Nick Walker isn’t letting outside pressure affect his outlook for the 2026 Mr. Olympia. In a September 11 video, the Men’s Open star opened up about the mental challenges he’s pushed through during prep. He also discussed how he wants to be remembered when his bodybuilding career ends.
Walker’s Men’s Open trajectory has been fast, but not without struggle. He heads into this year’s Mr. Olympia contest aiming to make a statement. In 2025, he missed the mark on the prestigious stage and fell to sixth place.
He rebounded nicely at the 2026 Arnold Classic, pushing Andrew Jacked (Chinedu Andrew Obiekea) en route to second place. Having qualified for the Olympia thanks to his Tampa Pro win, Walker has a legitimate shot at earning the Sandow trophy.
Nick Walker on Dealing With Mental Challenges Before 2026 Mr. Olympia
In the video, Walker spoke on the importance of staying mentally strong in the final stages of Olympia prep.
“The mind always controls the body. If your mind tells you to keep going even though the body is telling you to stop, you fight for more. Especially in training, when you’re in the last few reps, and your body is shaking and you feel like you can’t no more, you just got to tell yourself you got another.”
Always resetting the goalpost, Walker admits he struggles to enjoy his biggest accomplishments:
“I think another problem that I have. I think it’s on me. I don’t ever let the good settle. I do something great, and then I’m like, on to the next.”
“I also believe you need that time because one thing I will never do is allow myself to ever go back to that place. Once I do, if I start to feel it, I don’t give a shit where I’m at, how deep of a prep I’m in, whatever, I’m done. I’m taking a break,” Nick Walker said.
As for his legacy, he wants to be remembered as the bodybuilder who never gave up and always came back to shock the world.
“I just want people to obviously, yeah, the wins are for me, the wins are for me to remember; that’s when I’ll be satisfied with my career.”
“For everyone else, I want them to go, that’s that guy. He never quit. When he was down and out so many times, he always came back and shocked the world. If that’s where my legacy goes with everybody, I’ll die a happy person.”
Despite mental obstacles, Walker’s self-belief is at an all-time high. He recently stressed that he can win the 2026 Mr. Olympia even if every competitor brings their absolute best. Some bodybuilding veterans like his chances, as well. Jay Cutler has gone on record saying “The Mutant” can win the event.
Walker aims to fight for Olympia gold when he makes his way back onstage. The 2026 Mr. Olympia is set for September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The livestream is free, and Fitness Volt will have coverage spanning the entire weekend.
