Nathan De Asha, one of the UK’s heaviest hitters in the Open class, will take to the stage in less than one month. In a recent Bodybuilding University Podcast, De Asha discussed his 2023 plans, his next show, current physique, and addressed lackluster pay in the sport.
A mass monster equipped with huge arms and an imposing silhouette, Nathan De Asha quickly became a fan-favorite in the Men’s Open. His stage presence and charismatic attitude were key factors in his success as well.
In 2021, De Asha led an immaculate season, sweeping three shows in a row: the Europa Pro Championships, the Arnold Classic UK, and the Yamamoto Cup Pro. During his appearance at the Arnold, he defeated top names of today such as Samson Dauda, who just won the 2023 Arnold Classic in March.
De Asha set his sights on the 2022 Arnold Classic last year but fate had other plans. He suffered a bicep injury and withdrew his name from the roster. Fans were thrilled that De Asha was expected to return but fell victim to another bicep tear, ruling him out of a possible Olympia return.
With his eyes on a 2023 Mr. Olympia qualification, De Asha has steadied his focus on competing next month. In the meantime, he’s shared promising physique updates, and now he’s laying out his top priorities with an imminent comeback on the table.
Nathan De Asha Lays Out 2023 Plans, Believes He Will Look Better Than a Top-7 Mr. Olympian at Next Contest
According to De Asha, his attention is on the upcoming Tsunami Cup taking place in Italy, then he plans to compete at another contest in Alicante, Spain.
“We’re doing Italy first which is the Tsunami show then we’ll go on to do Spain, I think that’s in Alicante, we’ll see what happens there. I’d like to do France but I don’t think I will. Certain people have to get to Olympia and stuff and lose momentum by doing a show I don’t need to do. France could be in option. Right now, it’s not in the cards just a maybe,” said Nathan De Asha.
“I’m a lot sharper than I was there. In regards to the picture, I’m probably about 10-15% sharper than what you see there,” said De Asha. “I only stop posing five weeks out, five and a half weeks out, because I don’t see the point. I just can’t be bothered. I’m doing cardio in the morning and doing one round in the morning. I’ll try to do two rounds after the workout because I’m a lot more out of breath. I found that a lot more productive to do that because it helps me to control my midsection a lot more when I’m out of breath.”
Aside from his latest prep, De Asha has been focused on opening a second gym.
“At the moment, I’m in the process of doing my second gym. It’s a business venture, so I need to be here bro, setting myself up for later in life. It’s not all bodybuilding for me. Being out there in Kuwait, I could be maybe more focused, but right now, I’m focused anyway.”
Looking ahead, Nathan underlined that he’s never looked this dry and big in the lead-up to a competition. He believes he will look like a top-seven Olympian on stage in less than a month.
“When you get on stage with people who are in shape, it’s different. I believe the Nathan that’s going to come out you know in roughly four weeks’ time will be probably better who placed top seven at the Olympia. I’ve never been this dry and this big. For me, everything is going good bro. I can’t complain.”
De Asha Equates Bodybuilding Pay to McDonald’s Income
Given all of the expenses that come with the sport of bodybuilding like travel, clothing, food, and supplements, De Asha argued that it’s just as lucrative to work an hourly job at the McDonald’s fast food chain.
“By the time you fly yourself, and your kids in the business class, then the accommodation, the gear to go on it, then the food, then the Olympia tax, and the U.K is going to tax you as well. You’re going home with like five Gs, you may as well work at McDonalds for the same amount of time.”
“You get $1500 from Mcdonalds every month, that’s the same fucking money,” added De Asha.
“That’s why you get a bigger lineup at the Arnold and these smaller shows that are doing $25,000 people go where the money is. If you’re an American guy because it’s obviously common sense and if you’re European you’re going to stay in Europe most of the time. Again, like for me, if I don’t fly from Liverpool or Machester to England or Spain, it’s $40.”
De Asha believes bodybuilding shows lack Open competitors because they don’t have enough financial incentives.
“If you look at the 1990s, it’s madness bro. It’s madness. And every year your IFBB membership goes up. It’s mad,” said De Asha. “Three shows and you’ve won two. There’s $60,000 and you got second, there’s $15,000. There’s no point going to the Olympia. Unless I get the top seven, you have to do a 16-week diet, got more money in three weeks, than I would have got anyway. I think a lot of the guys now are more savvy and smart, treat it more like a business.”
“Putting the body through, is it worth it? You see yourself, the lineups are nowhere near as good. Even four or five years back they were even better. Dexter was doing every show. Roelly was doing every show,” said De Asha.
Aside from podcasts about bodybuilding, Nathan De Asha has also remained busy with training collaborations. One of the last times fans saw him pumping iron, he joined strongman legends Tom and Luke Stoltman. They took part in a ‘bodybuilding versus strongman’ workout and tested each other’s leg press strength.
With the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest approaching, fans are excited to see their favorite bodybuilders back on stage. As for Nathan De Asha, he’s confident he’ll be at his all-time best when he competes in Europe next month.
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