How Sommerfeld makes gains with a health emergency.
Last updated on August 13th, 2025
2025 Arnold Classic Physique champion Mike Sommerfeld dealt with a dental emergency in mid-August 2025. “A cyst under my back tooth,” Sommerfeld explained his oral dilemma that caused inflammation and pain. As a result, he couldn’t comfortably chew food.
With the 2025 Olympia on Oct. 9-12, in Las Vegas, NV, fast approaching, the frontrunner for Chris Bumstead’s vacant Classic Physique throne drank three meals daily. Sommerfeld shared his recovery process and current shredding diet 10 weeks out from the 2025 Olympia in early October.
150-Gram Protein Chicken Shake
Sommerfeld’s chicken soup recipe includes “600 grams of chicken…blended to a nice juicy soup…it tastes like grandma’s soup for real. Really good.” The blend includes onions and garlic for anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and other health benefits. (1)(2)
600 grams of cooked chicken equals 150 grams of pure protein with no carbs.
—Mike Sommerfeld
Sports science suggests .7 to 1.2 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight daily optimizes muscle protein synthesis. (3)(4)(5) The chicken shake is split into three timed servings for Sommerfeld’s recovery needs:
- Morning — (50 grams of protein): 200 grams of chicken breast, chicken bone broth, turmeric, black pepper, and lemon for joint and immune health.
- Post-Workout — (50 grams of protein): 200 grams of chicken breast, coconut water, spinach, garlic, and ginger for electrolytes and circulation.
- Evening — (50 grams of protein): 200 grams of chicken breast, almond milk, chia seeds, and fresh herbs.
Spacing protein intake is easier, though food timing isn’t as important as daily protein consumption. (6)
Diet Push Phase: 10 Weeks Out
Sommerfeld described his diet phase 10 weeks out from the Olympia as “Low carb — 100 grams of carbs total per day to lower body fat drastically.” After this, he’ll break briefly before the final four-week push to Las Vegas.
Training Through Pain
Sommerfeld’s leg day and strategy for rapid healing before surgery involves leaning on peptides like TB500 and Thymosin Alpha 1. “TB500 heals soft tissue…I need instant healing…Thymosin Alpha 1 boosts my immune system,” Sommerfeld explained.
Mike Sommerfeld’s Leg Routine
Sommerfeld powered through his training despite his current oral pains, encouraged by his mantra, “No excuses.” He performed explosive concentrics and slow, controlled eccentrics during leg curls. According to literature, this tempo may be ideal for muscle gains (7) Post-workout recovery comprises salted caramel whey shake with rice cookies, tracking carbs. Two meals are carb-free.
Coffee Ritual
“One and a half liters of coffee every day,” Sommerfeld shared, which amounts to two shaker cups full. “Getting ready for the show…more caffeine…fat burning.” Some research suggests caffeine helps burn fat via extra calorie expenditure and increasing energy. (8)(9)
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References
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- Hector AJ, Phillips SM. Protein Recommendations for Weight Loss in Elite Athletes: A Focus on Body Composition and Performance. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2018 Mar 1;28(2):170-177. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2017-0273. Epub 2018 Feb 19. PMID: 29182451.
- Tagawa R, Watanabe D, Ito K, Ueda K, Nakayama K, Sanbongi C, Miyachi M. Dose-response relationship between protein intake and muscle mass increase: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutr Rev. 2020 Nov 4;79(1):66–75. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuaa104. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33300582; PMCID: PMC7727026.
- Macnaughton LS, Wardle SL, Witard OC, McGlory C, Hamilton DL, Jeromson S, Lawrence CE, Wallis GA, Tipton KD. The response of muscle protein synthesis following whole-body resistance exercise is greater following 40 g than 20 g of ingested whey protein. Physiol Rep. 2016 Aug;4(15):e12893. doi: 10.14814/phy2.12893. PMID: 27511985; PMCID: PMC4985555.
- Schoenfeld BJ, Grgic J, Van Every DW, Plotkin DL. Loading Recommendations for Muscle Strength, Hypertrophy, and Local Endurance: A Re-Examination of the Repetition Continuum. Sports (Basel). 2021 Feb 22;9(2):32. doi: 10.3390/sports9020032. PMID: 33671664; PMCID: PMC7927075.
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- Tabrizi R, Saneei P, Lankarani KB, Akbari M, Kolahdooz F, Esmaillzadeh A, Nadi-Ravandi S, Mazoochi M, Asemi Z. The effects of caffeine intake on weight loss: a systematic review and dos-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(16):2688-2696. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2018.1507996. Epub 2018 Oct 18. PMID: 30335479.
Featured image: @mikethebadass on Instagram
