NICK SWANN: AN AGELESS IRON WARRIOR

Nick Swann recently competed in the 2020 IFBB Masters World Championships - just eight weeks short of his 60th birthday.

Nick, who owns Rhino's Gymnasium in Stamford, Lincolnshire, finished sixth in the 75kg+ category for men aged 55 to 59. He's already set his sights on coming back next year and competing in the over 60s division. How does he do it?

Motivation comes easily for Nick, who from his teens to the age of 40 played football and cricket to a high standard and won many awards. At 40 he and his son, Sam, who was 16 at the time, joined Barnsdale Country Club, a local health club and spa, to stay in shape.

They soon outgrew it and travelled 50 miles a night, six days a week to train at a more hardcore gym in Kettering. Sam was the first to step on stage and in 2013 the two men set up Rhino’s Gymnasium, an expansive 10,000 square foot training facility that now ranks as one of the finest gyms in the UK.

Nick on stage at the 2020 IFBB World Masters Championships.

FIRST CONTEST

Nick won his first contest in May 2015 and the same year finished fourth of 19 in the over-50s at the UKBFF British Championships. “Getting first call out at my first British final and placing fourth was the defining moment in my career,” says Nick, who from that moment believed he could be competitive at the highest level.

He took 2016 off to grow and returned 10 kg heavier at 92kg in 2017 to win the over 50s at the East of England Championships and finish second a the British Championships, which earned the right to compete internationally.

In a three-month hot streak in 2018 he first took gold at the Arnold Classic Europe in the masters 55 to 59 75 kg+ category. “Winning the Arnolds opened up many doors,” says Nick. “I had two photoshoots, one with Muscle & Health, the official IFBB magazine and another with the world famous FLEX magazine, as well as a sponsorship deal with DY Nutrition.”

He then finished third at the over-50s at the UKBFF British finals and was then second of 19 in Spain at his first IFBB World Championships.

In 2019 Nick focused on the IFBB World Masters in December but during his prep he finished second at the British Championships. He arrived in Spain for the Worlds to find no fewer than 49 athletes had entered the 55-59 age bracket, which meant splitting the division into three weight categories, Nick, at 91 kg, was with the over-90 kg heavyweights! At 58, he was one of the older athletes but still managed an impressive sixth place.

TURNING 60

Nick will be 60 is January and planned to take 2020 off and then compete in the over-60s but the call of the stage proved too strong. In August he gave himself 13 weeks to prep for the IFBB Masters World Championships again and covid caused numerous problems with dates and flights having to be rescheduled. He flew out of Heathrow airport alone the day before the second lockdown and found himself the oldest of 11 quality guys. Yet somehow he still managed to finish sixth.

“The IFBB is the absolute pinnacle of bodybuilding so I can truly call myself the sixth best masters bodybuilder in the world,” he says. “The top three this year were all aged just 55 so age does make a big difference.”

In five years Nick has competed 11 times, all with the UKBFF / IFBB, and achieved the following results: 1st x4, 2nd x4, 4th x1 and 6th x 2

“The history and legacy of the UKBFF and the standard of the athletes, particularly the masters, makes it the best and most prestigious federation in the UK,” he says. “In addition to this it is the only federation that affiliates to the IFBB, the largest federation in the world. To stand on the IFBB world stage is undoubtedly the pinnacle of bodybuilding and the only world title worth having.

“I am grateful to Bill and Wanda Tierney and the UKBFF for their ongoing support and hope to bring home that world gold soon.”

Nick on stage last year. Incredible shape and conditioning at the age of 58.

WORLD AMBITION

Nick desperately wants to complete his trophy cabinet with an IFBB world title to go alongside his Arnold Classic title.

Next year he will be one of the youngest in the over-60s category so that is very much on his mind. What motivates him to keep going at an age when many guys are reaching for the pipe and slippers? In his own words...

“To call yourself a world champion of the best federation on the planet, knowing that you are truly the best is what ultimately drives me. But possibly above that I get an immense amount of pleasure out of inspiring others and demonstrating that with hard work, dedication and commitment, practically anything is possible.

Coming second in both the British and World Championships is so close it hurts, I know its achievable, age is not on my side but I have the determination to achieve it.

Ultimately, I believe motivation is within your make-up. Some people are self motivated; others aren’t. Upbringing plays a part but I think motivation is in your DNA.

Bodybuilding is a fantastic sport in that you stand on your own two feet, you are accountable to yourself, no one else. I love team sports and the camaraderie it brings but bodybuilding is all down to you, what you put in you get out.

Bodybuilding and the strict routines regrading training, diet and nutrition, especially during the competing phase, requires immense discipline and this is such a valuable skill that I translate into everyday life which has brought me success in business and life in general.

As well as this discipline I use a number of core values and morals in everyday life, which include 'delivering superior results' (always be the best version of you), trust and honesty, being caring and showing integrity right at the top. Basically do what you say you will, if you commit to something make sure you do it, whether that be a competition or something for others.

ADVICE

“Always have a goal, it will give you that added focus and importantly force you to devise a plan to achieve that goal. Don’t be afraid to take risks, if you fail go and go again, I’ve been there, I took a risk competing at such a high level, two second places hurt but I go again and again. Never be afraid to learn, no-one knows everything. Treat every day as a school day.

Finally, bodybuilding can be all consuming, especially when you are shooting for the very top, but never lose sight that life is all about balance, and the most important aspect of this is family. I am fortunate that I have a family that supports me in pursuit of my dreams. It’s not forever but for now the drive, desire, ambition and focus for that elusive world title burns bright. Project 60 is full steam ahead.”