For the past nine years, I’ve been fully invested in natural bodybuilding. It’s not just about lifting weights - it takes real commitment, consistency, and a lot of self-discipline. There are no shortcuts in this sport! It’s all about showing up every day, sticking to the plan, and putting in the work, both physically and mentally. And honestly, that’s what I love about it. I enjoy the grind - the early mornings, late nights, and everything in between. It’s tough, but that’s what makes it worth it.
Over the years, I’ve had some amazing experiences. I’ve competed in quite a few shows and have been lucky enough to come away with a multiple wins and overall titles. Every competition has been a learning curve - pushing me to improve not just how I train, but how I think and approach the whole process. The wins have been great, but the setbacks have probably taught me even more. They’ve all played a part in shaping who I am as an athlete and reminded me that real progress comes from patience, consistency, and showing up even when it’s hard.
2023 was a big year for me - I earned my Pro Card with the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF). That moment meant a lot to me because it was the result of years of hard work, consistency, and just sticking with it. Not long after that, I made my pro debut at the WNBF European Championships in Germany, which was a pretty surreal experience. Competing alongside some of the top natural athletes out there really pushed me to bring my best. Then came the World Championships in the U.S., which took things to a whole new level. Getting the chance to represent my country on that stage was something I’ll never forget!
These days, with so many people turning to shortcuts and substances to get ahead, I’ve stuck to doing things the natural way. It’s not always the easy route, but it’s the right one. Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to encourage others to train hard, stay consistent, and focus on long-term progress. If sharing my journey helps even one person believe they can do it naturally too, then that’s a win in my book.
His achievements haven't gone unnoticed either – John has been featured in various newspapers and radio shows, and also had the privilege of appearing on The Today Show on RTE, which has significantly increased his visibility.
John is a lifelong natural athlete with an unwavering passion for health and fitness, earning his qualification as a personal trainer in 2012. Commencing his competitive venture in 2016 at the age of 29, he has since forged an illustrious path, participating in 8 national competitions. His track record speaks volumes, securing 3 overall titles across various tournaments and maintaining an unwavering presence within the top 3 in every competition - a statistic that he’s very proud of. These achievements were accomplished under the expert guidance of his coach, John Carney of JC Physique Fitness, also a Castlebar native, who has been a constant source of support throughout the years.
John is currently employed as a personal trainer at Goal’s Gym Castlebar, a thriving 8,000 sq ft fitness facility with over 1,000 members. In addition to this, John runs First Choice Fitness, a personal training business catering to fitness enthusiasts of every level. Whether you’re looking for weight loss, muscle gain, enhanced body composition, strength improvement, or just a healthier lifestyle, First Choice Fitness offers tailored solutions to help you achieve it.
If you’ve got any questions or want to clarify anything just give us a call or contact us using the form below. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can. Look forward to hearing from you…
