Nathan De Asha
IFBB Professional Bodybuilder, Sponsored Athlete
Nathan De Asha is an IFBB professional bodybuilder from Liverpool, England. Known for his thick muscle mass, round delts, and powerful stage presence, Nathan has competed at the highest level of bodybuilding, including the Mr Olympia. Since turning professional, he has established himself as one of the most resilient and hard-working athletes in the IFBB Pro League.
Early Life and Background
Nathan grew up in a poor area of Liverpool and was raised by a single mother who struggled financially. Opportunities were limited, and Nathan has openly spoken about how sport became his escape from street life. He believed that success in fitness could give his family a better future and a safer environment to live in.
Before bodybuilding, Nathan was a talented athlete. He played semi-professional football for nearly a decade and later transitioned into rowing, where he trained alongside Olympic gold medalist Sir Steven Redgrave. These early sports helped him develop discipline, endurance, and mental toughness.
Discovering Bodybuilding
Nathan started weight training at the age of 18. Initially, his goal was to gain size to improve his football performance. His first gym experience was intimidating, surrounded by much larger lifters, but he quickly fell in love with lifting weights and the process of transforming his body.
He began studying bodybuilding books and magazines, learning the basics of training and nutrition. Once he aligned his diet with structured training, his physique changed rapidly. Within his first 15 months of training, Nathan gained approximately 45 pounds of muscle.
Setbacks and Prison Sentence
In 2011, Nathan’s life took a dramatic turn. Following riots in Liverpool, he was charged with encouraging public disorder due to comments he made online. Refusing to plead guilty on principle, he was sentenced to 20 months in prison.
This period was one of the most difficult phases of his life. However, it also strengthened his mindset and determination to succeed once he was released.
Road to IFBB Pro Card
After his release, Nathan attempted to continue his education but faced limitations due to his criminal record. He decided to fully commit to bodybuilding and target the British Championships to earn his Pro Card.
Severe health issues, including multiple blood clots, pneumonia, and the loss of a close family member nearly derailed his journey. Despite these challenges, Nathan returned stronger and won the heavyweight and overall titles at the 2014 British Championships, earning his IFBB Pro Card.
Professional Career and Mr Olympia
Nathan made his professional debut in 2016 and quickly proved he belonged among the elite. He won major IFBB competitions, including the Toronto Pro and Lou Ferrigno Legacy, which qualified him for the Mr Olympia.
At the Mr Olympia, Nathan competed against legends like Phil Heath. Although he placed outside the top ten, he viewed the experience as a learning opportunity and motivation for future success.
Training Philosophy
Nathan trains both in Liverpool and Kuwait. While in Kuwait, he trains at Oxygen Gym under the guidance of Roelly Winklaar, who also acts as his coach. His training style focuses on heavy weights, intensity, and pushing muscles to failure.
He follows a body-part split and gives extra attention to weaker areas, particularly his back, often training it twice in one day to bring up density and detail.
Nutrition and Supplements
Nathan adapts his diet based on location. In Kuwait, he enjoys local cuisine while adjusting macros to meet bodybuilding demands. In England, he prefers home-cooked meals using quality meat and carbohydrates.
He relies on supplements such as whey protein, pre-workouts, amino acids, and vitamins to support recovery, strength, and muscle maintenance.
What We Can Learn from Nathan De Asha?
Nathan De Asha’s journey is a powerful example of resilience. Despite poverty, imprisonment, severe health issues, and personal loss, he never abandoned his goals. His story shows that setbacks do not define a person — persistence, discipline, and belief do.
