CJ Scally - pictured after his recent win in Dublin - is launching a career as a personal trainer

Mullingar man cj takes mr ireland gold medal

A Mullingar man was the winner of a gold medal in the Athletic category at the recent NIFMA Mr and Miss Ireland Fitness Model Championships, held in Dublin's ALSAA Sport-Fitness-Social Centre.

CJ Scally, originally from Auburn Village and now living in Deravarra Park, competed in what was only his second contest after his debut in Naas. And while he was unsuccessful on that occasion, he maintained a positive and determined attitude to win big on November 8.

The gold medal is the latest step on a fitness journey for CJ, who lost six stone in weight over the last few years after getting "fed up" with his unhealthy lifestyle.

Training and lifting regularly at the Mullingar Shamrocks gym in Springfield, Mullingar - "a fantastic gym with brilliant equipment" - and maintaining a well structured diet, CJ not only lost the pounds, but developed a serious physique.

"I decided then that I wanted to become a personal trainer and nutritionist, and I wanted the best qualification I could get," said CJ, who is a graduate of University of Limerick, where he completed a FETAC Level 6 personal fitness course.

"In the new year, I hope to help others to achieve their goals, whether it's toning up, gaining strength or losing a bit of body fat. I'll be doing four and eight week transformation programmes."