Fifteen of Ireland's top natural bodybuilders are preparing to take centre stage in Los Angeles this weekend for the World Natural Bodybuilding Championships.
The event sees athletes from over 60 countries abide by strict drug testing standards and compete in natural bodybuilding contests.
Sligo-based Dylan Nolan, a native of Co Clare, earned his place among the world’s best after winning his category at the World Natural Bodybuilding Championships (WNBF) Ireland national competition.
"I've been training for seven years. I train six days a week, once a day," explained Mr Nolan.
"You also have your cardio and then when you sign up for a body building competition, you have to go through your poses so all of that means a session could be two or two and a half hours," he said.
Mr Nolan works fulltime in quality assurance as well as a personal trainer so committing to bodybuilding takes a lot of discipline he said.
"It's just very regimented. You have to track everything because you're trying to track progression, because that's how you grow," he said.
The regime becomes stricter, as a bodybuilding competition approaches.
"It's becomes more meticulous and intense when you go into a dieting phase, which you need to for a bodybuilding show," said Mr Nolan.
The World Natural Body Building Federation runs this weekend's event. It was set up by Chen N Low in New York City, aiming to promote drug-tested bodybuilding events worldwide.
Contestants must first win the WNBF from their dedicated countries before competing in the world competition. In Ireland, it is led by Finbarr and Lill Murphy, from Co Wexford.
Mr Nolan said their committment to giving athletes a fair and supportive platform has been instrumental in its growth in popularity.
"I see a lot more interest, I feel like it's definitely growing, but I'd love to push more information out there, even just an awareness thing," he said.
Bodybuilding has its critics with some pointing to health risks such as extreme dieting, and an increased risk of heart problems.
However Mr Nolan said there are many misconceptions out there.
"It's a competitive competition and I feel like it should be regarded as sport, because it just takes as much time and effort as anything else to get better at and improve.
"And again, it's natural. People think if you're into bodybuilding you're probably on performance drugs but that's not the case," he said.
With 15 contestants from all over Ireland, Dylan Nolan explained the benefits of these shows,
"If you go to an untested show, there’s obviously some performance enhancement drugs being involved with other athletes, which you might feel pressure to conform to and use them just to compete.
"In the WNBF, all competitors are required to take an intense polygraph and all athletes who win must submit a mandatory urinalysis testt. It’s a fair, level playing ground for everyone competing.
"It just makes it fair for natural athletes that someone isn't coming in that's using performing drugs and basically cheating their way to a win," said Mr Nolan.
For Conor McCarthy, another competitor taking part, this weekend marks another major milestone. He is taking part in the pro category and this is his third time to represent Ireland on the world stage.
"To get the opportunity to represent your country is just special," said Mr McCarthy.
"I have competed with with WNBF Ireland since 2018 and this weekend will be my third time to step on the world stage for Ireland," he explains.
While it is a challenging process, the father of three said it is an enjoyable one.
"It could take up to 20 weeks, 16 weeks or 12 weeks, depending on where your starting position is, in terms of body fat," he said.
"You set a plan of action, and you set your date, and you manipulate cardio and food and change things up, depending on how your body is responding, it's an enjoyable process".
Mr McCarthy agrees with Dylan Nolan around the misconceptions that are out there around bodybuilding.
"When you start getting leaner, you can get some comments from people saying, 'he's on this or he's on that' but with the WNBF, they are the most recognised Federation for drug testing so there are no way around it," he said.
He also dismissed some critics concerns around the health risks.
"People might say there are health concerns, but like, when you're doing it in a smarter way, when you're natural, it's a lot different, like, you're not pumping yourself with any sort of enhancements.
"It's probably the healthiest you'll ever be. Your supplements are on point, your food is on point. You might have low energy but you get on with that and deal with it," he added.
"Hopefully I'll get the best result this weekend, I'm excited," he said.
