My stage return in 2023 was fired by determination, built on desire to find out how much better I could be and what I could achieve.

My previous 7 years of competitive bodybuilding had brought some success notably as the NPA South West Champion in 2018 and subsequent British finals that year and again in 2021. However it was the standing in the shadows on many occasions and a 6th place that made me question my standard but yet still feeling there was more to give and I could be better than this.

It was time for a change in direction and so I reached out to Andrew Chappell at Proprep Coaching, and an awesome natural bodybuilder in his own right. The intention was to use a coach that would take me to the next level, guide me and allow that inner potential to blossom and truly see where I could take my physique.

The aims and objectives were simple, the goal was set to compete at a  Grandmasters show and place in the top 3 and to aspire to have a physique like my good friend and fellow competitor Lorne Brown. Bottom line the facts and the goals were simple and so the process and the training to get there was going to be so, it was the coaches guidance that I needed.

I had 18 months ahead, time to build and sculpt, learn and reach a potential I truly did believe I had but had never achieved. The feeling of watching from the wings, the feeling of not being good enough, knowing that there was more to give was the driver I needed to be the best I could be. Standing there on stage and saying to myself, yes I have done everything I could have possibly done and all boxes had been ticked.

The big thing for me was my age, those 52 years of resilience had to count for something regardless of the continued injuries that seemed to have plagued and disrupted previous training and preparation. Was this the final chance to give it a go, did I owe it to myself to try one last time before walking away and accepting that there was nothing more that I could have done. Time would give me that answer.

My desire to bring the best physique to the stage was all that was needed regardless of my age, I still had to do this, there was still something to be proud of here. In 2021 a week before the NPA Yorkshire show, an old back injury struck again and halted that stage return, this was now becoming an even bigger barrier for me. The continued doubt at the back of my mind, had me wondering how many more chances would I have and could coach Andy be the difference that was needed.

In October 2021 the discussions were had with Andy, the plans and visions were believed as Andy saw and heard the passion and above all else saw the potential that just needed to be harnessed.

Straight away the training started, the structure was put in place and the accountability intensified.

The diet would change, the volume of food, the increase in calories would happened too, to the point where I asked the question of how would I ever be able to eat that much food. Never in my years of training had I done this as Andy set the daily target of 3300 plus calories a day, I knew the focus was changing. This was the coaching process, slow and steady, plan and focus, grow, think big and think progress all the time. Andy had the plan and vision and within months I would be eating more than ever, training harder and lifting more weight than I had done in years and still injury free.

The next concept Andy brought in was the deload week. Every six weeks I would take a deload week where training would continue but with the volume of weight shifted in the gym being decrease by 50%. In truth something I knew about but had never implemented. Its was this deload process plus six months (yes six months) of daily cold water therapy outdoors in my oak barrel that became the game changer for me. I am 100% convinced this made the difference, reduced joint pain, improved mental wellbeing as my body was able to continue its recovery after those hard training sessions.

2022 passed with a minor shoulder injury, but nothing like previous years where my back injury would put me out of training for weeks. Slowly I moved into 2023, still having the daily ice baths but now with a mindset of somehow the body was stronger and up for the challenge ahead with show preparation that would test me once again.

Weekly posing was brought into the mix by Andy and now started to play a major role in my training plan. Gradually the improvements were clear to the both of us, the greater connection between muscle and mind, how the body moved and presented itself. If I was to reach my goals, showcase my physique then no stone would be left unturned as I just had to be my best in all areas, otherwise I would remain in the shadows.

For me in the past stage preparation and weight loss had never been the hardest thing to do, my physical make up has allowed me to lose body fat and bring a leanness that many would envy. My issue was bringing muscularity to the fold, this was what was holding me back.

The plan was now set, 1st April 2023, the diet phase for stage return would begin, and with the energised excitement my training would be complemented by my nutritional approach. Previous years showed that I dropped my calories too low at around 1600, however Andy had a different approach keeping the calories higher at 2000 and see how the body responded as fat melted away.

On our weekly check ins Andy would hammer home 2000 calories, not 1950 or 1980 but 2000 and as close as possible. It was all about maintaining my muscle mass as the body fat was stripped away. That’s what this whole new approach was about, getting on stage as lean as possible with as much muscle mass as possible too.

So with definitive structure, high protein, carbohydrates set and quality fats it started to happen, the body weight started to drop from preseason weigh in of 73.4kg.

Over the following weeks and months the body weight dropped, 1 pound a week was a constant occurrence as the 2000 calorie set point was maintained. Batch cooking, planning and prep, morning cardio on the spin bike was all part of the formula to support the process as the injuries were staying away too. In my mind I knew it was still early days and at some point my body would put the brakes on, weight loss would stop, hunger would strike as the body became tired as the energy levels started to plummet.

To my surprise the weight loss continued, week on week, the plateau never came as the 2000 seemed to be keeping me fuelled and telling me that my body was getting more than enough. Energy and strength levels were steady and not leaving me in the crashed state of previous years, the extra few hundred calories were making the difference beyond comprehension. Both physically and mentally I was as strong as ever, the continued drive to push on was lighting the fire more than ever.

The summer past, the coaching continued, train, eat, walk, sleep and repeat. It all became one process, that daily routine of ticking the days off as I approached my first show, the UKDFBA Southern qualifier in Camberley. The body was feeling physically great, the body fat was low, posing had been practiced consistently but at the back on my mind there was a niggle. The fear of previous back injuries coming out to play at the last moment, a very real fear making me nervous after all the prep and training I had done I could not let my injuries stop me days before like previous years.

Show day, 3rd September arrived, the final week of prep or peak week as we call it had been done, I felt strong and in the best shape of my life. The body and mind were ready, energy levels were awesome as I stepped on stage in my over 50’s Grandmaster class. Having made the journey with two of my best mates Al and Rob, had managed to settle the nerves greatly and under the bright lights of the stage I could hear my name and the words of encouragement that came with it.

With posing and routine done my name was called out, 2nd place to Daz Stephens. To say I was elated would be an understatement and to share it with friends too was awesome. For sure I was a little rusty on stage, my posing wasn’t as smooth and there was clearly room for improvement. Placing second gave me a qualifying place at the UKDFBA British and International finals, which in my eyes was a must do to compete with the best and gain further experience.

This now meant that I was planning to do back to back shows in October, namely the NPA British Open on the 3rd October and the UKDFBA finals on the 8th.

After discussions with my coach the decision was made and this opportunity could not be missed and so show number four was on the cards. Andy was super pleased with my result as subsequent photos from the UKDFBA showed great condition and stage presence that I was extremely proud of. This is where Andy and his bodybuilding experience would be in valuable to me, and nailing the preparation and peak week for back to back shows was now the challenge.

To those that know, peak week is a real test of focus and willpower as you are already drained on your reduced calorie intake, 15000 steps plus a day and continued gym sessions were tested as now I had to plan right down to the hour for that gram of protein and carbs to fuel a tired body.

Having said that, the buzz of competing, stepping on stage, and pushing for a potential you never knew you had was the driver to go again, train harder and stay the course through periods of hunger that would drive most of us insane.

October 3rd now started to get closer and show number two. The NPA British Open in Coventry was up next and once again my best bodybuilding brother Steve Humphries was back at my side as we travelled up together. The NPA has been my go to Federation for many years of competing, that lifetime natural approach to bodybuilding was me to the core.

On the day the line up of the over 50’s was immense, great friends Lorne Brown and Ian Stevenson would be sharing the stage with me. Guys I totally respected, who would bring amazing condition and size to the stage and to stand toe to toe with them I would have to be at my best. The result 4th place, beating close rivals to cement my achievement on the natural stage walking away with immense pride. The process and gains were working in accordance with Andy’s plans.

There was no time rest from this success as within the week the UKDFBA British and International finals would take place in Leicester. Once again a one week turnaround was new territory and with my coaches guidance we continued the preparation for show number three.

Show day came and it was great to catch up with and compete with Lorne once again as our new found bodybuilding friendship continued to grow. An amazing show was had with world class athletes and even though I did not place on the day just to stand next to world champions was an awesome learning experience and cemented my confidence that I was no longer there just to stand in the shadows.

With show number three done, I returned home with tired energy to get ready for the WNBF Supernaturals in Birmingham on the 22nd October. This again was new ground for me, a new federation, new venue and processes to be ready for show day. With tickets sold out within a day I had to make the journey on my own. With the hustle and bustle of Birmingham city centre, registration, tanning and final prep was all done ready for an early start on the Sunday morning as the grand master class was the first group up on stage and so I had to be in the zone right from the go.

I felt confident and ready, and after catching up with Andy in person for a posing and condition check in I was in a great place. All those months of hard work, hours of training and meal preparation complete the day was here. I remember walking to the show venue through Birmingham city centre all tanned up saying to myself just go out there be awesome and enjoy- you’ve got this. These are the moments that make us feel alive, remind ourselves why we do this and to push for the unexpected because until you do so you will never know.

Looking back the moments before stepping on stage were a blur, maybe more nerves than usual as here and now was in a way the showpiece that Andy and I had worked so hard towards for nearly two years. How would I fair with a different federation, would I match the standards needed and get the thumbs up from the judges. As I stood on stage I felt good, a roaring audience in a packed venue, bright lights shone as the stage floor was cold under my feet.

From the word go I was in the zone, remembering to squeeze the legs, set the body and move with deliberate motion to make an impact. This was to be my final show and so I had to give everything I had as I hit those standard poses. Double bicep to the front, hit. Side chest, hit. Smooth turns to show back lat spread, double bicep all the time keeping the focus to squeeze every muscle fibre in my body as the energy flowed. My 60 seconds routine to music came and went with hours of practice giving me that flawless routine as I held each pose under the bright lights. The work was done.

I took third place, once again beating close rivals to cement my success and hard work, a feeling of total elation and pride was bursting inside. Andy informed me that placing within the top three would earn an invite to the WNBF World Championships in Seattle. If this was to be the case then wow what a season I was having, a stage return that was blowing away all expectations.

Sometimes there are those conversations in life that stick with you. After leaving the stage and heading back into the main venue I bumped into Steve Howarth, an absolute legend of Masters natural bodybuilding and WNBF judge that day.

The feedback was truly inspiring, Daz you brought superb conditioning with great posing and made placings very close.

I was no longer standing in the shadows.

Days later the email arrived, Daz you are invited to be a part of the WNBF GB team and compete on at the World Championships……….in Seattle.