\n<\/p>\n
\n Ben Lloyd, son of cricket<\/a> legend David \u2018Bumble\u2019 Lloyd, will travel to East Islip in New York to take on the world\u2019s best on November 16 after winning two British finals in the last two months.\n<\/p>\n \n And after being inspired to take up the sport in 2016, the 35-year-old has made a rapid progression which has seen him rise from an amateur to professional level.\n<\/p>\n \n Lloyd said: \u201cIt\u2019s a dream come true.It\u2019s the best bodybuilding competition in the world. It\u2019s the best of the best.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cI watched my first bodybuilding show in 2015, which was a BNBF (British Natural Bodybuilding Federation)northern qualifier in Manchester at the RNCM (Royal Northern College of Music)theatre.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cI never thought I\u2019d be good at it. It gave me confidence and I thought it would be beneficial to build up my training business<\/a>.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n The now BNBF member added: \u201cI set up a small gym in my mum\u2019s garage five years ago. I host one-to-one personal trainer sessions. It has a lot of space and I filled it with basic gym equipment.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n Within six months of competing in the sport, Lloyd was crowned 2017 world champion at the Drug-Free Athletic Coalition bodybuilding finals in Miami.\n<\/p>\n \n More recently in September and this month, he triumphed in the regional and national United Kingdom Drug Free Bodybuilding Association (UKDFBA) finals.\n<\/p>\n \n And now the ex-Blackburn College student will represent the UK at the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF) championships, with $50,000 going to the winner.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cI\u2019m really looking forward to representing the UKDFBA,\u201d Lloyd said. \u201cI\u2019m not expecting to win \u2013 I\u2019m going for the experience and I can\u2019t wait.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cI\u2019ll be in the pro heavyweight category. I\u2019ll weigh about 84kg. My diet, which is drug-free, officially started on January 23. It\u2019s been long and tough to stick to, as the constant hunger and lack of energy is hard.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n Gym devoted since he was 18, Lloyd suffered a back injury in 2011 whilst exercising and he was told by surgeons he would never train again.\n<\/p>\n \n But, the Physical Activity, Exercise and Health graduate went against advice and set up his own business \u2013 Ben Lloyd Fitness \u2013 in which he trains clients on a one-to-one basis in his garage gym in Accrington.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cI went to the gym and after doing a dead lift I felt something go in my back. I went to see the doctor and found out I had a slipped disk.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cI was told to never train again. But, after having an operation it was fixed and I decided to carry on. It does hold me back a little and I have to be careful.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n The former Lancashire League Cricket player and ex-Padiham and Rossendale<\/a> semi-professional footballer continued: \u201cI have also been doing some online coaching, where I help people with diet and training. I\u2019d eventually like to help prepare other bodybuilders that want to compete.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cMy dad knows a few bits to do with bodybuilding too. He used to be a client of mine and he had a little transformation, but he also likes a bite to eat and a drink too,\u201d Lloyd laughed.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n