“Underdog” Nick Walker Dares Bodybuilding Community: “Keep Counting Me Out”

The world’s best bodybuilders are starting to thump their chests as the 2024 Olympia closes in. None perhaps louder than Nick Walker:

“Keep counting me out, I love it,” Walker said. “Come the stage, everyone will see.”

“The Mutant” abstained from the 2023 Olympia, announcing at the time that he could not attend due to “unforeseen, unfortunate” reasons; he later admitted he’d injured his hamstring.

With the 2024 contest rapidly approaching on Oct. 10-13, Walker seems eager to, in his words, prove himself all over again.

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Nick Walker | 2024 Olympia

Having opted out of the ’23 Mr. “O”, Walker found himself in a somewhat unique position compared to the bodybuilders he feels like an underdog against. Walker needed a win at a bodybuilding contest early in 2024 to grab a ticket to the Olympia — he secured it in May with a narrow win at the New York Pro.

Despite his injury, Walker made improvements to his physique that earned him a two-point victory over runner-up Martin Fitzwater at the Pro.

Falling out of the Olympia conversation for just one year seems to have put a chip on Walker’s shoulder. On Aug. 19, 2024, Walker shared & dared on social media:

“I’m not [talked about] for the top five this year,” Walker said. “And according to some, my New York Pro package was ‘underwhelming.’”

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A post shared by Nick “the Mutant” Walker (@nick_walker39)

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“I get it. I don’t know how many times I’ll have to prove myself,” he finished.

Walker posturing as an underdog candidate for the Olympia podium is wise given the relatively low profile he’s kept since his injury. His victory at the New York Pro — his second after 2021 when he burst onto the bodybuilding scene — clearly indicated that Walker is working to chisel a new niche in the sport and, perhaps, distance himself from the “mass monster” stereotype.

BarBend spoke with Walker earlier this year to take his temperature on his chances at the ’24 Olympia. As of June, he was already prepping his victory speech.

But a top-three finish at the “O” is hardly guaranteed for Walker; the 2024 show is poised to be one of the better events in recent years.

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Walker has to wade through a series of formidable athletes if he wants to bask in the limelight, including Samson Dauda, Andrew Jacked, and closer to the top, Hadi Choopan plus reigning champ Derek Lunsford.

I don’t know how many times I have to prove myself.

Judging by his most recent on-stage physique, Walker is ready to walk the walk. As of August, he’s relocated from Florida to Las Vegas — the site of the Olympia.

“It’s the mecca of bodybuilding,” Walker remarked on YouTube. The Mutant seems ready to enter the thick of it.