The dust has settled following the 2026 Arnold Classic. In the latest Prime Time Muscle episode aired on March 12, judge Terrick El Guindy explained why Nick Walker and Sam Sulek should hire coaches.
Columbus, Ohio, delivered one of the most unexpected bodybuilding contests of the season. In the Men’s Open division, a counted-out Nick Walker proved his career was far from over. He bounced back from sixth place at the Mr. Olympia with a second-place finish at the Arnold Classic, behind champion Chinedu Andrew ‘Jacked’ Obiekea.
Right after his lackluster Olympia performance, Walker fired his ex-coach Kyle Wilkes. While some thought that decision could backfire, he ended up presenting arguably his best physique ever. Meanwhile, in Classic Physique, Sam Sulek navigated his Pro debut solo en route to eighth place. Looking at both competitors closely, El Guindy laid out why a coach would benefit them.
Terrick El Guindy Says Nick Walker and Sam Sulek Would Benefit From Coaches After 2026 Arnold Classic
In the video, El Guindy shared that Walker and Sulek could benefit from experienced coaches like Neil Hill or Hany Rambod.
“Sam Sulek’s first Pro show, I would have loved to see him with somebody like Neil [Hill], Hany [Rambod], and I think Nick Walker, who has had some inconsistencies, could benefit from some of these experienced coaches.”
“I think it takes a very, very special person, experience, and being intellectual enough to have the curiosity to learn the biochemistry to say, you know what? I’m going to do it myself. I’m going to trust my final instincts despite the fact that I’m depleted. I would not recommend that for Sam Sulek and Nick Walker. I think they would still benefit from having a coach,” Terrick El Guindy shared.
Walker has been candid about his latest showing. He called second place a win in itself, and he was proud to present what he believes to be his best look to date. Thus far, he hasn’t revealed when he’ll compete next, but if he wants to hit the biggest show of the year, he’ll have to secure a Pro show victory by August 30.
While rebounding, Walker has already implemented a Dorian Yates-style four-day training split to improve his physique. He also revealed that his conditioning, posing, and midsection control helped him find success in Ohio.
Walker and Sulek aren’t the first high-profile bodybuilders to not have a coach. During the 2024 bodybuilding season, Samson Dauda decided to run his prep solo, only taking advice from his wife. The decision paid off that year as he captured the Mr. Olympia title.
Though some athletes are lone wolves, El Guindy believes additional guidance could benefit Walker and Sulek. Time will tell if either athlete decides to add a coach to their corner on the horizon.
Watch the full video from the OlympiaTV YouTube channel below:
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