"I Can Win The Olympia" | Niall Darwen | Long Haul Mentality

Описание: Welcome back to Long Haul Mentality — I’m your host Nick Bagley, and today I’m sitting down with one of the rising names in Classic Physique: Niall Darwen.

Niall is already a Top 5 Olympia finisher, and in this episode we talk about the mindset, discipline, and reality behind what it takes to climb from an amateur stage to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the best physiques on the planet.

We dive into:

How Niall structures his training split and weekly volume

Why lower volume has him progressing faster than ever

The pressure of having a target on your back as a top contender

Weight cap realities, Olympia prep strategy, and staying conditioned

The truth about enjoying bodybuilding vs resenting it

Why being “successful” doesn’t change who you are — the work does

If you’re a competitor, coach, or someone chasing big goals in any area of life… this one will hit different.

LIKE / SUBSCRIBE / COMMENT — and share this episode with someone who needs that next-level perspective.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Intro + welcoming Niall Darwen
00:31 – Training schedule + rest day structure
01:58 – Weekly volume approach (low volume benefits)
03:19 – Turning pro + early career timeline
05:10 – Fast rise: pro in 2022 → Top 5 Olympia
06:24 – Feeling “at home” on the Olympia stage
08:13 – Why bodybuilding stage experience is different than practice
09:04 – Can Niall win the Olympia?
10:06 – The challenge of timing + short offseason
11:11 – Having a target on your back (pressure of Top 5)
12:23 – Why Niall skipped the Arnold (recovery + longevity)
14:19 – Nick’s perspective watching Classic prejudging live
15:05 – Comparing Niall’s structure to prime Classic physiques
16:46 – Size + structure debate (what wins at the top)
18:13 – Weight caps, cutting late, and why it impacts the look
19:48 – How Niall stays near weight cap without stress
21:38 – Post-show rebound strategy + why recovery matters
24:08 – Favorite look from 2025 season + pump-up strategy
27:08 – Strengths that can beat the top guys
28:50 – What needs improvement (back thickness, shoulders, biceps)
29:53 – Josema condition vs structure comparison
33:19 – Planning shows + guest posing schedule
35:09 – Talking Blake Young + offseason improvements
38:35 – Placings don’t define you (mindset lesson)
40:14 – The grind years: walking miles just to train
42:56 – Falling in love with ALL aspects of bodybuilding
44:12 – Nick reflects on his last show + missing the moments
46:13 – Why bodybuilding should ADD to your life


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