Nick Walker is on track to make his return to the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro in May, prompting discussions about his future on the sport’s greatest stage. In a YouTube video shared on January 6, 2025, IFBB Pro Jared Feather detailed his experience training Walker and, alongside Dr. Mike Israetel, revealed their top three Men’s Open picks for the 2025 Mr. Olympia.
Nick Walker has a lot to prove this season after bowing out of his last two Mr. Olympias. Having placed as high as third at the ‘Super Bowl of Bodybuilding’ (2022), he’s long been considered a frontrunner to one day win the coveted Sandow trophy.
His last victory marked an important milestone as he proved that he could successfully bounce back from a catastrophic hamstring injury. At the same time, he out-pointed Martin Fitzwater to win a second New York Pro title. In light of his extended absence from the Olympia, fans and bodybuilders alike are clamoring to see him back in action when the stakes are at their highest.
Jared Feather Talks Doubting Nick Walker & Training Him, Shares Top 3 Open Picks for 2025 Mr. Olympia W/ Mike Israetel
During the YouTube video, Jared Feather discussed training Walker and offered his top three Open picks alongside Dr. Mike Israetel.
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Jared Feather’s Top 3 Open Picks for 2025 Mr. Olympia
- Winner — Nick Walker
- Second Place — Samson Dauda
- Third Place — Derek Lunsford
Dr. Mike Israetel’s Top 3 Open Picks for 2025 Mr. Olympia
- Winner — Samson Dauda
- Second Place — Martin Fitzwater
- Third Place — Derek Lunsford
Although he had his doubts about Nick Walker’s bodybuilding career early on, Jared Feather has had a change of heart, especially after training him. He believes as Walker puts on more muscle, his flow and structure only improve further, which have been two of ‘The Mutant’s’ main criticisms.
“Just to put myself on blast, I doubted him, even Pro card, Arnold Classic, I can name a couple other shows, I was like ‘Yeah, there’s no way Nick is winning those.’ I was a fan of the shape and everything like everybody else and the more I see Nick’s physique and the more he puts on muscle, it becomes a nice flow and a nice structure.”
“I was one of the people who doubted him and now, I get to help him out, it’s really cool,” shares Feather.
Jared Feather is far from the first person to count out Nick Walker. Judge Terrick El Guindy believes many bodybuilding enthusiasts have turned their back on Walker who hasn’t shown up for Olympia the last two years. However, El Guindy underlined that soon, they will all eat their words. He virtually guaranteed the public that Walker would earn his 2025 Olympia qualification.
With a new trainer and coach, time will tell how Walker performs at the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro. Tipping the scales at over 300 pounds as he starts prep, Walker could certainly turn some heads when he makes his way back to a bodybuilding stage.
Watch the full video from the OlympiaTV YouTube channel below:
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