Nicholas Smith

Nicholas Smith

Built to Last: Chasing Legacy in Classic Bodybuilding

Interview with Nicholas (@stnick94)

Athlete Interview: Built for the Long Game

How did you first get started in your sport?
Before bodybuilding ever entered the picture, I was actually a county swimmer and competed in athletics high jump, long jump, and the 100-metre sprint. Sport was always part of who I was.

When age caught up and life did what life does, competition faded but the hunger didn’t. The gym became the next best thing. I was stick thin back then, and like most lads in that position, I just wanted to get bigger and stronger.

I spent years dieting up and down, learning the hard way, before taking on my first solo prep for a NABBA South East show. From that moment, it was clear — my shape and structure were built for Classic Bodybuilding. Since then, this hasn’t been a phase. It’s been a lifestyle.

When did you realise this was more than just a hobby?
The moment I stepped off stage honestly.
But more than that, it was the lifestyle itself. The discipline. The routine. The grind. The journey, not the destination, made it obvious this was something deeper.

What was the biggest struggle in your early days?
Patience.
Body dysmorphia.
And finding the right community.

Was there a moment you nearly quit?
Absolutely more than once.
Everyone reaches a crossroads at some point, where one decision can change the direction of their future for better or worse. As much as bodybuilding is a lifestyle, it’s not the only lifestyle. We’re all individuals with responsibilities, relationships, and realities outside the gym.

What achievement are you most proud of so far?
None.
I’ve never been settled or satisfied there’s always something to improve. I’m just grateful I still get to do what I do and genuinely enjoy it.

What sacrifices did it take to get where you are now?
Some absolutely questionable food concoctions, for a start.
But more seriously cutting out people and environments that weren’t aligned with where I was heading or willing to support the goals I set.

What does a typical training day look like for you?

  • Morning stretching
  • Vitamins, supplements, injections
  • Pre-meal (and M1 on the right days)
  • Training session
  • Posing rounds
  • Cardio
  • A full day of adult responsibilities, meals, and steps
  • Bed

Simple. Repetitive. Effective.

How do you handle pressure, doubt, or bad days?
I sit with them.
I regulate, contemplate, and overcome.

At my worst, I know exactly what to do go train. Leave everything on the gym floor. By the end of the session, my mind is clear and I’m ready to tackle whatever’s in front of me.

What mindset shift made the biggest difference in your progress?
I stopped wasting my potential.
I wanted to be more. Do more.
I stopped caring about the naysayers and the what-ifs. So what if I stumble? I won’t stay down so why not try?

What goals are you chasing right now?
Milestone goals mean there’s an end to them and I don’t believe in limits. But if we’re calling it out:

  • Pro Card by 2026 (said it here first)
  • A full year of competing for the love of it
  • Becoming a recognised posing coach and overall coach
  • Competing at the Amateur Olympia
  • If the universe allows it the golden goose: The Arnold Classic

What legacy do you want to leave as an athlete?
The next coming of The Shadow.

What advice would you give someone just starting out?
Don’t quit.
The toughest diamonds are formed in the harshest environments.
Do it for yourself.
Find a new reason to keep going every single day.
And don’t listen to the naysayers.

Welcome to Symbiote Labz.

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