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Cover Story: This is 52! Steven Kendrick – 4X IPL Pro Champ Talks Age, Muscle Maturity & Finding Balance

At 52, Steven Kendrick isn’t just breaking records—he’s redefining what it means to peak in bodybuilding. A four-time IPL Pro Champion, Kendrick has become a testament to the power of muscle maturity, discipline, and resilience. With a career that spans over two decades of powerlifting and bodybuilding, his journey is a living example of how age is no barrier to excellence—it’s an opportunity for growth. In this exclusive interview, Kendrick opens up about the mental and physical transformations that have fueled his continued success, how he adapts his training and diet with age, and why he’s just getting started. In a sport that often sees athletes burn out in their prime, Kendrick is proving that the pursuit of greatness has no expiration date.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BEN YOSEF

“IT’S CRAZY TO SAY THAT I FEEL I AM JUST NOW STARTING TO PEAK, PHYSICALLY.”

ATHLETIC MAGAZINE: Steven, congratulations on earning your fourth Pro title in the IPL! Your dedication, discipline, and resilience are truly inspiring. At 52, you’re not just competing—you’re setting new standards for what’s possible in bodybuilding. How does it feel to continue pushing boundaries in bodybuilding at this stage in your life?
STEVEN KENDRICK: I have always pushed myself in the area of physical improvement. I spent many years competing in powerlifting and did very well. I eventually switched over to bodybuilding at the age of 38, because I felt that I needed to save my joints, and felt I could achieve higher levels of fitness in this sport. It’s crazy to say that I feel that I am just now starting to peak physically and that is because I feel that I’m beginning to understand my body and how I respond to the dieting and training. 
     Before, I made the mistake of trying to diet and train the exact same way I did when I was 38. I do feel that I can continue to improve, and I know that the next time I step on stage I will bring an even better package than ever before. So, to sum up, I feel so proud of what I have achieved thus far, especially at the age of 52. And especially when this is the age most have retired from competing.
AM: Your physique and performance at IPL APEX VIII in Phoenix was arguably your best yet. What do you think contributed to achieving such an impressive physique for this show, and how did you approach this competition differently from previous ones?
SK: I feel that realizing I needed to make some changes in my diet and training programs were key to making improvements for this last show. However, I do feel there are more changes that I need to make to get even more dialed in for future shows. Each person is different in how they will respond to the food choices and training routines. It would be nice if there was a one size fits all, but I do feel this would make this lifestyle choice monotonous. So, learning what works best for each of us keeps it exciting throughout the process of show prep.

“SO, PATIENCE IS THE KEY. THAT MAY BE THE TRUE MATURITY WITH AGE.”

     I have found as I have aged my body doesn’t particularly care for too many carbs. Therefore, a change I made for this last show in particular was that my carb intake was very minimal, but with a steep increase in protein. As always, my training routines are 3-3.5 hours long of just weights. Those close to me know that I do this because I hate cardio. But for APEX, I added cardio. This caused me to have to do two a days, which consisted of weight training in the early day and returning in the evening for an hour of cardio and 30-60 minutes of abs. 
AM: Muscle maturity is a concept that gets discussed a lot in bodybuilding, especially as athletes age. How would you describe the role of muscle maturity in your physique, and how has it evolved over the years?
SK: Yes, I believe muscle maturity can be a factor. However, I feel that once a person learns how their body responds at their current age and adapts as they age, I feel they can achieve this much quicker. The key factor is time. And as we all know, building muscle naturally can be a slow process. So, it can be a little more difficult for someone to figure out what works best for them and adjusting throughout the whole show prep. However, you have to get out of your head and not try to rush the process. Take the time to learn your body through testing different factors, which can take a good deal of time due to slow changes. As for me, I wish I would have spent more time doing this at a younger age, because I feel that I would have been further along in development. But like most people in this sport, I became impatient. So, patience is the key. That may be the true maturity with age.
AM: Age is often seen as a barrier in this sport, but you seem to be defying that narrative. What advice would you give to those who believe age limits progress in this sport?

“I BELIEVE IN LISTENING TO MY BODY AND NO ONE ELSE. STAYING INJURY-FREE IS THE BIGGEST FACTOR THAT I FEEL ENABLES US TO PROGRESS AS WE AGE.”

SK: I feel we limit ourselves by listening to what others say such as, “At your age you shouldn’t be doing certain things.” I believe in listening to my body and no one else. Staying injury-free is the biggest factor that I feel enables us to progress as we age. Learning how to adapt and work around things and not just “pushing through.” Not staying set to a particular routine also helps, because different body parts recover at different intervals. So, if a body part is ready sooner, don’t be scared to train it and push the other back until it has recovered. 
AM: You’ve mentioned that competing over the last year and a half has been a true test of both your physical and mental strength. Can you share more about the mental challenges you’ve faced and how you’ve overcome them?
SK: Mental health is a huge topic of discussion these days. And is something that I personally feel needs to be addressed further. I can only answer from the perspective of a man. I grew up in that era where men didn’t discuss feelings. You just sucked it up and did what had to be done. For most of my life, until recently, that has been the mentality that I have lived with. I may not have had the worst life, but I have had my fair share of stressors and experiences to realize that mentally I was in a bad place for so long.
     To quickly sum up some of my battles that I’ve had to overcome…I lost my father at the age of 13 in a coal mining accident, joined the Navy becoming a Fleet Marine Force Corpsman with a 20 year career which includes 3 combat tours, 2 of which were in Iraq and I was part of the initial invasion, and 1 tour to Afghanistan, two failed marriages, deciding to become a physician assistant and finishing my undergrad while on active duty. Also, the pains that go along with raising a boy for 18 years and all the changes they go through, combined with a new marriage and roughly about the same time helping her open her business. So, training for the shows has helped me to focus. However, there are some issues that arise with dieting and training that in itself are difficult mentally.

“HOWEVER, AS FOR A MAN, SOMETIMES ALL HE NEEDS IS THE LOVE AND SUPPORT FROM HIS WIFE AND FAMILY.”

     Having people that you can talk to that understand your issues, life experiences or are just willing to listen are so valuable. So, please if a man chooses to open up to you don’t shut him down or dismiss his feelings, because he may never trust you with his feelings. I have also read numerous books on leadership, masculine energy and various self improvement topics. I also sought personal counseling. However, as for a man, sometimes all he needs is the love and support from his wife and family.
AM: Bodybuilding requires a lot of discipline and commitment, and you’ve been incredibly successful. How do you balance the rigorous demands of training and competition with your family life and personal time?
SK: Yes, this is very time consuming and demanding on anyone involved in your life. The only way to achieve success is you either have to be single, or if you happen to be married you have to have the support and understanding of what it is that you’re trying to accomplish. The first show is usually the most difficult in that no one truly knows what to expect. This is very hard on anyone involved.
     The most important thing before you commit to this lifestyle is that you have to have conversations with the people in your life that are going to be involved, so they understand how this is going to affect your social and personal life. For me, I have had the luxury due to my work schedule of that portion not causing too many issues. Mostly, at the end of the day, it comes down to having supportive people that truly do understand the lifestyle.

“…IN THIS SPORT WE ALL WANT THE MOST POSSIBLE, THE QUICKEST WAY POSSIBLE, WHICH LEADS SO MANY DOWN THAT DARK ROAD OF PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS.”

AM: In your statement for the announcement of this ATHLETIC Magazine cover, you gave a heartfelt shout-out to your wife and family. How important has their support been to your success, and how do they play a role in your journey both on and off the stage?
SK: As I mentioned, having supportive people to be there for you, to lift you up on those days that you feel like giving up and to motivate. I’m not sure how most people are motivated, but the way Mrs. Coach K did it was by just telling me that I was looking small today, or that if I lost, that I would be sleeping on the porch.  Granted, this was more to make me laugh, but it worked. If you don’t have the proper support in your corner, it can be very, very difficult to be successful at anything in life.
AM: In what ways have you seen your approach to training, nutrition, and recovery change as you’ve gotten older? Are there any specific adjustments you’ve made to stay competitive at the highest level?
SK: Yes, I’ve made a lot of changes over the past year and a half, which I mentioned in a previous question. The biggest thing that  I could say is being cognizant of your body and the changes that it goes through. Also, depending on the people around you to help critique the changes as well as taking pictures and critiquing yourself as you make changes in your diet and programming. As I said earlier, patience is the key, which in this sport we all want the most possible, the quickest way possible, which leads so many down that dark road of performance enhancing drugs. However, for those of us that embrace the concept of achieving the most through hard work and dedication, I feel are staying true to the original idea of the sport. It’s all about being patient and willing to take that time to make the adjustments and not be scared to fail and try again as many times as it takes.

“I FEEL THAT I AM CURRENTLY AT THE BEST THAT I’VE EVER BEEN AND HAVE NO INTENTION OF STOPPING ANYTIME SOON. I WANT TO SEE IF THERE ARE TRULY ANY LIMITS.”

AM: Looking back on your journey from joining the IPL in 2023 to now being a four-time Pro champion, what has been the most rewarding aspect of this experience for you?
SK: This is a difficult one. The fact that when I did my first competition with IPL, I was beginning my mental health journey, and the intention was just to go to see how I would compare to others in this sport. However, to go on and obtain three pro cards and four pro wins has been extremely satisfying and rewarding. Not to mention that aesthetically, I feel that I am currently at the best that I’ve ever been and have no intention of stopping anytime soon. I want to see if there are truly any limits.
AM: As a seasoned athlete, what are some of your long-term goals within the sport?
SK: I’ve only discussed my future plans with a very small group of people, and mostly my wife. Currently my plans are to spend the next 6 to 9 months building more size and definition, as well as working on my weak areas. The past year and a half of almost continuous dieting have taken a toll on my overall muscle mass, which through my own fault of improper dieting in a previous show, has eaten up some of the muscle. So, the plan is to regain all that and more.
AM: And, finally, the question we always have to ask! When will we see you back on the IPL stage?
SK: At this current moment, the plan is to return to stage late in the year 2025. However, as anyone who has been on stage knows, you get that itch and the stage calls to you. I just want to thank everyone involved with this organization and all the competitors for making this past year and a half a special time in my life.  It has been a great experience. ATHLETIC

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