“It’s Nonsense”: 47-Y.O. Olympic Gold Medalist Admits Father’s Words Inspired Him to Pursue Bodybuilding ‘With Love’ Over His Engineering Degree

Bodybuilder Silvio Samuel battled the grinds before his career in the sport took off. Born in Nigeria, he had to move across the world due to the nationwide tumult in his country. Thus, later on, he went on to represent Spain, winning several titles. He began his career as an Olympic weightlifter and eventually earned his bodybuilding pro card in 2006. Besides winning an Olympic gold medal in 1988, Samuel also holds a degree in aeronautical engineering.

Yet he intended to pursue his passion for sports and emerged as a notable bodybuilder over time. Explaining his mindset, the athlete appeared in the latest episode of The Menace Podcast, shared on Muscle and Fitness’ YouTube channel.

Silvio Samuel’s journey to the top

The 47-year-old athlete candidly talked about the turn of events that encouraged his illustrious career in sports, even after attaining a degree in a demanding field. Crediting his father for inspiring him to pursue his passion for bodybuilding, Samuel said, “I do find passion in what I do, like my dad used to say, he said it’s nonsense saying you try you don’t succeed, try try again, he said what is the point, try again.”

The athlete’s father also urged him to take things slow and patiently keep putting in the right efforts. The Nigerian pro took his father’s words seriously and did whatever he could to earn recognition in the sports world. “I came into bodybuilding with love, love created by the passion, and then everything I’m doing I want to do it to be the best,” he noted.

Read More: “Putting Yourself in Uncomfortable Situations”: Jay Cutler, Who Struggled to Make Ends Meet in Childhood, Recalls Prominent Moments From His First Mr. Olympia

Furthermore, Samuel claimed that despite having a degree in aeronautical engineering, he could never put it to good use because his heart was set on bodybuilding. The IFBB pro added, “sport has been my own work all along it’s true.” In the initial years, it was not about the money for him. He began performing for free in 2017 to observe how things pan out in the bodybuilding sphere. Fast forward to the present, Samuel is a revered athlete who inspires bodybuilding aspirants to follow their dreams regardless of the drawbacks. 

Watch This Story: Bodybuilding legend Lou Ferrigno’s three secrets to stay in top shape

The pro athlete retired in 2011 after claiming an overwhelming number of titles as a pro weightlifter and bodybuilder. His last show was at the 2009 Mr. Olympia, where he placed 12th, and he retired soon after that.