It’s been a challenging time for Nick Walker, who was forced to bow out of the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest just days before competing. On the sidelines due to a severe hamstring tear, Walker took to a recent IFBB AMA podcast to reflect on missing out on the biggest event of the year.
“Honestly, a long downtime is something I need right now. I feel like everything happens for a reason,” added Walker.
As a Men’s Open standout, it didn’t take long for “The Mutant” to penetrate the highest ranks as a bodybuilder. In 2021, Walker secured victories at the New York Pro and Arnold Classic, which paved the way for him to place fifth on the Mr. Olympia stage in his debut.
Boasting freak factor, huge arms, and a tight waist, Walker honed his physique during the 2022 season, aiming to bring a next-level package to his sophomore Olympia event. When it was time to storm the big stage in Las Vegas, Nevada, Walker finished third with the Olympia People’s Champ Award in tow.
This year, Walker competed at the 2023 Arnold Classic but took silver in a close contest against Samson Dauda. After the Columbus, Ohio pit stop, Walker prepared for the Olympia show until he tore his hamstring and calf. Flirting with the idea of a special invite, Walker joined Milos Sarcev to discuss his future and next competition.
“I’m Still 3rd Best in the World w/ an Asterisk Next to My Name” – Nick Walker Reflects on 2023 Mr. Olympia
“Listen, I love competing. I don’t think I’ll do the Arnold. But I will think I’ll go for that special invite only because of the circumstance. I just feel this was a freak accident for me.
It’s not like I just didn’t show up or something. Something literally just took me out of it. So I feel like I’m still third best in the world with an asterisk next to my name,” said Walker.
“I think that would be my best route. At the moment, I don’t think I’ll be ready for the Arnold if I’m going to be honest. Not that I won’t be ready, I just don’t think I’ll be 100% to give it my all before the Arnold. And if I don’t feel that way I’m just not going to do it. Like I said even though I’m healing fast it’s been what two weeks now, but if I don’t feel it I’m not going to push for it.”
“This was probably my best prep, the best I think I’ve ever looked in terms of even my shape, I think it was my best at conditioning. I was hard from front to back. I’m not going to knock anyone, but I would have won.”
“After obviously we decided it’s best I don’t do the Olympia, I mean yeah, I felt defeated. I was very depressed for the next couple of days to be honest. I worked my ass off for that specific show you know and then, it’s the super bowl of bodybuilding, it’s the main event and not only did I have to miss it but I feel like I missed the win, you know. That’s how I honest to God, that’s how I felt.
It’s not like I got hurt couldn’t do it, and I’m like, ‘It’s okay, I probably would’ve been second or third or something you know,’ in my heart of hearts, I would have won. So watching the show and feeling that way didn’t really help the situation.”
“But after I got home, I was like you know what, I can still train. I can still do upper body stuff. I can still do cardio, I can start to do cardio now which is good. I’m like, I’ll be fine. I’m going to progress. I’m going to do what I can for now and just take it easy. When I’m able to do some legs I will, which I was able to. So that day was a very big win for me. Right now, that’s just how I feel,” shared Nick Walker.
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