A local man took home the title of "Mr. California" at a state bodybuilding championship last month.
Austen Asbury took first place in his division and overall at the NPC California State Bodybuilding, Figure, Physique, and Bikini Championships on May 26, 2018.
Asbury competed in the division, "Open Bodybuilding Heavy Weight over 198.25 lbs to 225.25 lbs." After taking the win there, he was entered into the "Unlimited Bodybuilding Overall" category and took first there too, giving him the title of Mr. California.
His success isn't something that was expected just two years ago, when he says he got "burnt out" on bodybuilding and fell out of practice for 8 months.
"I felt like I wasn't good enough at bodybuilding to take that and do something with it," Asbury said inside Bakersfield Sports Nutrition where he works.
He got back into after he began having a different outlook.
"I learned to not take things for granted and not give up on things I actually enjoy doing."
After the win at the state level, the 22-year-old can now qualify for national competitions, but says he's going to wait and prepare for the 2019 competition instead, when he will try to become Mr. USA. After winning there, he can also get is "pro card," certifying him as a professional bodybuilder.
If you'd like to follow Asbury's journey, you can do so on his Instagram page: Mr_Asbury.
