Michael Clarke is a prize winning competitive bodybuilder in Perth, Western Australia, now renowned for his impeccable physique.

But it wasn’t always like this. Once Michael was known as a skinny kid in school, and even after dedicating himself to going to the gym for years, he still had an unbalanced body - big chest, big arms, and the legs of a small child.

After his divorce a few years ago, he decided that he was going to make some major changes in his life. He hired a personal trainer and nutritionist, and started preparing for a bodybuilding competition 9 weeks away - even though the normal timeline for an experienced athlete is 12 weeks.

In this interview we find out what Clarkey learnt about himself, about what it means to have self-esteem, and find the important balance with making a priority of one’s own goals and taking care of your loved ones at the same time.

Content warning: strong language

For the blog: Build a New Body with Michael Clarke A Beautiful Thought