Nathan didn’ t even know what a bodybuilding show was, he was completely NOT into having to do fake tan or oil and pose in front of people in just a pair of posing trunks.
However, as always, he decided to give it a go, aged 20, his first show being in Pendall Valley where he won the Juniors.
Then a week later he won the NABBA, and then pushed and competed in a further 43 shows in a 2-year span.
Nathan’ s now close friend and owner of Bodypower Gym Darren Smith said,“ You will be one of the top 5 one day“, then subsequently he won the British Juniors, then the Intermediates and then the overall having run the London Marathon only 4 weeks prior“ How many bodybuilders do you know that could do that?”.
The Key“ Keeping it Real” One person in professional bodybuilding that really impressed Nathan was Markus Ruhl, and not because he is a sheer mass monster on the bodybuilding scene, but because he just acts himself and doesn’ t care what others think of him, he likes the fact that Ruhl keeps it very real.
Nathan believes that one of the main reasons that he has managed to achieve so much with so little opportunity is the fact that he keeps it real, keeping his friends from many backgrounds close, no matter whether they are gay, straight, black or white, he knows these friends keep him grounded and not making mistakes, oh and of course he loves the gym.
His orals are high and he speaks very black and white.
There is no pretence to Nathan, if he sees a young skinny guy in the gym doing something wrong, he will go over there and help him, for no other reason than that’ s how he and his community have been raised to live.
De Asha has a huge strength of mind, he had a choice in life, stay as you are, or make a name for yourself.
Nathan chose to take the opportunity that bodybuilding gave him and he feels the best way to be the best, is to keep living his life outside of bodybuilding, as well as competing.
REBECCA ANDREWS
FEBRUARY 2018 | FLEX 29