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Great to see bodybuilding has almost given you a lease of life there Joe, great story. Looks like you took heed to the advice of sacrifice and dedication as well.

For me, it was something to build self-esteem and character. I was socially awkward, insecure, physically and visually frail, and of course, wanted to get laid. The gym has given repaid me all of these qualities in abundance. Exercise has literally changed my life for the better - I am 100% sure of that.

That being said, I was always a very good athlete at anything I applied myself too, and had a natural tendency to excel at physical endeavours so this was no different. & of course, results bring consistency and more hunger, and like most of us around here, this has just encouraged me to keep pushing onwards.

I am indebted to my brother for the initial inspiration though and still am inspired by him as a natural lifter and how committed he is to things.

When I went to secondary school I was a bit pudgy, but was probably one of the biggest guys in my year. (height wise) rugby was one of the main sports in the school and all first years had to play. As well as hockey which I hated. But I was good at rugby so I ended up on the first team and dropped hockey. In the cup season we often had matches Monday. Wednesday. And every second Saturday. With training Tuesday and Thursday. We had a fantastic team and only lost once in the year. And conceded no tries. It's when you get used to winning you find It motivating to keep Winning. I was in the best shape of my life.
Back then though training below the age of 18 was frowned on. Lots of people believed it stunted your growth. So no one knew about the gym.

It's only recently that I've gotten back into working out. Too old for rugby but I do miss team interaction. It was a mate who inspired me to go back to gym to do weights. I'm glad he did. Still class myself as a newbie but hope I'll get back to bein in half decent shape

It kind of started 2 ways for me, one was thatn i used to do motocross at a good level and ended up having a pretty bad accident and braking my tibia and fibula ( i think this is how you spell it) basically my shin and when i was laid up i obviously got fat so i went to loose the weight and get fit so it kind of started there but wasnt that serious missing weeks at a time sometimes.

Then the other thing that really got me going was a fight i had at school and totaly rit this lad of that was saying stuff about my sister like 4 years older than me and the police got involved for assault. With me not being in trouble before the Police officer who delt with it, still remember his name (PC Cricherly) just gave me a ticking of really and had a word with my mum nothing to serious and he said why dont you take boxing up so i did, and now im National champion and getting ready to fight in GB champs and turn Professional !!! YEH BUDDY !!!