Love Island star Michael Griffiths hasn't only sacrificed calories in a bid to pursue his bodybuilding ambitions, but some of his friendships as well.
The Liverpudlian was on the 2019 series of the hit ITV2 show, but has since turned his attention to competing and arguably looks unrecognisable from how he did three years ago.
The first time Michael competed in a bodybuilding competition was 2018 after his mate asked to do it "on a whim", but the 30 year old now dedicates almost all his time to the profession.
Most recently, Michael won his last show at the British finals and was awarded an International Federation of BodyBuilders (IFBB) Pro Card as a result, meaning the former fireman can now only compete in professional competitions.
While his bodybuilding is going better than ever, it hasn't come without its hardships – including Michael losing friends.
“My good friends and my family understand that [I’m focusing on my training]," he told OK!. "I’ve said this to a few people before, when you’re doing things like prepping for shows, you’ll start losing some friends who don’t actually understand and don’t see your vision.
"The friends that will constantly ask you to do things but don’t understand will then soon stop contacting you full stop, and you’ll be like ‘so, what was our friendship?’. I understand that I’m doing this and it’s quite selfish of me, but I’m working towards a goal. We’re still friends and we can still talk, but because I’m not going out for a drink doesn’t mean I can’t come and see you, or you can't see me.”
When Michael's at his heaviest of around 90kg, which he says is when he's "at his most comfortable", he consumes as much as 3,500 calories a day. Then, when he cuts back, this gradually drops to 1,850 calories.
While his ambition and determination to succeed at bodybuilding has lost him some friends, one friend that's stood by his side is fellow Love Islander and housemate Chris Taylor.
“Chris has been fantastic and he’s helped me a lot," Michael told us. "There was a small period during the last three weeks of prep where my head fell off, and he basically just helped me put it back on my shoulders. He was very supportive.”
Another pal who has been extremely supportive is Ashley Cain.
He said of the Celebrity SAS star: "Ash knows that when I’m doing these things, he knows what kind of sacrifices I’ve made and he gives you all the motivational things that you need."
Michael continued: "What happened with his daughter is terrible and we’ve spoken about that. The strength that he has inspires me. To be able to keep going and help so many other people as well.
“He reached out to me when I was coming to the end of my prep saying ‘you’re absolutely smashing it’, and told me to keep my head down and ‘don’t let any negativity get into your thoughts’, and stuff like that, and it’s just very uplifting.”
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