Scrum-half Lewis reveals inspiration as she keeps it in family
WALES scrum-half Ffion Lewis has revealed how she’s been inspired by the achievements of her superstar brother who rubs shoulders with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Hulk Hogan.
Bodybuilder James ‘Flex’ Lewis eclipsed Schwarzenegger’s six consecutive Mr Olympic titles when he made it seven in a row in Las Vegas earlier this year.
The 34-year-old is a huge name in the United States but hasn’t forgotten his Welsh roots, naming his elite gym in Florida, Dragons Lair, and returning to his parents home in Llanelli every Christmas.
His sister Ffion makes her full Wales rugby debut when Rowland Phillips’ charges clash with Hong Kong in a women’s international at Cardiff Arms Park tomorrow night.
And the 21-year-old Scarlets player lifted the lid on how her brother is feted in America and how he really got his nickname ‘Flex.’
“Most people think it’s through bodybuilding but it came from when he played rugby,” revealed Ffion.
“Somebody started calling him ‘Flex’ because he was so flexible and would just dart between opposition players.”
Ffion said Flex was in the Llanelli RFC Academy before a serious shoulder injury resulted in him discovering a love for bodybuilding.
“Flex has achieved so much because he has worked so hard for it. Our parents installed in me and three brothers that everything comes through hard work,” she explained.
“He has been an inspiration, a help and a motivation for me. Flex has been in the public eye for quite a long time and understands the pressure of sport, that you must focus on the end goal.
“He got told he could never make it, and he’s learned to prove people wrong. I was told I wasn’t good enough, and I wanted to prove people wrong, I’m lucky to have such a supportive family.”
Ffion visited Flex last year and found he was big news in the States.
“My mother wouldn’t allow me to go until I was 21,” she quipped. “It was a different world out there, crazy and just amazing with all the attention he gets.
“He had a dream and has lived there since he was 18 because it’s the place to be for bodybuilding.
“Flex is so down to earth, a real home-bird and a very proud Welshman who hasn’t lost his Welsh accent. He comes home every Christmas and still has to be first down the stairs on Christmas Day!
“To match and better Arnold Schwarzenegger’s achievement was incredible. Arnold presented Flex with the trophy when he set the record.
“When Arnold asked him how he did it, Flex joked: ‘Because I read your encyclopedia of bodybuilding.’
“Arnold has been a massive motivation for him. When Flex was young he used to hide Arnold’s books under his bed from our mother.”
Flex won’t be there to see Ffion make her first start for Wales because of his bodybuilding commitments.
■ New Zealand will host Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 after World Rugby awarded the hosting rights for the tournament to NZRFU. It will be the first Women’s Rugby World Cup in the Southern Hemisphere.