I was a 12-year-old bodybuilder who won Mini Mr Olympia - I once enjoyed the rush but now I’ve left it behind

A FORMER Mini Mr Olympia has revealed how he left the bodybuilding life behind him.

Vince Poppleton from Omaha, Nebraska, was just 12 when he claimed the national title in California, 2014.

The youngster hit the headlines with his achievement at the time, having been helped on his journey by his proud dad Bill.

Poppelton told KETV at the time: “I want to look as muscular as possible.

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"I was just eating chicken and asparagus because that’s what bodybuilders do.”

He added: "I like the results you get when you work out.

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“I like the feeling of being on stage, like that adrenaline rush and how I look."

Now, eight years later, his workout regime is a little less regimented.

According to his LinkedIn profile, he is now a mechanical engineering student at Grand Canyon University.

It seems he is thriving in the academic world as well, writing: “I have studied prototyping and mechanical design and have earned an associate-level certification in mechanical design through SolidWorks (CSWA).

“Along with this, I have learned many other skills on a fundamental level such as programming (MATLAB and C++), soldering, and machining.”

It seems he now has a passion for golf as well.

His profile says he was worked the past two summers in golf course maintenance at the Omaha Country Club.

He still appears to be keeping active with photos posted to his Instagram account showing him going skiing, surfing and hiking in the stunning Colorado landscape.