Man ‘ beats the school bullies’ to become top bodybuilder and fitness coach
Ben now helps people from all walks of life who share a common goal of being healthy
AGLASGOW man who was tormented by school bullies over his weight has transformed his life to become a top bodybuilder and fitness coach.
Ben Yeezus was subjected to cruel taunts over his “skinny” frame which shattered his self- esteem and stripped him of his confidence.
But after discovering a passion for fitness, Ben has gone on to compete in nationwide competitions and devotes his life to helping others achieve their life goals and dream look.
Ben, 42, exclusively told the Glasgow Times: “School wasn’t easy and I had to put up with a lot of nasty comment about my weight and build.
“I was always naturally very slim with next to no muscle, but as a teen when you continuously hear horrible things about yourself, you start to believe them.
“I’d hear comments like ‘ you’re so thin you could fall down a drain’ and they really affected me.
“I’d try to brush them off, but they became hard to ignore. School was like being under a magnifying glass and the whole experience made me very self- conscious.
“I had no self- belief and became paranoid about being so skinny. I knew I couldn’t allow these bullies to define me or the life I wanted to build so I decided to make positive changes.
“As I got older, I realised I wanted to change my body, not to stop the jibes or to fit the mould of how other people thought I should look, but for me.”
Ben, who grew up in Dennistoun, joined a local gym and discovered a passion for health and nutrition.
He soon started to bulk up and was encouraged to take part in his first bodybuilding competition by his coach.
He explains: “Although I was skinny and under 10 stone, I wasn’t very healthy.
“I didn’t know anything about the right foods to fuel my body or gaining muscle, but I was determined to stick with it.
“As soon as I stepped into the gym I was made to feel welcome, like part of a team and it wasn’t long before I began to see results.
“While I was training, I was able to enjoy pasta, potatoes, chocolate, and I’d still have a takeaway every Friday night because I was burning off those extra calories in the gym.
“It’s all about balance and not depriving yourself, otherwise you’re setting yourself up for failure.
“People are always surprised when I say this because they think bodybuilding and muscle definition comes from sticking to a very strict diet, but that’s simply not true.
“My motto is everything in moderation. If you’re working hard and sticking to a training plan during the week then you can enjoy your weekend.
“For my first men’s physique competition in 2014, I reached 16st 9lbs and although I was in peak condition, I felt incredibly nervous on stage and realised what those years of bullying had done to me.
“It has taken time to grow my confidence and forget about the nasty comments from my teenage
I knew I couldn’t allow these bullies to define me or the life I wanted to build
years – it took a while before I was able to enjoy it and settle my nerves.”
Ben, who now lives in Stepps, was approached to start coaching people who struggled with weight loss
and set up Yeezus Crew. His fitness and nutrition plan has helped dozens of clients lose weight and look and feel their best.
They range from postpartum mums to people in their 60s keen to improve their wellbeing. Ben, who is a certified nutritionist, added: “My clients come from all walks of life, but they all share one common goal and that’s to lead a healthy and active life.
“I’ll develop a nutrition and exercise plan that’s specifically tailored to the individual. What’s great is that we’ve built up a community where we all support each other.
“I’ve helped a client to lose upwards of five stone after he developed a fatty liver because he was eating so much processed foods.
“Through exercise and learning about the right nutrition, he no longer has any medical problems.
“It’s about changing your bad habits and I always encourage people not to put too much focus on the scales.
“If you feel good and look good, then what does it matter if the dial has gone up by a pound or two? I know exactly how my clients feel too because of my own struggles.
“When people start working with me, they are always surprised at how easy it is to get results.
“It’s not a quick fix though, and consistency is key, but I always say that good food and regular exercise is the best investment you will ever make.”
For more information you can email benyeezus@ gmail. com or visit Yeezus Crew on Facebook.