Much like many individuals, my journey into fitness began with utter cluelessness. When I initially stepped into the gym, I was a lost soul, bouncing between fad diets and splurging my hard-earned money on workout magazines, supplements, and futile programs. Despite all the effort and expense, I had little to show in terms of progress.

To add a twist to the tale, I was also grappling with an insatiable sweet tooth, accompanied by an almost compulsive donut addiction. This “junk food” diet was the norm for most of my teenage years and well into my twenties. My childhood was defined by lollies, chocolate, vegemite and cheese sandwiches, donuts, and a significant amount of takeout.

Growing up, I lacked any fitness role models and was oblivious to concepts like calorie counting or “macronutrients” until I hit the age of 30. I didn’t sip my first protein shake or delve into strength training until I was 29 – definitely a late bloomer in the fitness world.

Deep down, I always yearned to attain that chiselled physique, to feel proud of my body. Yet, I genuinely believed that my genetics, lifestyle, junk food cravings, and the demands of my corporate night shift job would forever thwart my quest for a lasting transformation.

It wasn’t until I hit the big 3-0 that I decided it was time for a change, a time to bid farewell to late-night chocolate binges and sugary office vending machine trips at 2 in the morning. It was time to unlock the secrets of getting in shape.

I dedicated a portion of my night shift hours to voraciously learning about nutrition, training techniques, and the science of body recomposition. I became obsessed, poring over scientific journals and integrating this newfound knowledge into my demanding night shift schedule.

I embarked on a mission to transform myself, and I felt absolutely unstoppable—giving it my all.

It wasn’t a walk in the park! After 12 to 18 months of unwavering dedication, I achieved the best shape of my life—while still working night shifts. That’s when I made the decision to compete in my very first amateur bodybuilding competition, where I clinched the first-place title. This victory set me on a path to competing in several more competitions, including representing Team Australia at the World Titles.

A side note: My entire transformation was achieved completely naturally, without any performance-enhancing drugs. I’ve never dabbled in them and never will.

To delve deeper into my transformation journey from “skinny-fat” to where I stand today, check out this video for the full story.