Overview

This was my first time ever competing in anything like this — and what a journey it turned out to be.

The Beginning

When I was around 17 years old, my mom and her friend (tannie Adamalein 😂) signed up at our local gym. After a few months, they stopped going, and I managed to get one of the unused passes.

I’ve been hooked ever since. For the past 20 years, I’ve trained at a gym in some form or another.

Almost Competed

At around 26 years old, I was training at a gym where several people were competing. I tried to get some guidance from them and from a trainer at the time, but it didn’t quite work out — so I parked the idea.

Finally Competing

For my 40th birthday, I decided to do something special (like voluntarily starving yourself for months 🤔).

I also managed to find my support system:

My wife – who had to deal with me while I was hungry and not sleeping. I’m an angel, by the way 👼.
Kimmy – my teammate and the one who motivated me all the way through.
Leanne – my calorie counter and posing coach.