Child bodybuilder and former ‘Mini Mr Olympia’ is unrecognisable eight years on from winning weightlifting competition
A CHILD bodybuilder who was once crowned Mini Mr Olympia is completely unrecognisable eight years on.
Vince Poppleton, from Omaha, Nebraska, claimed the title as a 12 year old when he took part in a national bodybuilding competition held in California, US.
He hit the headlines due to his achievement and told KETV at the time: “I like the results you get when you work out.
He added: “I like the feeling of being on stage, like that adrenaline rush and how I look.
“I want to look as muscular as possible. I was just eating chicken and asparagus because that’s what bodybuilders do.”
The youngster was helped by his dad, Bill, who also keeps him in check.
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He said: “The dieting has to be just right to look good for that day – but it’s not realistic.”
There have been concerns though that bodybuilding at such a young age may actually damage people’s bodies
Physical therapist Gib Willett said: “A national body of experts all say strength training is appropriate, is safe and can improve performance if you do it correctly.”
He added: “They’re not producing the hormones that cause muscle building so they get strength by improving their nervous system.
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“It gives me a tonne of confidence. I feel great about myself.
Things are very different now for Vince who is now a mechanical engineering student at Grand Canyon University, according to his LinkedIn profile.
It seems he is thriving in the academic world as well, writing: “I have studied prototyping and mechanical design and have earned an associate-level certification in mechanical design through SolidWorks (CSWA).
“Along with this, I have learned many other skills on a fundamental level such as programming (MATLAB and C++), soldering, and machining.”
It seems he now has a passion for golf as well.
His profile says he was worked the past two summers in golf course maintenance at the Omaha Country Club.
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Vince says his working day would start at 5.30am and work anything from nine to 12 hour days, six days a week.
He still appears to be keeping active with photos posted to his Instagram account showing him going skiing, surfing and hiking in the stunning Colorado landscape.
