Nick Walker, celebrated Men’s Open Pro competitor, appears to be singularly focused on the grandeur of the 2023 Mr. Olympia championship slated for this November. In a riveting episode of the “Mutant and the Mouth Podcast,” Walker shared intimate facets of his preparation, touching on nuanced topics such as current body metrics, the delicate balance of steroids, and musings on a future away from the spotlight.
An Arrival That Reverberated Through the IFBB Pro League
With a physique that seems to be carved from stone, showcasing layers upon layers of deeply conditioned muscles, Walker’s entry into the IFBB Pro League was nothing short of seismic. Clinching first place at the 2021 New York Pro, only his second appearance at such a caliber of competition, he sent a clear message to the bodybuilding community: his unique physical composition was not just a sight to behold, but also a force to be reckoned with. His audacity was further on display at the 2021 Arnold Classic, where he effortlessly captured the gold, marking a triumphant debut in Columbus, Ohio.
A Debut at Olympia and the Pursuit of Perfection
Walker’s inaugural attempt at Mr. Olympia saw him securing a notable fifth position. Rather than resting on his laurels, “The Mutant” took this as an impetus to reinvent. He meticulously recalibrated his training, nutrition, and supplement strategies, setting the stage for a meteoric rise. The off-season bore witness to Walker’s indefatigable spirit, where he embarked on refining the elegance of his waist while simultaneously bolstering the bulk of his legs.
A Transformation That Captivated Las Vegas
By the 2022 Mr. Olympia, Las Vegas was abuzz with talk of Walker’s transformation. The event bore witness to Hadi Choopan’s coronation as Mr. Olympia. Yet, amidst the glitz and glamour, Walker’s third-place triumph resonated deeply, accentuated by the accolade of the Olympia People’s Champ Award. With a fire in his eyes and an unwavering resolve, Walker spoke candidly about the roadmap ahead, stoking anticipation for what the future holds.
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Walker’s Lean 281: Gearing Up for 2023 Mr. Olympia
With just eight weeks to the 2023 Mr. Olympia showdown, Nick Walker shared that he’s at an impressive 281 pounds, marking a new milestone in his contest preparations.
“We’ve gone to Barry’s every week so far since my birthday. Yeah. Yes [it feels like we’re prepping]. Yes, Matt is pushing hard diet-wise throughout the week and then it’s like let’s have some food here. I’m 281. I was like 284 [last time]. This is a new low for me. Matt actually gave me some food today. I like the way he’s been doing it.
Instead of doing like a full full high day, what he’ll do is take the high day diet and go high day meals one through three and then base diet four, five, and six, that way it rejuvenates. Tomorrow will be an off day and Friday we’ll check again and see where we’re at,” said Nick Walker.
Defying Expectations: Walker’s Response to Critics
Despite fans suggesting that he has reached the pinnacle of his physique, Nick Walker is determined to defy the skeptics once more. He emphasized that in 2023, he has made gains in every necessary dimension, further enhancing his imposing form.
“People have been telling me my physique is maxed out since 2019 when I took second, they’re like, he can’t improve, he can’t go anywhere, like okay. Yeah, hold my beer,” said Walker. “I’m bigger in every area that I needed to be bigger in and my waist is tighter.”
“I think it looks better.”
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Walker’s Targeted Growth: A Closer Look at Enhancements
In particular, Nick Walker points out the noticeable growth in his arms, a feat achieved even without frequent training sessions dedicated to them. Furthermore, he highlights the ‘dramatic’ enhancements in his upper chest and quad sweeps, showcasing his meticulous attention to detail in sculpting his physique.
“Arms — this is the least I’ve trained my arms and they’re bigger. My chest is, especially my upper chest is bigger and fuller. Quad sweeps have come up dramatically. And this is just like, I just wanted to prove a point. I found something that I think is really working.”
Walker Anticipates a Showdown with Dauda at Mr. Olympia
Taking into account Samson Dauda’s rising trajectory, Nick Walker is gearing up for another head-to-head with him on the coveted Mr. Olympia platform. Walker further predicts that this year’s top five contenders will present an exceptionally fierce competition, making it a must-watch event for enthusiasts.
“Listen, I think Samson is going to be in the mix. I think he has improved drastically which I’m happy about. So, I think he’s going to be right next to us the entire time and I think this Olympia, I feel everybody is going to be on their A-game, everybody is going to be peeled, everybody is going to be conditioned like we’re supposed to be, and that top five is going to be competitive like a motherfucker. That’s why I’m excited, now… this year, I feel more confident.”
Walker’s Top-Five Prognosis for Mr. Olympia
Nick Walker, unwavering in his foresight, has laid out his predictions for the top-five contenders at the Mr. Olympia showdown. Here’s a breakdown of his forecast:
- First Place — Nick Walker
- Second Place — Derek Lunsford
- Third Place — Hadi Choopan
- Fourth Place — Samson Dauda
- Fifth Place — Brandon Curry
“I’m sticking to my top five that I said on the last podcast [Nick, Derek, Hadi, Samson, Brandon]. I can’t rule Brandon out. I’d literally love to throw Andrew in there to be honest but I can’t throw Brandon out and I do think Samson overpowers Andrew, I think Andrew has the prettier physique hands down. But as far as the filled out frame, still be aesthetic-looking, it’s Samson.”
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Walker’s Insight into Olympia’s Contenders
Nick Walker holds firm in his assessment, suggesting that Andrew Jacked certainly merits a position within the top five contenders. However, Walker is quick to acknowledge the prowess of past champions, emphasizing that discounting former Mr. Olympia, Brandon Curry, would be a mistake.
“Andrew still needs to fill in his back, hamstrings, and glutes more. I still believe his quads need to come up a little more. From here up, from the front, he’s insane,” added Walker.
Before moving on, Walker looked back on why he always felt the need to be the best at whichever sport he pursued.“When I started competing, I’m like I’m going to win fucking everything. That was always the mindset I had. I think that stems from when I played sports too. Because I had to be the best at every sport that I did, I had to be. I don’t care if my team was shitty but I had to be the best one on the team,” shared Nick Walker.
Walker’s Prelude to Battle: Rituals, Regimens, and Future Reflections
As the crescendo of a bodybuilding contest approaches, Nick Walker divulged his protocols, revealing a preference for modest doses of performance-enhancing drugs during the final preparation stages.
“The leaner I get, I’ll start to split my shots into two, where like one CCs here, and one CCs there. I just kind of go instead of filling the bitch up, I rather just split it up into very small doses and I feel like that’s always benefited me.”
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Walker’s Pre-Stage Ritual: A Toast to Calmness
Just moments before stepping into the limelight at premier events like the Arnold Classic and Mr. Olympia, Nick Walker and his coach, Matt Jansen, have a unique ritual. They share a mini bottle of vodka, a gesture that serves not only as a camaraderie between athlete and coach but also as a means to soothe the inevitable pre-competition jitters.
“Matt would before the Arnold and Olympia we would down one of those small little bottles of vodkas. Yeah [to calm me down] and it works.”
Walker’s Vision of Retirement: The Journey Beyond 40
On broaching the topic of his eventual exit from competitive bodybuilding, Nick Walker was candid. He articulated a vision of competing well into his 40s, suggesting that his passion for the sport and his physical prowess won’t wane anytime soon.
“I personally just feel when I’m done, I’m done. But if I had to put a number… I’d like to make it past 40. I’d like to make it past 40. But it’s all just going to be depend on where my life in time, where what I feel of course and just how my body is. Right now, it’s obviously full focus. I want to go as long as I can. I want to win as many Olympias and Arnolds as I can but you know, life happens sometimes, and I get that, it’s scary.”
Lastly, Walker explained that if he wasn’t a bodybuilder, he would attempt to pursue other business ventures with his time instead.“Honestly, it would probably be going to all-in on any business I would want to invest in at that point,” said Walker. “Not yet [I haven’t invested]. I have some in mind, obviously, I want to help Maria with the sauce business and kind of help her go all in with that.”
“Houses and other businesses that I’ve had interest in. Yeah [gyms]. I think a gym for me, it’s a hit or miss.”
This isn’t the first time that Nick Walker has pondered what he’d do with his life outside of bodybuilding. In a recent Straight Outta the Lair Podcast with former seven-time 212 Olympia Flex Lewis, Walker said he would consider quitting bodybuilding and acting in Hollywood if he received a ‘legitimate offer on something.’
Walker’s Singular Focus: Conquering Mr. Olympia
Even with future endeavors on the horizon, Nick Walker’s gaze remains unerringly fixed on one coveted prize: the Mr. Olympia title. His consistent ascendancy and never dipping in his placements at this esteemed event speak volumes of his dedication. As the clock ticks down to his return in a mere two months, the anticipation among fans reaches a fever pitch.
For a more in-depth dive into his perspectives, catch the entire conversation on the Mutant and the Mouth Podcast Channel on YouTube:
Overview
In a recent episode of “Mutant and the Mouth Podcast,” Men’s Open Pro contender, Nick Walker, shared insights about his preparations for the upcoming Mr. Olympia championship in November. From discussing his evolving body metrics and strategic steroid use to reflections on his future beyond the sport, Walker’s dedication to bodybuilding and his pursuit of the title is palpable.
Featured Image @dereklunsford_ , @nick_walker39 (Instagram)
