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.
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"I felt lonely and unwanted by society, until I started going to the gym. Every day I got up and went to the gym felt like such an escape from reality for me, which I really needed at the time especially.
"I decided to start up my own Instagram live series, where I interview world champion strongmen and powerlifters, talking to them about the sport and their careers and achievements.
"Aged 16, I competed at the Gymshark British Championships for the first time ever, and I've competed in strongman competitions as well as powerlifting competitions 10 times now", he said.
Oliver's next milestone is the English Championships in Manchester, and he also wanted to say thank you to his coaches and mentors for all of the support that they have given him.
"I would like to thank my mentors Fred Mackenzie and Jim McGill who have given me so much support, and took me in when no other club made me feel welcome in the same way.
"I've just started my level 3 personal training diploma and I am already a qualified powerlifting coach. I want to let people know that I'm here and I want to show them that you can never let anyone or anything stop you from achieving your dreams."
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