Richard Braddish of Umina Beach has been bodybuilding since he was 16 and has always wanted to compete, but raising a family put his training on hold.
But on Sunday, October 16, he finally competed for the first time at the age of 57 at the Australian Bodybuilding Federation Championships in Newcastle, coming first in the over 50s in Bodybuilding and Classic events and third in the First Timers.
“I have always made it a priority to keep fit and live a healthy lifestyle,” he said.
“But when I had a family things shifted and I took a break from the weights in my 30s and 40s.
“After moving to Umina in 2004 I decided to try something different and joined Umina Surf Club, competing in surf life saving.
“I am still an active patrol member but in the past few years I gained a little weight and found I was really missing working out, so I went back to bodybuilding around three years ago.
“In that time I have lost 40kg with changes in diet and lots of weightlifting along with running and walking.
“Diet is a huge part of fitness and these days I eat very few carbs and lots of protein, fruit and nuts.
“Friends from my local gym at Peninsula Recreation Centre started encouraging me to reconsider competing in bodybuilding, so I registered for the Newcastle event.
“I spent three-four months preparing and it was pretty tough – especially sticking to the diet – but that is crucial to making changes – keeping your calories low and being active.”
Braddish said the competition was a great experience.
“Having family and friends there made it a special day,” he said.
“I would probably look at competing only once or twice a year because it is quite hard on your body.
“I’m thinking of competing at Newcastle again next April.”
Terry Collins