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