Not your typical youth pastor

Allan Laumatia is not a typical pastor.

He goes to church, attends youth camps and dedicates his time to a group of teens who need some direction in their lives.

But that is where the similarities end as this pastor is also a body building champion.

Laumatia, 23, will represent New Zealand in the Natural Olympia Junior Division bodybuilding event in California, USA in November.

The Pakuranga local says he now has the body he aimed for all those years ago.

“I feel like I have achieved what I wanted to look like when I was 14-years-old,” he says.

“I envisioned a body I’ve always wanted.  It took about eight years to get there but when I finally got there it was an achievement for myself.

“Now I have to think bigger and dream bigger.”

Natural Olympia is an annual event, open to natural and drug-free athletes from around the world.

Laumatia, who studies English and new media at AUT, goes to the gym five to six times a week and eats seven meals a day.

His diet consists of high protein foods including steak, chicken, tuna, kumara, oats and rice cakes.

Since competing and taking second place in his first body building tournament at 19, the disciplined athlete has won several titles.

He came first in the 2011 National Amateur Bodybuilding Association (NABBA) Nationals Junior Men event and in 2012, he also took top place in the NABBA Auckland, Asia Pacific and North Harbour junior men’s competitions.

More recently, he scooped first place at the Junior Men International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA) Natural Classic Championships in Taupo, earning him his place in the Natural Olympia competition.

“It hasn’t kicked in yet,” he says.

“I think I’ll feel nervous when I start to actually prepare, dropping my carbs and eating clean, really clean.”

For anyone thinking of bodybuilding, the self-proclaimed “lifetime natural body builder” has some advice.

“Have a clear view of what you want to look like and make sure you can reach it.

“Eventually you will get there, it just takes patience.”

Natural Olympia is held between November 7-10.

See naturalbodybuilding.com for more information about the event.