Bodybuilder Nick Walker is gaining momentum ahead of his big return in 2025. In a recent episode of The Mutant and the Mouth Podcast on February 10, 2025, he discussed his prep for the Pittsburgh Pro and Samson Dauda wanting to prove people wrong who doubted his wife as his coach.
Nick Walker is almost ready to return to the bodybuilding stage. He’s been dealt a rough hand the last few years. In 2023, he had to bow out of the Mr. Olympia contest after suffering a hamstring and calf tear. Despite the unfortunate setback, he got back in the winning column at the 2024 New York Pro, where he narrowly outpointed Martin Fitzwater on the official scorecards.
However, when it was time to perform at the Mr. Olympia in 2024, his prep fell apart. He explained that his body wasn’t responding to the challenges of training and dieting, which led to his withdrawal from the ‘Super Bowl of Bodybuilding’ for a second year in a row. That’s water under the bridge now, though, as he readies his physique for war at the upcoming 2025 Pittsburgh Pro, set for May 10-11.
Nick Walker Talks Pittsburgh Prep Changes W/ New Coach & Samson Dauda’s 2025 Arnold Classic Attitude: “I Love It”
In a recent YouTube video, Walker confirmed his weight at a staggering 299 pounds. He said he’s feeling good and full of energy at this stage of preparations.
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“I finally am under the 300-pound mark. I’m now 299,” shared Walker. “I probably dropped some water weight. I look tighter. I look a little leaner.
I don’t think it’s a dramatic difference, no. But I like that I’m holding my weight and my body is getting tighter and leaner though. I feel good honestly. This is probably — I don’t feel fatigued ever. I don’t feel low energy.”
Back when he prepped for the 2023 Olympia, he revealed his energy levels dipped and he mainly wanted to rest when he wasn’t training. However, as of late, he’s been much more lively.
“I remember even when I prepped for the 2023 Olympia, as good as that prep was bro, I was always tired. I’d come home and just want to sit on the couch.
Now I train, I come home I eat, and I’m like, what are we doing? Let’s go do something. I feel good. I know eventually that feeling is going to fade though as the diet gets stricter and all that bullshit. I’ll be 13 weeks out Saturday”
While Walker does have some boundaries when it comes to prepping his physique, he revealed that he’s listening to any advice offered by his new coach Kyle Wilkes.
“At this point, obviously, if there’s something that comes up and I’m like no I’m not doing that and I’ll tell him but there hasn’t been anything like that. I’m up for trying different things. There’s a million ways to skin a cat. I’m open to a different way or approach and see how it works.”
He believes Samson Dauda is on a mission to win the Arnold Classic and to continue proving naysayers wrong who believe he made a mistake by having his wife coach him.
“As much as I would love to see Derek win, I truly think Samson is going to win. I think Samson is on a mission. I think Samson tired of people obviously talking shit about his wife. I think he just wants to keep getting better and winning. I love it. That’s the type of attitude I love.”
It will be interesting to see the rematch between Derek Lunsford and Samson Dauda at the Arnold Classic which is set for February 27 to March 1 in Columbus, Ohio. Both men appear to be reaching their full potential, setting the table for an epic showdown. As for Walker, he continues to march toward his next show at the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro.
Watch the full video from The Mutant and the Mouth YouTube channel below:
Catch comprehensive coverage of the 2025 Arnold Classic, including pre-judging, event recaps, analyses, and complete Arnold Classic results at our Arnold Classic coverage hub: FitnessVolt.com/arnold-classic