This year’s 2023 Mr. Olympia contest is rapidly approaching, prompting retired Pro Flex Lewis to host a special sit-down between two of the sport’s biggest stars. In the latest Straight Outta the Lair Podcast, Nick Walker and Derek Lunsford discussed their confidence levels, preps, and protein intake less than three months from facing each other in Orlando, Florida.
“Everybody is young. Everybody is hungry. And as exciting as last year’s Olympia was… this one is the 2.0 version. Every single person has improved. Myself, Nick, Samson, I’m sure Hadi, we haven’t seen him but we know he’s training hard. Everybody is going to be improved this year,” Lunsford shared.
“The Mutant” sent shockwaves through the Open from the moment he arrived on the scene. In 2021, his freak factor and hard muscularity guided him to consecutive victories at the New York Pro and Arnold Classic. At his second Olympia appearance last December, Walker improved from fifth to third. In addition, he nabbed the Olympia People’s Champ Award.
Derek Lunsford‘s road to the Open was much different than Walker’s. Last year, Lunsford was the reigning 212 Olympia champion. Months after guest posing at the 2022 Pittsburgh Pro, Olympia offered Lunsford a special invite to compete in the Open, a class with no size restrictions. Lunsford’s Open debut at 2022 Olympia was one of the biggest shocks of the night. He finished one spot above Walker in second, with his teammate, Hadi Choopan securing gold.
Walker and Lunsford have been open about their progress leading into 2023 Mr. Olympia. With more time to grow in the off-season, Lunsford intends to step on stage with added muscle. Walker, on the other hand, has targeted quad improvements since his last competition, where he took second to Samson Dauda at the 2023 Arnold Classic.
Nick Walker, Derek Lunsford Reveal Confidence Levels & Talk 2023 Mr. Olympia Preps
Despite his confidence, Walker says he maintains a humble attitude as a bodybuilder.
“As confident as I come off… and all that, I’m still very humble. When I see those types of things, it does get me a little emotional. Because it’s like I just started to be the best bodybuilder I could be. I didn’t ever think I was going to inspire so many people here. When you realize that it does become life-changing for you and what you’re capable of doing for others.”
As for his prep, Walker shared that his trainer Matt Jansen is happy with his progression thus far.
“Right now, Matt is very happy with the progression I’ve made in the shot off-season that I’ve had. He likes the way I look now. We’ll be 16 weeks out this Friday. As long as he’s happy and he’s got nothing bad to say, it lets me know I’m doing good. Food-wise, I’m still eating obviously but he cuts down little by little. Cardio is 25-30 minutes every day except leg day.”
Given the number of contenders headed for Olympia, Walker underlined that “no one’s spot is promised” this year.
“When I first saw the feedback, I’m like, I’m going to whoop everyone’s ass. These motherfuckers right here [at the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro], I’m like, yeah buddy,” Walker shared. “I mean I did think that. But honestly, seeing everybody, I said okay, everyone is in shape. Everyone is progressing. Everyone is making improvements. Samson made some improvements. Derek made some improvements. Hunter has definitely made some improvements.”“This is going to be a very very good Olympia this year. This isn’t going to be easy for anyone. In my opinion, I don’t think anybody’s spot is promised going into this Olympia. It’s going to be a battle. I think the top five is going to be epic. I think we will all be in shape, hard, dry, peeled, all of the above. It’s going to be a show for everyone to see. One [is where I see myself placing].”
Lunsford believes the 2023 Mr. Olympia’s outcome is outside of his control.
“We work so hard all year, we can do everything right and give our absolute best, and at the end of the day, the outcome is not in our control. So, I think the fact that we understand that, we’re putting our best foot forward,” says Lunsford.
According to Walker, if Lunsford slips even a little bit on the Mr. Olympia stage, he’ll defeat him.
“Derek and Samson. And I say Samson obviously because he beat me at the Arnold. Derek, I think just because we match together very well. I just think obviously he’s got the better shape than I do, but I’m improving my shape every show. And I do feel I out-do him muscle-wise and my conditioning has always been top-notch, so if he slips at all… I will beat him.”
Walker and Lunsford Talk About Protein Intake and Gut Health
Unlike seasons prior, Walker said he lowered his protein intake. He credits the change for helping his digestion.
“I also made sure I ate food that digested the best. Also, I take a lot of digestive enzymes, I take a lot of things that lets everything process through,” said Walker. “I did lower my protein intake a little bit. And I think for me, too much protein was giving me more of that bloaty feel. I didn’t lower it drastically. Maybe an ounce or so, that ounce on every meal added up over time. It makes a difference.”
Walker mentioned most of his protein comes from ground turkey, chicken, or steak. Lunsford said he favored fish.
“Every prep, I would like, I’m going to eat fish. I would think of it as a hardcore thing. I’m going to fucking eat some fish and get peeled. Every time I would do it, I would just throw up. I couldn’t do it. The majority of my preps, it’s literally 99% ground turkey fat-free, chicken or steak,” said Walker.“I didn’t realize till last year, I was eating so much cod. I don’t mind fish, I like fish, especially salmon. Dude I ate so much cod last year that I smelled like – you know what I actually smelled like, it smelled like cat urine. I thought it was, it was kind of embarrassing to say,” replied Derek Lunsford.
This isn’t the first time Walker has envisioned a showdown against Lunsford for Mr. Olympia gold. In a previous Mutant and the Mouth Podcast, Walker shared that his ‘gut feeling’ was that he and Lunsford would fight for first place later this year.
Derek Lunsford doesn’t see that panning out. Lunsford recently took part in an interview and predicted that this year’s Mr. Olympia would see himself and Hadi Choopan vying for the title. He argued that it was more likely Samson Dauda and Nick Walker battle for third/fourth honors.
Considering how unpredictable last year’s Olympia was, fans expect much of the same this November. Time will tell if Derek Lunsford or Nick Walker can become the 18th man to win the prestigious title.
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