Recovering from injuries, bodybuilder Nick Walker remains connected to the sport. In a recent Mutant and the Mouth Podcast appearance, Nick Walker discussed kratom use and expressed reservations about influencer Sam Sulek’s messaging.
“Listen, if it works for him that’s great. I just hope when he’s a little older, he gets some more understanding of how this shit really works,” shared Walker
Nick Walker, known for his muscle volume and conditioning, secured third place at the 2022 Olympia, behind Lunsford and Choopan. Seeking a second Arnold Classic title in 2023, Walker faced a setback against Samson Dauda’s superior shape.
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Days before the Mr. Olympia event, Walker suffered a hamstring and calf tear, preventing his participation. Currently sidelined, he observes the rising hype around Sam Sulek, emphasizing the need for nuanced understanding in bodybuilding’s evolving landscape.
Nick Walker Expresses Concerns About Sam Sulek’s Diet and Messaging
Walker raises apprehensions about Sulek’s dietary practices and messaging. He believes younger audiences online propagate potentially dangerous ideas, expressing fear that these notions may firmly take root in the minds of impressionable youth.
“They [younger audiences] think they know better. No bro. I blame all that shit on fucking social media because you have little kids that are 18, 19, preaching how you gotta diet this way, drugs this way, this and that way, and that’s what gets instilled in the young kids’ heads.”
“The kids that are preaching that they do this, this, and this, is the most horrific dangerous way possible while you did it being successful, the somewhat same type of way per se, just a lot safer and better,” explains Walker.
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Walker emphasizes that Sulek’s perspectives on diet and training are perilous. Sulek holds the belief that food quality is inconsequential as long as calorie intake remains comparable.
“Okay, at 22, listen, whatever. But the only issue I have is he [Sam Sulek] truly believes. He compares… oh this is the same as eating chicken and rice, calories in, calories out, no! I would be more accepting of it if he was like this is what I do you can try it but it’s not the right way or the healthiest way.”
Considering Sulek’s strongly held convictions in his videos, Walker worries that others might emulate him, be it in nutrition, drug use, or training.
“I feel like he’s putting it out there and then truly believes what he’s saying, and for me, that’s where the problem lies. I don’t care what anyone puts out. I don’t care if he says I eat this, this, and this, I do this drug, this drug, and this drug, whatever. That’s what I do and I don’t advise anyone to do that and this is what I do. I’d be like okay, that’s cool.”
“What he eats in a day would be like my cheat,” laughs Walker. “That’d be my cheat day.”
“After training, it was like a protein shake and six Krispie Kreme donuts and shit and I’m like, but that’s what he does on the reg! By all means bro.”
While Walker has no problem with Sulek, he doesn’t appreciate “what he is putting out.”
“No. Listen, I don’t know the kid. I can’t say I don’t like him. He seems fucking cool. But just what he is putting out, I’m just not okay with it.”
“Kids will argue it all day because of what’s being said on social media. It’s fucking horrific.”
“I hope for his sake it is good [his blood panels],” added Nick Walker.
Walker Talks About Including Kratom in His Morning Cardio Routine
Walker acknowledges kratom as a valuable addition to optimize the benefits of his morning cardio sessions.
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“Speaking of feeling like shit, I will just be honest. I did do the 120 shot [of kratom]. The whole thing. No, no, no. I never threw up. I don’t wanna say felt like shit… I just felt overly high. But like, you know the high you get when you’re just too high? I didn’t throw up by any means but I had that — cardio was really amazing though.”
“For me, taking a 60 for me in the morning, I get that nice mellow, focused feeling and I’m fine. That’s where my level is.”
“I do it in the mornings because that’s when I feel like I need it the most. It did [help with sleep], and I also did it without it and I didn’t see a dramatic change. I sleep fine so I just wanted to see if it would make it better. I sleep pretty good so there was no dramatic difference but morning is definitely my go-to for it, 100%.”
This wasn’t the first occasion where Nick Walker shared his experiences with kratom. In February, the Men’s Open star detailed how kratom proved beneficial during cardio sessions in preparation for the 2023 Arnold Classic. During that time, Walker also commended kratom for improving the quality of his sleep.
In light of his recovery, Nick Walker has announced a temporary hiatus from the spotlight. He confirmed his non-participation in the 2024 Arnold Classic and expressed a desire for a special invitation to the upcoming Mr. Olympia.
For more details, you can watch the full video on the Mutant and the Mouth YouTube channel below:
Overview
Featured Image @Nick_Walker39, @Sam_Sulek (Instagram)
