Who is Samson Dauda? Arnold Sports and Mr Olympia bodybuilding champion
SAMSON Dauda is well known in the sports world due to his bodybuilding success.
The 32-year-old fitness freak can be seen uploading regular content on his social media platforms.
The star has managed to earn an impressive amount of followers since bursting onto the bodybuilding scene.
He offers his own tips and tricks to fans who want to improve their fitness.
Who is Samson Dauda?
Samson Dauda is a bodybuilder living in the UK and is originally from Nigeria, which is what earns him the nickname “Nigerian Lion”.
Away from the sport, Samson is married to wife Marlenka and they live with their dog named Cerberus.
Samson has a huge 693,000 followers on Instagram as of September 2024.
This is where he posts a lot of his content which involves his workouts, meal plans and overall bodybuilding updates.
He shared a photo on September 15, 2024 where he reflected on how far he has come in his training and what he has managed to achieve.
Posting a lengthy message, he said: “I am blessed. A few years ago, I couldn’t have pictured what it would be like to be in the position I am today.
“Dreaming of this success and what it would take to achieve it, seems like something out of a movie… it was just too hard to comprehend. Somedays it felt like I was just being delusional for trying to chase after it.
“Anger, resentment, frustration and impatience can be a lot to deal with when you are giving your all but getting barely anything back in return.”
He then explained that he used to be “embarrassed” when he would tell his colleagues he had the aim to become a professional bodybuilder.
Samson added: “In the journey to achieving a dream, there will be doubts, there will be doubters and you will fall time and time again. You will contemplate giving up over and over again.
“The only thought I held on to was ‘it’s possible’ and if there is a way,…I will find it.”
Samson is popular on YouTube where he has 55,000 subscribers, as of September 2024.
This is where he shares longer videos where he gives followers in-depth guides to his workouts.
What is his bodybuilding record?
Samson’s bodybuilding career began in 2014 when he competed in a beginner competition, but the same day, the promoter invited him to compete in the main show later on.
He then managed to take the first place trophy home that day.
Since then, Samson has competed in several competitions and won several titles.
These include:
- 2017 Diamond Cup Rome Men’s Bodybuilding overall – First place
- 2017 Diamond Cup Rome Men’s Bodybuilding over 90kg – First place
- 2017 British Championships Men’s Bodybuilding over 100kg – Second place
- 2019 Pro League British Grand Prix Men’s Bodybuilding – Second place
- 2020 Pro League Monsterzym Pro Men’s Bodybuilding – Second place
- 2021 Pro League Arnold Classic UK Pro Men’s Bodybuilding – Second place
- 2021 Pro League EVLS Prague Pro Men’s Bodybuilding open – First place
- 2021 Pro League Romania Muscle Fest Pro Men’s Bodybuilding open – Second place
- 2023 Pro League Olympia Men’s Bodybuilding open – Third place
How much exercise should you do and when?
There are guidelines issued by the NHS and the Government regarding how much exercise people should do each day.
People should be active daily, and avoid sitting for long periods.
The NHS recommends an adults – those aged 19 to 64 – should aim for 150 minutes of “moderate intensity activity” a week.
This works out to 21 minutes a day, or 30 minutes five days a week.
Or, they could do 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week, which could be less than 11 minutes per day or 25 minutes three days a week.
Adults should also aim to do strength exercises twice a week, at least.
Examples of moderate-intensity activities include brisk walking, water aerobics, riding a bike, dancing, doubles tennis, pushing a lawn mower, hiking or rollerblading.
Examples of vigorous activities include running, swimming, riding a bike fast or on hills, walking up the stairs, sports, like football, rugby, netball and hockey, skipping, aerobics, gymnastics or martial arts.
Things like lifting heavy weights, sprinting up hills, spin classes or circuit training are considered very vigorous.
What time should you exercise?
Getting exercise into your day, no matter what time is a good idea.
But you may want to be more selective depending on your goal.
A 2023 US study on 5,285 middle-aged adults showed exercising between 7 and 9 am was the best time if you’re looking to lose weight.
Researchers found that early-bird gym goers had a lower body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference than those working out later.
A 2022 study led by Prof Paul J Arciero, Skidmore College, New York, found that the optimal time of day to get your kit on might differ according to your gender.
Prof Arciero said women wanting to lose fat around their belly and hips would do better to hit the gym in the morning, but those seeking to gain upper body strength or simply improve their mood might see more results from evening exercise.
The results were the opposite for men.
If you struggle to get to sleep, it’s been found that exercise in the morning may help, but exercise in the evening may help you to stay asleep.
Exercise, generally, can improve sleep quality.