“Part of me is to set an example and tell them that there are people out there with PKU on stage.” —Aiden Young
Every athlete faces challenges on their journey, but few overcome obstacles as formidable as their own genetics.
Aiden Young was born with phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare disorder preventing his body from breaking down protein— an essential macronutrient for building muscle mass. Yet through creativity, perseverance, and a refusal to accept limitations, Aiden has shattered expectations by pursuing competitive bodybuilding. Now in his fifth show after just a year and a half of training, Aiden proves that health conditions are not destiny by rewriting what is possible through adaptive training methods.
Tune in to hear Aiden's incredible story of pushing past brain fog, diet restrictions, mindset shifting, adapting his training to make it work for his condition, supporting others, and inspiring through sharing his journey.
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Episode Highlights:
01:42 Plagued by a Genetic Disorder
03:24 Managing PKU and Limitations
05:10 Overcoming Injuries and Trauma
06:39 Feeling “Bouncy” with Anticipation
Sherrie Kapach:
Welcome to Beyond The Prep, I'm your host, Sherrie Kapach. I'd like to welcome you this afternoon, Aiden. He's competing in bodybuilding. Tell me a little bit about yourself. How long have you been bodybuilding?
Aiden Young: I've been doing it for a year and a half. So it is still quite new as learning.
Sherrie Kapach: Okay, is this your first show?
Aiden Young: It's my 5th show?
Sherrie Kapach: Wow. So you've been busy then?
Aiden Young: On May 15th, I was actually competing in Alberta. Not Alberta open, but Alberta, the other show.
Sherrie Kapach: Okay, perfect. So how did you get into bodybuilding? Why did you get into bodybuilding?
Aiden Young: I started when I was actually casually exercising when I was 12 or 13. I go into the gym whenever I get physical exercise or get my body moving. I get to sense that stress relief. So that's how I powered through college, university and just throughout life. And about two years ago, actually, I signed up for a gym membership. And now, I'm on stage.
Sherrie Kapach: Okay. So you found it a good stress reliever just getting to the gym and everything like that. And then you just started to get into bodybuilding.
Aiden Young: Actually, I was going to mention that. I also have a rare genetic disorder which is called phenylketonuria. It's approaching metabolism disorder. So basically, my liver doesn't break down protein. So meat, chicken, or a high protein diet is told by the medical professional that I can build muscle mass and maintain it. So I have a community with me, that part of me is to set an example and tell them the PKU guys and girls and say, look, there are people out there with PKU on stage. There's a guy in Norwegian, he's huge and has the same phenylketonuria.
Sherrie Kapach: So how are you finding that then going through this? Do you find it harder to do it with that, like you say, without the protein to build the muscle and things like that? Or are you finding other ways around it to make it work?
Aiden Young: Usually, for me, the recovery is different. Okay, since I have PKU, it does play a role with how my central nervous system functions. I have to keep my workout to a certain timeframe. Sometimes, my body gets out. And sometimes, I have trouble controlling my muscles. Or I usually have a high carb diet such as sweet potato, potato or high quality carbs, protein which I could. Natural protein, I have eight grams of protein a day that I actually diversify into neurotoxin, which does that fix my neural central nervous system.
Sherrie Kapach: Oh, wow. So do you find working with that and working out that like, how do you work with it right now? Are you getting better? Are you learning?
Aiden Young: It's been learning for years. Develop my own system and work around it. And when I'm sick, it's difficult to have a high protein diet. Or if I eat a protein sandwich the next three days, I have brain fog which affects the ability for me to train and the quality of my workout. And sometimes, I cut my workout short. So I have to really work just around that.
Sherrie Kapach: Well, good for you. It's amazing to be able to continue doing this, learning and working, just adjusting for it and getting on stage. Because we don't get on stage in itself, and it is a lot of hard work. So being able to do it and adjust with that, the regulations on that, that's amazing.
Aiden Young: There's always a way around, working around those injuries through experience. Because being alive, he will work through serious injuries. I have friends that have started back into bodybuilding after a serious car crash.
Sherrie Kapach: Yeah. And it's a huge commitment. So you gotta want it to be able to push through that. And absolutely, being able to come through any kind of tragedies and traumas and continue to get on stage is an amazing feat in itself. So if someone came to you and asked or mentioned to you that they wanted to get into this work, what's the best piece of advice you could give them?
Aiden Young: I would say what my friend always told me when we had this one day discussion. And that guy, he's into his late 60's. And he says, just say to yourself, look yourself everywhere. Look yourself in the eyes and say, I'm an athlete in training. And don't say I can't do it. Because it hurts that I won't do it. I haven't been to the gym where I feel like, literally my brains gushing over my soul because I'm so tired from the protein toxicity. You know what? I have pushed myself, maybe it's not the best fit for everyone. But that's the way I work around.
Sherrie Kapach: It's a huge mindset too. I think it's amazing what your body can do, as long as your mind allows it to do it. That's great advice. How's your prepping going this month?
Aiden Young: This is actually the most successful prep throughout the year for me. It was based on my high carb diet. I've been hearing through him too that it's pretty much impossible to learn. And I found a way to work around that without putting my health in jeopardy and go into details. But there is definitely that way that I actually worked around it, actually proven to be successful for my previous record in bodybuilding stepping off stage.
Sherrie Kapach: That's good to hear. So do you have any more plans for the remainder of the year? Are you ready to take a break? Are you going to be competing again anytime soon? Or waiting till next year?
Aiden Young: Actually, I'm going to compete, and I'm gonna see how far I can push myself. And there's actually this drug trial, a brand new drug. So once I get my hands on, it allows me to eat a few grams. Perhaps a dozen grams more protein. To others, it's not much. But to me, it's actually a huge advantage. It keeps me full throughout the day and prevents muscle loss.
Sherrie Kapach: So you're gonna go and hopefully test that out and see how that works for you. And it's a trial thing.
Aiden Young: New clinical drug trial.
Sherrie Kapach: Okay. Okay. Well, good luck, I hope all goes well. And on that note, I'm gonna let you go because I know you still have a few hours to wait before you're on stage. It's coming up fast. How are you feeling?
Aiden Young: I'm actually feeling quite bouncy right now. Mostly the anticipation and excitement. One of those feelings where it keeps you awake at night. Yeah, that feels good.
Sherrie Kapach: Yeah, you're right. You're right. It's like, let's go. Let's do this. You've worked hard for it, so that's amazing. I'm gonna let you go. I want to thank you very much for being on this podcast. Good luck to you. I'm hoping to have time to watch you on stage.
