As day turns to night, and he has finished his school day, he turns his attention back to his passion
Netherton-born bodybuilder Stephen Burke is set to jet off to Hollywood this month to compete in one of the most prestigious bodybuilding tournaments on the planet. However, unlike most other athletes, he has another career away from the sport.
The 38-year-old’s path to the pinnacle of the sport can be traced back to when he was just a teenager in the back of a sixth form classroom, he said: “I was looking to get a little bit more into fitness, and I was getting more into my physical fitness, and then I saw natural bodybuilding. So I started researching it, and I thought I wouldn’t mind exploring being a competitive natural bodybuilder to see if I had what it takes to do it.”
Stephen has since gone on to dedicate over 20 years to competing in over 35 bodybuilding competitions: “I have travelled to over 40 different countries. I love to travel and experience new cultures. I train in every country I am fortunate enough to visit. I have competed in places like Seattle, New York, Connecticut, and around Italy too many times to mention.”
In that time he has picked up a hugely impressive three Natural British Bodybuilding Champion awards, as well as competing at the 2023 WNBF Championships (World Natural Bodybuilding Federation). Natural bodybuilding sees competitors maintain their physique using methods such as strenuous training techniques, having a highly nutritious diet, and getting adequate amounts of rest, all without the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).
During each tournament, he joins fellow athletes as they are judged on symmetry, quarter turns, muscularity and conditioning and finally 60 seconds of “free posing” to music.
While he travels the world competing in some of the biggest tournaments, he spends most of his time split between teaching computer science, PE, business education and geography at Litherland High School and SENDSCOPE independent school in Woolton.
While many are still sleeping, Stephen’s busy schedule, which is split between teaching and training, requires him to rise earlier than most: “My day generally starts at like 5 am, so I’m up at 5am and I’m out getting steps in, because I think walking in nature is good for the mind. It’s good to be out there stepping; it’s less impactful on the joints.”
As day turns to night, and he has finished his school day, he turns his attention back to his fitness plan: “In the evening, I’ll tend to do my weight training sessions, like maybe four or five days a week, and I’ll stick to 30-minute sessions. I’ll do 30-minute weights like four or five days a week, and I’ll just condense it down into that one intense workout as opposed to being in there for four or five hours because I think that can be quite counter-productive.”
But, while he has a carefully crafted training schedule, he is always sure to make room for his family and friends: “I’ve got to make sure that I’m on top form for family and friends, and this holistic approach is that everything needs to be in synchronisation because I don’t want to sacrifice doing one thing for another.”
“Family and friends are everything to me I am very fortunate to have so many kind people in my circle who keep me grounded and have my best interests at heart. Without them I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.”
However, while he is hoping to add another success to his impressive bodybuilding career soon, his motivation has always been more than just sporting triumph, saying: “I choose to be a competitive bodybuilder, but my job is a teacher. I’m helping people on a daily basis to become a better version of themselves.”
He added: “I’ve got to be effective at time management because although bodybuilding as a profession is lovely, I’ve still got to make sure that I’m working because I’m a teacher. I’ve got to make sure that I am on top form all the time.”
As he takes a brief break away from his teaching, he is set to turn his attentions to his bodybuilding pursuits later this month, as he’ll travel with over 20 other Great British bodybuilders as they compete in the WNBF World Championships in Hollywood.
He said that he has always been keen to pass down his passion for bodybuilding to younger generations: “Now if I’m working on myself and I’m putting those methods into practice, then the students that I teach, if they can see Sir doing it, then there’s no chance why they can’t go and do the things that I’m doing and visit the places that I’m going to, because when they ask, ‘where’ve you been, Sir?’ I go, ‘I’ve been to Seattle, I’ve been to Rome, New York, I’m going to Los les.'” I love teaching; teaching is my passion. I love making a difference to other people around me; that’s what I’ve always been like for the last 20 years of competing.”
“Yes, it’s the very highest level, but what I’m proving here is that you can have a full-time high-level professional job, and you can hold down a competitive natural bodybuilding career.”
However, going back to what has been his motivation all along, he said: “If I can help anyone else in the process and inspire someone to get a little bit fitter and help people with their mindset and their physical capabilities, then that is me as a person. That’s why I continue to teach; that’s why I continue to be involved in education, because without education, without giving back to the local community, everything that I’m doing could be deemed as a little bit irrelevant.”
