Ian Duckett is truly a pioneer of Natural Bodybuilding here in the UK.

Many years ago I stumbled across one of his books, Short and Sharp II in a fitness equipment shop in Barnsley and that was the first time I had heard of Drug Free Bodybuilding . It really appealed to me as I had admired physique stars such as Bob Paris, Frank Zane and Francis Benfatto for years but was not willing to take steroids to achieve my dream physique.

A couple of years later I met Ian at his studio in Morley, Leeds and was amazed how normal he looked in real life compared to his physique photos. Ian competes at probably around 10 stone but packs plenty of muscle onto his small frame.

Over the years we have become close friends and Ian has also been mentoring me in my own competing. I have also signed up to his Train to Train team and I am already reaping the benefits in my own Personal Training business, www.absolution.uk.com

I caught up with Ian at Average to Athletes in Batley, West Yorkshire for a chat.

• Ian, thanks for taking time to talk to me today. I know it is your day off work. Can you just give us a brief insight into your history working in the fitness industry?

Hi John, thank you for the kind words. Wow- I have been involved in the gym business since I was 15 years old, I was 42 this year. By the time I was 19, I was managing a gym of a substantial membership and by the time I was 25, I owned and ran Future Bodies Gym here in Leeds. This was one of the best real gyms in the country and was the 10,000 square feet home to some of Britain's best bodybuilders and figure girls. We had regular visits from the likes of- Nigel Davis- World Champion- Andy Palmer- World Champion- Cheryl Green- World Champion- Even the likes of Nell McCandrews trained a few times up there. I can say, in all honesty, that anybody who was, or is now somebody in the Natural circles, had a workout in that place. This was in the days before the advent of many of the large gym chains like now. In-fact many opened up in competition around me, it just made me be better at what I do.

After moving from your gym business, Future Bodies into Personal Training, how has this affected your life?

Even when I had Future Bodies I personal trained a few clients, I have personal trained in one form or another for around 20 years.

Coming out of the gym business allowed me to reduce the amount of hours I worked in a week and work with people who are a lot more dedicated.

My bodyindesign business works now like a Swiss watch and is the sum of years of trial and error and study, not only training and nutrition but business also.

I must have read over a thousand books over the years and trained thousands of clients. I love my life and love what I do.  

I have seen first hand your passion for helping others achieve their physique goals as you have been instrumental in my own success. What motivates you to help others and who did you find to help you in the early days?

I love the thought that in some way--helping people achieve their goals- that you live forever.

If you help a person change their lives, they will never forget you. When you become such a part that persons life that, you make that persons life so much better by showing them how good they can look and feel. Along with this comes a confidence that affects other parts of their lives and those around them. As the years roll by, one of my books will be found in an attic by one of my clients grandchildren and there will be a few words spoken about that time in their lives in which I was involved.

That gives me the chills. I am proud of each and every one of my clients and I am humbled that the person they choose to help them was me.

In the early days I gained all the motivation I needed from books. Influence came in the form of Arnold, Lee Labrada, Skip Lacour, Anthony Robbins, Og Mandino and Larry Wignet to name the most notable.    

Just give us a quick list of your competitive clients and their achievements.

There are so many I don't want to leave anyone out, here goes.

Jenny Garside-4 time British Figure and world Champion. Claire Cotter-British figure Champion. Debbie Scholefield- Yorkshire Figure and 3 in the British. Karen Wriggles- Mike Williams Classic Figure winner. Wayne Braddock- Novice British Winner. Michelle Clift- Mike Williams Classic Figure winner and British 3 rd place three times. Many others too numerous to mention from having a hand in a diet or just posing advice.    

Do you know when you first meet a new client if they have what it takes to succeed and what is it?

It is hard to tell on the first meeting of a prospective client, as some will talk like they are going to take on the world while others say very little. When I lay out a plan for them I let actions tell me if they are going to step up to the mark or not.

Having said that I have seen a person change from a lazy slob into someone with an amazing figure and change their lives completely around.

Moving away from Bodybuilding for a moment, what sort of things do you do for fun other than exercise?

Sword fights with my son Louis, although that is exercise too. I love movies and have to read every day, if I am not working I am reading. I also love to draw and it is something that comes easy to me.

Molly my daughter is also very artistic and spends hours making things.

• I know from reading Short and Sharp II how import the birth of your children was. What are their names and ages and how did it make you feel when they were born?

I can remember the times, weights and what the weather was like those days, what song was on the radio on the way home everything.

Molly turned 9 this year and Louis 6. They are great kids and having them is like living again through their eyes.

  Your wife Louise has been a big support to you through your life. Is she pleased you have finally decided to hang up your posing trunks?

Louise is very supportive and has never said too much about competing. I have done so since I was 16 years old. It does take its toll on family life, as to win these day's you have to be 100% focused. I felt this year there was more in me and there was I feel satisfied now, I have to move on.   

• Other than your family, who else has supported you over the years and been of influence in your career on stage and off?

My influences have been people like Lee Labrada, Skip Lacour, Arthur Jones and Mike Davis. These people are absolute professionals and I have tried to conduct myself like them. I have had some awesome training partners over the years that have all been a part of every win and goal. To name a few, Jon Torn, Ian Cooper, Phil Guy, these last few years there has been Paul Twig, Andrew Barber and Chris McHugh, a great crew of hard working caring friends.

One of my best friends and somebody who has always been behind any project I undertook is Gary Barlow. Gary is the man behind all the book covers and lay outs, we worked together on many projects, Natural Press for one and the web site is all Gary's work.

Another person always in my corner is Mike Philips from the NPA, he has always believed in me.

Many others have been there for me, they know who they are. I thank each and every one of you, as nobody makes it alone.    

When you finish each competition, what is the first food you go for?

When I won the NPA Pro am I got home in the early hours of the morning empted a whole box of cornflakes into a huge bowl, poured on two pints of milk, sat outside in the garden and tucked in.

I just looked up at the night sky and reflected on the day and the years of work up to that point.

It's funny about cornflakes; I never eat them at any other time only after a show. It's as if my body tells me I need something out of them, maybe the iron in them.

If you had to take 3 things onto a desert island with you what would they be and why?

I would have to say a set of weight for obvious reasons, a big box full of books and an ipod with everlasting batteries. I think I would be covered with those. Funny thing that is something I would love to do, as a kid I was real into the survival thing and I know I would and could survive.  

• If you got the chance to appear on Jim'll fix it, what would you ask Jim to Fix?

I would have loved for him to fix it that I spend a day with the late Arthur Jones, he was a brilliant man who made millions, lost it all made it again and changed the whole way we look at exercise and gym equipment. In fact I believe that he was the pioneer for Personal Training as he started that way back in the seventies.

When you train, what sort of music do you listen too?

I like to train to rock music, heavy metal, but not over heavy, Skin, Thunder, Creed, Audio Slave are my favourites. Those songs have been played to many a hard workout and conjure up emotions in me that will make my heart beat faster visualise the workout.

• Ok, say you had to spend 3 weeks in the jungle and you could take 5 people with you (not your family), who would you choose and why?

I take by this you are along the lines of- I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here-Number one would be Gordon Ramsey, he would be great for cooking and to learn business from, also he would shout and swear at everybody and make me laugh. Number two would be Duncan Bannantyne, for learning about the fitness industry. Number three would be Jennifer Aniston as I feel if she got to know me she would fancy me ha ha. Number four would be Paul Twig my good friend who is always in my corner. Last but not least Louise's Dad- Martyn as he can turn his hand to anything and can talk and get along with everybody.  

• Back to bodybuilding, as an old timer in the game, if you could, how would you improve the drug testing procedures to eliminate the cheats entering natural shows?

I think the NPA are doing all they can do. I think it is unethical to enter a natural show when having took drugs at the time or in the past. But that is me and its life that some have different ethics. I could never look in the mirror knowing I had cheated. I think the NPA is awesome and they do their absolute best to give everyone a level playing field.  

If you hadn't chosen Bodybuilding, what other sports could you have excelled at?

It would definitely be Power Lifting; I did some meets over last few years and did very good real quick. In seven meets I won six and placed 2 nd in the British with no support gear, so for a start I was at a disadvantage.

If I hadn't have gone into bodybuilding I would have done athletics as I was good at them in School I had the shot put record, javelin and the fifteen hundred meters.   

• As fitness is your life, you have started your new venture, Train to Train helping others such as me be successful by learning from your experiences. Just give us an insight to your inspiration for this programme and what it entails?

I have spent many years helping people in this line of business and it occurred to me one day that there is a market for it. I see lots of personal trainers out there working and not making any money. They pass course after course but have no idea how to run their business, I turn knowledge into income. Any mistakes there has been to make in this business I have made, if there has been money to lose I have lost thousands, but I have learned and I am now very successful at this business. What I essentially do is mentor the Train to Train client I become there business model, a franchise if you will. This way I can help them build their business and make real money.

I have been overwhelmed with the response and already I am helping clients turn their lives around. I feel awesome when they tell me how busy they now are and how healthy their bank account is.

Like any business there are rules you must follow and we are in a service industry, I lay out those rules and help you put them into practice. Number one rule is you have to walk the talk and actually work.

• Where do you see www.bodyindesign.co.uk in 5 years?  

In five years I see the bodyindesign banner covering many awesome trainers. It will be the number one resource for a professional trainer. I see myself helping these trainers and making a fantastic living along with them. I will be conducting more seminars and training camps and will have published a few more books. I love what I do and have a lot more goals I want to achieve related to this part of my life.

• Finally, in the style of a limerick, summarise your life/career to date.

Chase a goal, achieve a goal, set another, love life sleep-not.

Thank you Ian. Good luck in your competitive retirement (although I am not convinced it is the last we'll see of you) and let's hope 2008 brings you and your team (including me) all that you deserve.

John Heaton