A 17-year-old Ashington lad with autism is now competing in the British Powerlifting Championships, after he started to go to the gym as a form of escape for him.
Oliver Whalley, who was diagnosed with autism aged 13, is now an IPF British Powerlifter, competing as a ranked athlete on the UK scene. Oliver struggled to fit in at sports clubs growing up, with his dad helping him get into the gym and training.
The next couple of years were difficult for him, as he had both depression and anxiety, and decided to take his GCSE's early aged 15. Oliver has spoken about how important going to the gym is to him, and how he was able to build a following for himself on social media.
