A teenager has spoken about his gruelling daily routine as prepares to compete in the bodybuilding world championships.

William Richardson, from Brighton, started doing home workouts at 15 as a way to “improve myself and be more healthy”. The then Dorothy Stringer pupil soon began cycling to his local gym where he developed his passion for bodybuilding.

He said: “At home I had been doing calisthenics (body weight training) but in the gym I started using the equipment. After doing some online research, I thought, I enjoy this and learning about this. Most subjects I’m not interested in, but this is the one thing I enjoy doing.”

William age 13 at Withdean athletics stadium prior to his bodybuilding daysWilliam age 13 at Withdean athletics stadium prior to his bodybuilding days (Image: Submitted) After two years, William decided he wanted to compete and at 18 came under the guidance of a coach who saw promise and pushed him to succeed.

Now 19 and with three UK titles under his belt he is to compete at the European championships in Hungary and World Championships in Munich, Las Vegas and Boston over the coming weeks.

Bodybuilding championships are operated by three different federations and split into the amateur and pro division. William, who also works as a personal trainer, will compete in the U21 amateur division but hopes to obtain his pro card by the end of the season, which will allow him to compete alongside pros.   

As a natural bodybuilder, William does not take any performance enhancing drugs but follows a gruelling routine and diet. He spends over two hours in the gym six days a week and eats five to six meals a day consisting of potato or rice with chicken or mince alongside supplements and whey protein.

William is a natural bodybuilder so he does not take any performancing enhancing drugsWilliam is a natural bodybuilder so he does not take any performancing enhancing drugs (Image: Submitted) He said: “I have to be in a calorie deficit so that I lose weight to show definition. There are no treats or sweet things. The diet is really difficult.

“Natural bodybuilding takes longer and requires more patience but it’s the best way to do it. Unfortunately, the industry is so skewed towards the drug using side of it and promotes those who take steroids. I want people to know that you don’t have to take anything to be big and happy.”