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This is the million dollar question on everyone\u2019s mind. It seems all eyes are on The Mutant because the shows are running out to qualify for the Olympia. For whatever reason, Nick opted not to compete at the New York Pro. That show has always been very kind to him and many believe he could have won his fourth title there. It\u2019s also one of the Pro League\u2019s Big 3 shows. The Mutant also sat out the Pittsburgh Pro. Perhaps he was still salty over his loss to Derek there? Maybe he didn\u2019t want the pressure of taking the stage in front of the bigwigs of the federation. Who really knows? And it really doesn\u2019t matter, either. He either qualifies in Tampa or maybe he goes to China, where we all know he won\u2019t go. It\u2019s nothing against China, but to compete against Behrouz and James isn\u2019t exactly a big win. Nick wants to earn his spot at the O. For all intents and purposes, it\u2019s Tampa or bust. But Tampa isn\u2019t a guaranteed win, either. Nick is working with a new coach, his legs seem to be down a bit, and who knows about his waist or midsection. There\u2019s a lot that could go wrong there. Then of course there\u2019s the competition. Jo Palacios is no pushover. For Nick to say he was going to embarrass the competition is pretty big talk for a guy who may very well come up short. The odds are he\u2019ll win, but it\u2019s not going to be a cakewalk.<\/p>\n
For starters, let\u2019s cut to the chase. The biggest danger is Nick himself. And to a certain extent his new coach. Can the pair hit their stride for a perfect peak? We know Nick can come dry. It\u2019s not a question of that. He\u2019ll be conditioned but all too often people think those terms are interchangeable. In reality, they mean two different things. You can be dry as rocks, but not peak. That\u2019s when everything comes together. The physique is at its zenith. Matt could do that with Nick. Guy did that with Nick. But can this new coach do it? And how much of the plan is Nick actually following? The fact is, any second-guessing can easily ruin this first collaboration.<\/p>\n
For whatever reason, Nick couldn\u2019t stay with Guy. He looked phenomenal at the 2026 Arnold Classic. Could he have won? Sure! Should he have won? I mean, you guys know I\u2019m not a fan of that look, but I don\u2019t think he should have won. I prefer Andrew\u2019s look and always will. That said, if you\u2019re a fan of Nick\u2019s look, then I can see why you\u2019d think he should have won in Columbus. Nonetheless, by all accounts, he looked spectacular. Now with a new coach, the nerves might kick in. Many times Walker\u2019s worst enemy is himself. Imagine if in the final 48 he starts to emotionally crash? I don\u2019t want that to happen, but The Mutant is a very emotional guy. I am too, but I\u2019m not needing a win in Tampa to compete with the highest elite of pro bodybuilders. If he doesn\u2019t win in Tampa \u2013 dude\u2019s out of the Olympia.<\/p>\n
What if you\u2019re a TOP PRO BODYBUILDER and you\u2019re NOT at the Olympia? Then you\u2019re not a top pro. You\u2019re just not. If you can\u2019t qualify for the Superbowl of Bodybuilding, then you don\u2019t exist. That\u2019s just how it is. Don\u2019t shoot the messenger, I\u2019m just speaking on the brutal reality of the fitness world. And then who\u2019s Nick going to blame? Sure, he can blame the new\/no-name coach, but is he going to blame him for skipping out on FIBO, Portugal, NY, Pittsburgh and the list goes on and on, too? He could, but how silly would that be? Blaming a guy for stuff that happened before you hired him??<\/p>\n
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