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To the fitness community, a bodybuilder’s hamstring tear might seem like a regular occurrence. However, on the other side, it can have life-altering implications for the affected athlete. Where does Nick Walker stand in the scenario exactly? After the injury, should he have given himself some rest and not opted to work towards the most prestigious bodybuilding title? Signs point to a distinctive no. Despite the injury, Walker is still grinding at the gym.

The 2023 Mr. Olympia saw a series of unfortunate withdrawals from several promising participants. From visa rejections to sudden injuries, several bodybuilders who were thought to be good competition had to be left behind in the race. Yet that never stopped their aspirations. Nick Walker, the 29-year-old bodybuilder who got a severe hamstring tear only days before the show, had shown his fans the seemingly graphic leg injury on the internet. Yet, the fans are getting more content about his recovery and determination for the upcoming challenges.

Comebacks are better than setbacks: Nick Walker

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No one can question the power of failure and the lesson it imparts to someone who has felt defeat. Yet, there is something that imparts a greater lesson than failure: a missed opportunity. A last-moment injury snatched away Walker’s months-long preparation. However, the pain and frustration of missing out on the exhibition of his craft seems to have created a newfound sense of determination within him. Thus his latest posts on social media showed his hunger to strive for the top, next season.

In one of his Instagram posts, Walker explained how badly upset he had been regarding the whole incident because he believed he could stand on Mr. Olympia 2023’s stage. However, accepting the reality of the situation, the bodybuilder tried his best to move on. He wrote, “Like I said I just keep telling myself everything happens for a reason, I need to focus on that, come back even better for next year, which I know I can, setbacks just make for better comebacks. Keep the head held high and keep pushing forward. Baby steps are better than no steps at all.”

Nick Walker’s Road to Recovery

Right after the injury, the most crucial step for any bodybuilder should always be a thorough recovery. Nick Walker’s latest YouTube video series titled “Road to Recovery” shows his drive towards healing and moving forward with a strong start. Some fans showed their extreme concerns regarding Walker’s decision to go back to the gym. But, the bodybuilder explored newer ways to train and heal from the hamstring tear and stated, ?It?s okay to start training a little lightly. If you?re able to, of course, you know because part of a healing process is getting blood in the muscle. So, I?m not trying to overdo it. The leg press is a good exercise to do during this time.?

Walker understands the importance of having a positive mindset and how it might help uplift his situation. For his healing, he firmly believes that he needs to have motivation for a speedy recovery. He also gave his present health situation in one of the videos, he stated, ?At this point, I?m just pretty well bruised and still have some inflammation around the calf and foot area but everything else you know around where the actual injury is fading.” However, he is not pushing himself beyond his limits.

Because the Mutant wants to win the upcoming Olympia title, he is taking it slow, and not aiming for a heavy routine. But can he really become the next Mr. Olympia?

Will Nick Walker win the next Mr. Olympia?

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History has attested that those who are consistent with their practice have a higher chance of winning than those who only dream of the end goals. Nick Walker had made statements before that suggest that it his determination for training that drives him. In one of his Road to Recovery videos, he stated, ?I can?t be out of the gym you know. You can take me out of the show?.. But you can?t take away the gym so you know we are in here.??

READ MORE: Bodybuilding Icon Supports Nick Walker?s Special Invitation for 2024 Mr. Olympia While Fans Think Otherwise: ?Utterly Ludicrous?

However, the title of Mr. Olympia is not completely out of Nick Walker’s sights. In many of his videos, Walker expressed his inclination to work harder till he reached his goal in the upcoming Mr. Olympia in 2024. In fact, in one of his Instagram posts, Walker also noted, ?I?m coming back even better for the title. Setbacks lead to greater comebacks.? Thus, it is highly likely that The Mutant might become one of the top competitors for the next Mr. Olympia season which everyone should look out for.

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Nick Walker’s thorough dedication and his motivation to make a change may foretell the fact that by the next season of Mr. Olympia, Walker might actually achieve an unbeatable physique and lift the title.

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