Nick Walker, a shining star of the Men’s Open bodybuilding, is gearing up for his third appearance at the eminent Mr. Olympia competition, slated for November 2-5 in Orlando, Florida. In a candid chat on the Mutant and the Mouth Podcast, Walker shared how he navigates criticism and offered a glimpse into his preparation regime for the upcoming event.
Dominating the IFBB Pro League: The Rise of ‘The Mutant’
Affectionately known as “The Mutant,” Walker has been turning heads in the IFBB Pro League with his intimidating physique, distinguished by an unparalleled combination of mass, conditioning, and vascularity. His remarkable victories at the New York Pro and Arnold Classic in 2021 validated his rising star status and earned him an invitation to his inaugural Mr. Olympia competition, where he made his mark with a commendable fifth-place finish.
A Year of Refinement and Redemption
The following year, Walker decided to withdraw from active competition to concentrate on honing his physique. This period of focused self-improvement came with its share of hurdles, including a temporary loss of his trainer, Matt Jansen. Yet, undeterred, Walker delivered an unforgettable performance at the 2022 Olympia, edging his way to third place against champion Hadi Choopan and runner-up Derek Lunsford. With this performance under his belt, Walker promptly set his sights on the 2023 Arnold Classic.
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The Arnold Classic: A Battle of Titans
In March, Walker aspired to add a second Arnold Classic title to his resume. However, his path to victory was blocked by Samson Dauda, who showcased noticeable improvements in his conditioning and leg density. Walker candidly evaluated Dauda’s physique, predicting that despite its shortcomings, Dauda’s recent gains would secure him a spot among the top five at the forthcoming Mr. Olympia.
Nick Walker’s Resilience Amidst Critics: A Measure of True Championship
Despite coming under fire for his remarks about Samson Dauda, Walker stood tall amidst the backlash. Unfazed by the harsh criticism, which at times included gloomy forecasts about his health, Walker views this as an inherent aspect of the sport. His stoic response underscores the resilience athletes need to harness on their journey to the pinnacle of success.
“I think what bothers me is anybody can say what they want about me and my physique and this and that, and there’s no problem, no one bats an eye. But when I do it… it’s the biggest issue in the fucking world. It’s like – if I take it personal – people think I was going to be dead by the time I was 26, 27 years old. Why is okay for people to say shit like that and no one cares? But if I say this person has a shit back, it’s like oh my God, ‘You’re fucking hating.’ No. Not at all,” Walker shared.
“I’m not bitter. Am I upset? Yeah, I’m allowed to be. I lost, it’s fine. I took second, it sucks. I have no ill feelings toward Samson at all. I think Samson is great. I think he’s a phenomenal bodybuilder more so a phenomenal person at that. But we’re critiquing physiques. It’s nothing personal.
I get critiqued 24/7. Everyone knows me, especially Guy, when I lose, it normally doesn’t happen again. People need to understand there’s a fire lit under my ass. I’m not the type of person to feel sorry for myself at all. I took a loss. I’m going to be angry about it for a few hours and then I move on to bigger and better things,” said Walker.
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Despite the fact that he is no stranger to harsh critique, Walker confesses that the thought of stepping away from the bodybuilding scene has crossed his mind at times.
“Yeah [I thought about quitting bodybuilding] after my first Olympia. I just think you know… it’s really hard to explain because I feel like even I still don’t know. I just think I let the quick success so to speak get to my head. I felt like I just had to keep going and had to keep going. You know, that ultimately led to a bunch of other things that happened.”
“I felt like I had to continue to stay on top, stay relevant, keep my name known and all this… which we all know it’s not the truth. But when you are getting that quick success and people are talking about you and rooting for you, you feel like if you stop for a little bit you’ll lose that.”
Heading into the 2023 Mr. Olympia: Nick Walker Emphasizes Rest and Moderation in Training Regimen
Nick Walker reveals that his recent off-season has seen a reduction in food intake and performance-enhancing substances, suggesting a more tempered approach to his training and preparation.
“Food was probably a little less this off-season. The other aspect – gear – it was probably a little less than normal. I didn’t have a long break, so we couldn’t just jump into a high off-season. Within three months, if I was able to substantially put on this much mass… that’s crazy bro.
That says a lot. Granted, I know I’m a genetic freak where not many people could probably do that. But it does go to show that me changing something and trying something new really did benefit. And if it worked for me, maybe someone who is not as genetic could maybe reach a better potential than training a body part once a week and things of this nature.”
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“Quality Over Quantity”: Walker Cites Mindful Training for Enhanced Muscle Development
Walker attributes his recent muscle mass gains to a more deliberate, slower pace of training, emphasizing the importance of focusing on each movement rather than merely lifting heavier weights.
“I feel like now that the training has changed and everything, I just feel fresh. I don’t really get joint pain,” said Walker. “It [my training] was always slow, right but it was never a full range type of thing where I’m just only executing the muscle itself.
Granted yes, a lot of these times I train extremely slow but there’d be times, and you can let me know if you think it’s beneficial, I personally don’t think it is. When you’re starting a set and your first rep you’re already shaking, I don’t think that’s productive in my opinion.”
“That’s not the way. You shouldn’t be shaking until the end of the set.”
The Quest for Sandow: Walker’s Quad Game Might Be The Key
In earlier updates regarding Walker’s Mr. Olympia preparation, it was noted that his quads had seen substantial growth in a relatively short time. Some observers believe that larger, more remarkable quads might just be Walker’s ticket to clinching his first Sandow trophy. Among them is IFBB judge Terrick El Guindy, who suggests that if Walker can present the same level of quad conditioning as that displayed by Branch Warren, he could potentially secure not just one, but multiple titles.
Having never dropped placements at any Mr. Olympia competition so far, Walker sets his sights on securing his first championship later this year. Nevertheless, to achieve this, he would have to present a physique that could overpower competitors like Derek Lunsford and Hadi Choopan.
View the Complete Discussion: Full Video on the Mutant and the Mouth YouTube Channel.
Overview
Nick Walker, an acclaimed figure in Men’s Open bodybuilding, is setting his sights on his third appearance at the prestigious Mr. Olympia competition this November in Orlando, Florida. Walker, known as ‘The Mutant’ for his exceptional physique, has had a strong run in the IFBB Pro League, clinching victories at the New York Pro and Arnold Classic in 2021. Despite some challenges in 2022, he secured third place at Olympia and is now gearing up for the 2023 Arnold Classic. Walker remains resilient amidst criticism for his blunt critique of competitor Samson Dauda, and he is taking a measured approach to his 2023 Mr. Olympia prep, focusing on mindful training and moderated diet and supplement intake. With expectations high for Walker’s improved quad development, he is expected to vie for his first Sandow trophy. Yet, formidable rivals like Derek Lunsford and Hadi Choopan stand in his way.
Featured Image @Nick_walker39 (Instagram) & @The Mutant & The Mouth (Youtube)
