DRINKING blended tuna and moving 14st tyres may not be everyone's idea of a healthy living regime.
But strongman hopeful Wayne Stephenson has to work hard at his craft.
The Hull plumber is in training for Britain's Strongest Natural Man – which means a life dedicated to weightlifting and fitness.
At 5ft 11ins and 21st, Wayne is a force to be reckoned with.
He easily lifts his children, and heavy weights, above his head like they were feathers.
"It's very tiring, which is why I have to have between 6,000 and 8,000 calories a day," he said.
"Breakfast is usually protein, oats and complex carbs.
"Throughout the day I'll have snacks like flapjacks.
"As soon as I get in I have protein oats in water – one shake is about 1,000 calories.
"Meals are pasta and steaks. Then if I'm still trying to put weight on I've have another shake.
"Sometimes I'll have tuna blended in a pint of water – it's quite hard to keep eating all the time so it is easier to drink it.
"It actually isn't as bad as you think."
Wayne, 29, who works for Dyno-Rod, first started competing in strongman events when a friend at the gym suggested it.
The father-of-three said: "I started training about seven years ago, at first just doing a bit of cardio to get fit.
"But then I started doing weights at the gym and people were saying I should look into strongman events.
"At my first competition I came seventh out of about 40 people and that was before I'd really trained properly."
Wayne, who is father to Grace, five, Cameron, two, and ten-month-old George, has travelled across the world for his sport, competing in Hungary and Sweden, as well as the UK.
He said: "I was invited to do some demonstrations as part of the Olympics last year.
"We did this show in Thorpe Park so people could see what we do.
"I'd love to see strongman competitions as a recognised Olympics sport."
Wayne has qualified for the Britain's Strongest Natural Man, which is expected to take place around September time.
Among some of Wayne's favourite events in the competition are the Atlas stones and the farmers' walk.
In Atlas stones, athletes are required to lift stone boulders on to platforms of varying heights. The farmers' walk involves running with heavy objects.
Wayne said: "I compete in the open weight category so some of the people I'm up against are 30st.
"Some of the other categories have specific weights you have to be, which must be very hard to maintain.
"But in mine I can eat as much as I want."
Despite his intimidating build, Wayne admits he does get apprehensive before a big contest.
Wayne, whose girlfriend Charlotte Edwards cheers him on, said: "I do get nervous before the start, but after the first event I'm OK.
"Big competitions get big crowds in who are all really into it.
"But the atmosphere is really good – everyone helps each other out.
"If one of the competitors has forgotten something, another competitor will loan them it.
"They're all really friendly.
"I've got a few friends who compete as well and a couple of them have done the Britains."
