Speaking directly to fans on Samson Dauda’s YouTube channel, Marlena shared how they have navigated the sport together over the years, “What you knew in your first prep compared to what you know now, it’s completely two different people.”

“So, we started bodybuilding together. It took us at least five or six years to learn how to navigate around this sport, how to navigate around things like, “Okay, when I'm hungry, I can get a bit moody when I'm hungry,” or maybe some things that affect me in a way that wouldn’t happen if I didn’t do something else, or whatever. So, it takes years,” said Marlena.

She further explained that their learning curve has always trended upward. In the first year, while both of them were learning the know-how of the sport, she adjusted their diet and training regimen, changes that Dauda initially didn’t like. “It’s not because he's moody — it’s because we were both learning at the time."

“So it takes, it takes a few years. Even now, we're still learning. We’re at a much better point now because we don’t argue anymore about diet or prep because we’re completely on the same page right now. We’re on the same page,” Marlena concluded.

Samson Dauda’s rise in bodybuilding has been impressive. He began his journey in April 2014. Early setbacks tested him, but with Marlena by his side, he never gave up. When asked if he would change his coach, Dauda’s answer shocked many.

“I’m stopping bodybuilding,” Samson Dauda answers when asked about changing coaches

“People need to understand, if she leaves me, I’m stopping bodybuilding. I ain’t doing this alone,” said Dauda. His 2024 Mr. Olympia win, he has repeatedly noted, was driven by Marlena’s support. Dauda has often credited her as the one who pulled him into the sport during his lowest point.

“She dragged me into this sport; she’s responsible for whatever happens to me in this sport. So if she were to say, ‘I’m done.’ Okay, great, I’m done too. If you really understand, I’m not getting rid of my wife for nothing,” said Dauda in his conversation with ‘The Beyond the Stage TV.’

After failing to defend his Mr. Olympia title in 2025, Samson Dauda is more than motivated enough to be at the top in 2026. Given that, will he be a threat to Derek Lunsford's throne?

Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Joyita Das