Bony to beastly: Cornwall’s Joey Berry muscles his way to the top

Bony to beastly: Cornwall’s Joey Berry muscles his way to the top
Joey Berry

CORNWALL, Ontario – Now that he’s achieved his dream of becoming ‘Mr. Junior Natural Canada’ – Joey Berry has his sights set on the international arena.

The 23-year-old ANS Performance sponsored athlete dominated at the Canadian Bodybuilding Federation (CBBF) 2015 Natural Canadian Championships – IFBB World Qualifier in Toronto, Ont., on August 22.

Berry took top spots in Juniors and Men’s Classic, as well as second place in Men’s Middleweight.

“The sacrifices, extreme work ethic, dieting, training, and everything I’ve done leading up to this show have definitely paid off,” said Berry.

His next goal is to compete in the IFBB World Championships to represent Canada, or as Berry refers to it: the ‘Olympics’ of natural bodybuilding.

The transformation from skinny wimp to flexing muscleman started at 15 years old, when his brother, Randy ‘The Rage’ Berry, reigning champion of Ottawa-based Big Time Pro Wrestling, set up a home gym in the basement. Within a week he started training at Physical Limits.

At 18, Berry registered in his first competition.

“To keep it very short, I won first place and landed a huge supplement sponsor. That’s when the competitive journey began,” he said.

Following several impressive victories came a crushing personal loss. In memory of his father’s passing, Berry put blood, sweat, and tears into the next competitions, including a provincial qualifier. Once again, he emerged victorious.

Berry took a two-year break from competing to focus on fitness modeling. He quickly landed calendar covers, magazine features, and ad campaigns, as well as a Las Vegas photo shoot.

But he still envisioned being ‘Mr. Junior Natural Canada’. Shortly after returning to bodybuilding, Berry was signed by supplement company ANS Performance.

“They’ve already helped me out so much and I couldn’t be any happier to represent such an incredible team,” he said.

Currently, Berry’s living in Ottawa for schooling, conveniently close to his original stomping grounds.

“Cornwall has always been home for me,” he said. “The support I receive from the city is overwhelming.”

Special shout-outs went out to Andy Derix (owner of both Prestige Brick and Platinum Fitness & Supplements) for helping with show costs and longtime girlfriend, Erin Parisien, for her unflinching support.

Berry credits bodybuilding for giving him discipline, determination, and countless opportunities.

“It’s made me the man I am today,” he said.

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