Morphogen Nutrition CEO and founder Ben Hartman calls Nick Walker’s latest physique update jaw-dropping
Nick Walker, nicknamed “The Mutant” as one of the most promising and recognized bodybuilders of his generation, is starting to shock his peers with a brand new peak. The 2021 IFBB Arnold Classic and three-time IFBB New York Pro Championship winner (2021, 2024, 2025) has Morphogen Nutrition CEO and founder Ben Hartman claiming that Walker is prepared, all the while coachless, to come back better than ever in 2026.
“The private photos that I saw of @nick_walker39 this morning are jaw-dropping,” Hartman wrote on Instagram. “By far at his best ever.”
This comes after Walker placed sixth in the Men’s Open division at the 2025 Mr. Olympia, a significant downturn from earlier top finishes despite being viewed as a potential title contender. Following the disappointment, Walker parted ways with coach Kyle Wilkes, clearly dissatisfied with how his preparation played out for major shows.
“I sincerely wish Nick nothing but success moving forward,” Wilkes said. “As for me, I will continue focusing on my own path, one that’s already been incredibly fulfilling long before this partnership ever began. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and I am perfectly at peace with that.”
Walker’s decision to coach himself moving forward marked quite an interesting shift, one relatively rare at the elite level, sparking plenty of speculation about how his contest readiness would take shape this cycle.
“The cat is out of the bag a little bit, so whatever. But diet-wise, I’m obviously doing my own thing right now, which I’m actually enjoying and having fun,” Walker shared late last year, addressing the split. “It’s a lot of… it’s a nice weight lifted off the shoulders.”
If what Hartman said about these private photos is true, and Walker is somehow able to surpass his physique from the 2021 Arnold Classic win, or his Pittsburgh Pro and New York Pro Championship physiques from 2025, it could easily be enough to help him secure another title victory in 2026.
Nick Walker Amateur & Professional Placings
Amateurism
- 2013 NPC East Coast Championships – 1st place (Teen Category)
- 2013 NPC Eastern USA Championships – 1st Place (Teen Division)
- 2014 NPC Teen Nationals – 2nd Place (Heavyweight)
- 2016 NPC South Jersey Championships – 1st Place (Heavyweight)
- 2016 NPC USA Championships – 6th Place (light heavyweight)
- 2017 IFBB North American Championships – 6th Place (heavyweight)
- 2017 NPC Nationals – 6th Place (Heavyweight)
- 2019 NPC South Jersey Championships – 1st Place (Super Heavyweight)
- 2019 NPC USA Championships – 2nd Place (Super Heavyweight)
- 2020 NPC North American Championships – 1st Place (Super Heavyweight)
Professionalism
- 2020 IFBB Chicago Pro – 4th Place
- 2021 IFBB New York Pro Championship – 1st Place
- 2021 IFBB Arnold Classic – 1st Place
- 2021 IFBB Mister Olympia – 5th Place
- 2022 IFBB Mister Olympia – 3rd Place
- 2023 IFBB Arnold Classic – 2nd Place
- 2024 IFBB New York Pro Championship – 1st Place
- 2025 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro – 2nd Place
- 2025 IFBB New York Pro Championship – 1st Place
- 2025 IFBB Mister Olympia – 6th Place
Less than 10 days out from the 2026 Arnold Sports Festival, Walker, born on August 3, 1994, has 358k subscribers on YouTube and 1.8 million followers on Instagram.
Who is Ben Hartman?
Ben Hartman is the founder and CEO of Morphogen Nutrition, a company that specializes in developing scientifically validated and effectively dosed sports nutrition supplements. Before moving into entrepreneurship, Hartman competed as a natural bodybuilder, powerlifter and strongman athlete, giving him firsthand insight into the challenges of training and contest preparation.
With a background in exercise physiology and a master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics, Hartman maintains an active presence on social media and in industry podcasts, where he discusses nutrition, supplementation and training strategies.
*Featured image via Instagram @nick_walker39
