that at 44 years of age, he’s still seeing progress with his physique, won’t take another break, and has no desire to be drowned out by negative voices.
William Bonac qualified for the 2026 Mr. Olympia final after an impressive victory at the IFBB Tsunami Nutrition Showdown Pro on June 6, and is hoping to improve on the ninth place that he achieved at the ‘O’ last year.
When it comes to the Olympia, Bonac has been a prolific competitor. In fact, 2026 will mark his twelfth appearance at bodybuilding’s most prestigious show. Still, many observers have pointed out that Bonac’s best results could be behind him. That’s because after coming second place in 2019, the big man hasn’t cracked the top five since 2020. Fortunately, he told TMP that he prefers to look forward and concentrate on what’s to come.
“I don’t listen to what other people say,” explained Bonac. “I don’t care about (their) opinion. But it’s like, what I see, and what my coach see(s).” The Open division competitor explained that progress updates are of constant encouragement for him, because his physique continues to change. “A lot of people say yeah, but you looked better in your prime, and blah, blah, blah, and I don’t see it that way,” he shared.
William Bonac’s Complete Mr. Olympia Competition History
2025: Ninth
2024: Seventh
2022: Ninth
2021: Sixth
2020: Fifth
2019: Second
2018: Fourth
2017: Third
2016: Fifth
2015: Eighth
2014: Fifteenth
How Bonac Avoids Regrets in Competitive Bodybuilding
“The way I see it right now is, each time I want to hang up my trunks, I see like, ‘Hey, my physique is getting better,’” explained Bonac of his desire to continue with competitive bodybuilding. “And I don’t want to regret anything, you know?”
While the current Mr Olympia, Derek Lunsford, is only 33 years old, the oldest Mr. Olympia of all-time is Chris Dickerson who was 43, closely followed by the late Shawn Rhoden, who was also 43, but a few months younger.
Bonac has taken breaks from bodybuilding in the past, but he says that he’s all-in on the road to Sin City. “I can’t say, like ‘hey, I’m gonna stop now again,’” shared the popular bodybuilder. “It’s all a waste of time again, you know I (would) have to build back muscle tissues and so on.” Bonac opened up to the gang and understands that one day he will hang up the trunks for good, but certainly not while he feels his physique is getting better.
To watch episode 290 of The Menace Podcast in full, and catch up on all the latest bodybuilding news, see below.
