Nick Walker said

[Bestia]

Anything can happen in November. Its a LONG time until then. Nick COULD come back and place top 3 at the O. We cant predict! Nobody thought Ronnie would lose. Lee Haney didnt win every show, neither did Flex or Kevin. I think its premature to write him off just yet but the more you complete the more people break down your physique. But all this talk does make for an exciting time in our sport

I will carry the premature banner proudly. That said, there is excitement for any of the top shows no whenever these guys will mix it up

[Griff11]

For me it should be the athlete who decide since they are the ones suffering. In light of so many health scares and deaths doing what's best for the athlete makes sense to me.

Dude the ups don't care. Chic will shoot some bullshit but it's about ticket sales. They won't lose out on cash. It is what it is. Take less diruretics and get dry on your own.

[GeorgeUK]

For everybody who is knocking Nick and his comments in this thread -- did any of you actually watch the podcast, with Guy, or are you just going by "what you heard" and soundbites?


I'm not the biggest Nick Walker fan, as a bodybuilder -- I have always knocked his physique, and his chances of ascending to the top of the pack.


That said, when he talks and is interviewed in podcasts, I find his transparency to be refreshing. He speaks from the heart, and very straightforward and no-bullshit, no political correctness, no sugar coating.


I watched the podcast with Guy. Never once did Nick "whine", in my opinion. Never once did he say "He should have beat Samson" -- instead, he openly spoke about judging standards and criteria, about what the judges are looking for, about the look that he brought and why. Never once did he "wine" about shows being over 2 days. He gave his thoughts as to why it was safer and more beneficial to have shows judged in a single day, as this would deliver the best look to the fans.


I'm not trying to "defend the guy" per se. But I feel like there is a lot of 'twisting of what was said", going on in this thread. Which is kind of par-for-the-course in the modern soundbite era.

But he did say something about "Having to knock out the champ" when he wasn't the champ.

You obviously didn't see the abusive anti Samson post he shared ----accidentally

As I said, he's hit or miss.

[lifepulse]

But he did say something about "Having to knock out the champ" when he wasn't the champ.

You obviously didn't see the abusive anti Samson post he shared ----accidentally

As I said, he's hit or miss.

I know he shared some posts, and yeah, I think that's lame and unnecessary.

Overall, I think Nick is going to face a lot of the same bullshit that Heath did, being a "victim" of being overly caught-up in social media. That can cut both ways, build your career and make you a lot of money, but it also exposes you to endless feedback and criticism, and also gives you far more opportunity to say stupid shit in the heat of the moment and be reactive.

His "Having to knock out the champ" statement -- again, context -- is he "technically correct"? No, in the sense that he didn't win the Arnold last year -- but yes, in the sense that he was the former Arnold champ, and the only former champ on that stage who was also in the running. Point being, we can mince words all day, and so can Nick -- but, like, that's mincing words. When he made that statement, he was expressing his thoughts on what gets regurgitated in the sport -- and the sentiment itself is questionable in the first place. Further analyzing Nick's analysis, which is itself an analysis based on comments from the peanut gallery over the years -- well, I guess I'm guilty of doing the same here, lol.


My overall point -- is Nick's attitude "less than ideal" at times? Yeah, I suppose so. Same time, of all of the people I have watched on podcasts, Nick seems to have a more-objective grasp of the sport, and the trending within the sport, than almost any other commentator. Milos is usually spot-on. Cutler is spot-on. Nick is sort of "damned if you do, damned if you don't" -- he has been spoon-fed the idea that he has to "believe in himself, have constant undying belief in his abilities" -- and he has capitalized on that -- but is also now sort of being criticized for it. Same shit happened with Kai -- "not confident enough at the 2012 Olympia", then comes out literally swinging the next year and picking fights at the press conference.


Fans are fickle.


And again, to be clear, I'm not a huge fan of Nick as a bodybuilder, so I'm not trying to be a fan boy. He would do himself a favor if he didn't touch his phone for 48 hours after a competition.

[Beti ona]

Everyone is moving away from the point of the thread.

If Nick or whoever wants to discuss the bad idea of 2 days show, do it away from a show you just lost.

It is a legitimate issue and it is worth discussing when these children put their lives at risk with so many protocols.

Egoistically, I want Olympia to remain as this because I am used to that.

[lifepulse]

Everyone is moving away from the point of the thread.

If Nick or whoever wants to discuss the bad idea of 2 days show, do it away from a show you just lost.

It is a legitimate issue and it is worth discussing when these children put their lives at risk with so many protocols.

Egoistically, I want Olympia to remain as this because I am used to that.

Agreed, the health issue is the actual important issue. Nick's timing on discussing the issue might not be optimal. I think he's bringing it up partly because the timing at the Olympia was so poor, for ALL of the athletes (not just Nick), and they're all starting to dwell on it now.

[bigmikecox]

Being a 2-day event, especially the Olympia, does lead to more excitement.

[Howard]

Seriously bodybuilders need to nut up. In other sports constant cry is seen as weakness. Your hand is broken man up or be gone. High school kids are doing football double practice sessions in the heat limited water with broken digits. Bodybuilders cry about too small of a backstage area. I'm not sure if it's generational or what but it's turning into a pussyfest

Trust me , that's my gut reaction when I hear bitching and moaning about the 2 day format.

But ,we want to see these top pros at their best .
In the modern era with all the peaking " chemistry" ,
a one day contest format may be what's practical.

FYI, it's already unhealthy to compete on this level, why make it riskier with a 2 day contest?

[Howard]

Agreed, the health issue is the actual important issue. Nick's timing on discussing the issue might not be optimal. I think he's bringing it up partly because the timing at the Olympia was so poor, for ALL of the athletes (not just Nick), and they're all starting to dwell on it now.

Bingo

[mayor of bodybuilding]

Dude the ups don't care. Chic will shoot some bullshit but it's about ticket sales. They won't lose out on cash. It is what it is. Take less diruretics and get dry on your own.

I know, it's sad to see mens open treated like shit at the so called Superbowl of bodybuilding.

[Griff11]

I know, it's sad to see mens open treated like shit at the so called Superbowl of bodybuilding.

I felt like they were second fiddle to women's bodybuilding. Given Jake's background it's really not surprising. The way the 212 was handled was just poor

[Beti ona]

Being a 2-day event, especially the Olympia, does lead to more excitement.

This

[Beti ona]

The problem is how to satisfy everyone.

The Olympia had too many athletes and that affects each and every one of them, the question is, do they want a rating system that allows for such packed line ups?

The Arnold was on schedule, hard not to with 6 classes of 10 athletes or less.

[Giles]

I felt like they were second fiddle to women's bodybuilding. Given Jake's background it's really not surprising. The way the 212 was handled was just poor

Only top 5 got to pose! Booooo.

[bigmikecox]

I love women's bbing but you pay for that expensive ticket to see the FREAKS!! Open men and 212!!!