In an early February 2024 Mulligan Brothers‘ vodcast, Jordan Mulligan visited reigning Mr. Olympia champion Samson Dauda at his residence to debate Dauda’s life and career. How does the Nigerian-born, British bodybuilder get jacked sufficient to win essentially the most coveted bodybuilding title on the earth?
Onerous work. You must have dedication to attain; drive to need it badly.
—Samson Dauda
The interview delved into a number of notable facets of Dauda’s life and profession, together with:
- Childhood
- Bodybuilding Inspiration
- First Beginner Present
- Transitioning to Professional Competitors
- Practically Quitting
- Coached by His Spouse
- Profitable Mr. Olympia
Dauda is amid 2025 Arnold Classic prep. The occasion is scheduled for Feb. 28 by March 1 in Columbus, OH. He hopes to hitch the few bodybuilders in historical past to win the Arnold Basic and Mr. Olympia in the identical 12 months, stating, “I need to construct a legacy.”
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Early Years and Transition to Bodybuilding
Dauda credited his time in boarding college for his disciplined mindset and desire for private autonomy.
I hated it, but it surely ingrained numerous life classes in me. I don’t have a great relationship with authority. I see them because the enemy, a menace, or my boss.
—Samson Dauda
As a shy youth, sports activities turned Dauda’s outlet for expression, although he suppressed his athletic abilities to keep away from consideration. Dauda recalled by no means taking his shirt off at the beach, preferring to stay underneath the radar. It wasn’t till he discovered camaraderie in rugby that he started to interrupt out of his shell.
Pressured to bulk his frame, Dauda surpassed his teammates, who, alongside along with his future spouse and present coach, Mel, inspired him to compete in bodybuilding.
The thought of stripping in entrance of individuals was past something I’d ever do.
—Samson Dauda
Dauda noticed a video of seven-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath in 2013:
I used to be blown away. I didn’t know people might appear like that.
—Samson Dauda
After seeing a fitness center mate, who was much less genetically blessed, win a bodybuilding present, Dauda determined to compete in early 2014.
First Present & Second of Realization
“The primary time I stripped my garments, the entire room went quiet. I circled and [saw] everybody taking a look at me,” Dauda recounted. Petrified of his novice debut, a flip switched, “I walked on stage; felt like I had carried out it a thousand instances. I used to be utterly assured. I felt at residence on that stage,” he recollected.
Dauda gained his rookie present and an open competitors later that night time, reinforcing his determination to take bodybuilding significantly.
It felt too completely aligned for me to not consider in future.
—Samson Dauda
Struggles Earlier than Stardom
Regardless of his early success, Dauda hit a drought after incomes his professional card. By 2020, he contemplated quitting as a result of monetary burden, solely to fall additional down the aggressive ranks.
“[Mel and I] had been placing all our funds into this factor, hoping it might repay sooner or later. However we ended every year with nothing to indicate for it,” Dauda advised Mulligan.
Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and Dauda misplaced his development job earlier than destiny intervened, a contract supply from complement model Hosstile. “I had contacted many corporations earlier than, and so they all mentioned no. However this time, somebody believed in me. That was my lifeline,” Dauda professed.
Coach Criticism
Dauda’s most vital current problem was the backlash he obtained hiring his spouse, Mel, as his coach to arrange for the 2024 Mr. Olympia. Dauda beforehand labored with Miloš Šarčev.
“It pissed me off. I wished to lash out,” Dauda expressed. “[Mel] advised me don’t. Individuals didn’t understand how concerned she was in my journey; she is aware of me inside out.”
Second of Redemption
With Mel’s steerage, Dauda claimed the 2024 Mr. Olympia title. It was a vivid victory, “The second they known as me the winner, all of the flashbacks of each troublesome second flooded in,” Dauda shared. “It’s overwhelming.”
Dauda’s message to all his doubters: “I advised you so. I’ll [win] yearly till I make it clear it was not simply me. There was any person there that you just tossed to the facet and mentioned she’s simply his spouse.”
Upon receiving the Sandow trophy, Dauda advised Mel, “Choose it up and present all of them. That was my f***-you second,” Dauda confessed.
“In order for you one thing, you get one life. There aren’t any reruns,” Dauda conveyed. “For those who don’t do it, it’s gone. Don’t want or wait — there’ll by no means be the correct time. You must make it occur. Whether or not you obtain it or not, a life going after a objective isn’t a life wasted. Go for it!”
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Featured picture: @samson__dauda on Instagram