Nathan was born and brought up in Oxford. At 7 years old he was encouraged to join Oxford City Athletics Club, where his sporting career began. Nathan turned down the chance to play football at a young age due to his love for Athletics. Nathan's progress "out of the pack" of promising British triple jumpers in 2004 was only surprising to those who weren’t close to him. In adding 65cms to his personal best he was transformed from being an unknown in the GB under 23 team to becoming the most unexpected member of the Olympic squad.
A former AAA U23 and U20 champion, U23 team captain and twice English Schools’ winner, Nathan was the British number five heading into 2004. Nathan began his season as usual at the Loughborough International in June and there set a new personal best of 16.49m. After only three more meets he went to the AAA's hoping to snatch one of the three Olympic places. Nathan set two new PB’s during the competition, firstly a 16.56m jump in round four before jumping a sensational 16.95m in the final round, matching the Olympic qualifying standard and guaranteeing his place on the plane to Athens.

Following a fine sixth place finish in the Norwich Union London GP with 16.72m, Nathan went to the Olympics in Athens. This was to be his GB senior debut, he jumped a commendable 16.84m for 13th in the qualifying round; missing a spot in the final by just 7cms and in the process defeated thirteen jumpers who had exceeded 17m.