The world’s strongest boy who became “addicted” to bodybuilding after he started lifting weights when he was just 11 years old, looks unrecognizable today.
Jake Schellenschlager, now 22, set world records for his weight class in 2014 after dedicating himself to training, and he still lifts three times a day.
He started bodybuilding at the age of 11 when he saw his father lifting weights in the garage.
Jake, from Maryland, said he immediately began lifting weights for two hours every day, soon becoming “addicted” after seeing the results.
Instead of playing video games like other kids his age, he vowed to become the strongest kid in the world.
And when he was only 14 years old, he could deadlift 300 pounds.
He broke the world record for squats for his age and weight at the Powerlifting Bench Press Championships in York, Pennsylvania.
It was his dream to continue competing and setting records in his weight class.
He told The Sun Online: “Being a kid bodybuilder was such a cool feeling. I spent so much time in my younger years watching my cousin Joshua, my brothers and my dad lift at our house growing up.
“I had all the game systems there if I wanted to play, but that’s not what I wanted to do, I was constantly bored watching them train.
“I wanted to do the same, so one day I started lifting weights. When I was 11 years old, I was watching my dad lift weights and I couldn’t watch anymore, I had to do it.”
“That day, my father and I knew that my future was going to be bright lifting weights.”
He added: “There was no pressure at all, it was something I wanted to do.
“I could have been playing video games or hanging out with my friends, but I decided I wanted to become the strongest kid in the world.”
Today, Jake said he’s still lifting up to three times a day, and he’s training even harder than before.
He said, “I am stronger and heavier than before. I plan to compete this year 2022 in both bodybuilding and powerlifting.”
“Being an IFBB pro in bodybuilding has always been my dream goal and then I got into powerlifting with the help of my trainer Mike Sarni.
“It was always back and forth with me, I could never decide what I wanted to move forward with, bodybuilding or powerlifting, so I trained in both. I’ve built up a lot of experience competing in both over the years.”
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Jake added: “Competing in professional bodybuilding has always been my dream, but I always love setting world records and making history.”
The 22-year-old, who frequently posts photos of his fitness progress for his nearly 3,000 followers, said he wanted to change the perception of young kids lifting weights.
“It’s hard for a kid to commit to exercise every day because it’s something you have to dedicate yourself to.
“I was always ahead of my time. I feel like I wanted to be the one to show kids all over the world that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.”
As a teenager, Jake’s trainer Mike praised his mental strength.
Mike told the Washington Post, “He doesn’t feel like he can be beaten. It’s that inner strength that says, ‘I can do this.'”
“Usually that only happens in older, more mature people.”
Jake’s father, Chris, added: “Some don’t think it’s a good thing for kids to lift weights too soon.
“But Jake never complains of pain or soreness, and he gets regular check-ups.”
He added: “You don’t want your kid sitting on a couch and playing video games.”
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