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Most patients don’t know that Dr Daniel Sun of Dental Boutique in Maroochydore, Queensland, is also a competitive bodybuilder.
“I entered my first bodybuilding competition in 2022 and won the Men’s Fitness Overall Champion title at the ICompete Natural Queensland State Championship. I only compete in natural federations. Most recently, I competed with the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation. To gain entry, I had to undergo both a drug test and a lie detector test, an effective way to eliminate drug use from the competition.
“My journey into bodybuilding began in 2016 while I was studying at the University of Queensland. I started casually going to the gym with friends, but after graduation, I began training more seriously. That’s when I decided to take my passion to the next level and enter a bodybuilding competition.
“These days, I train five times a week, hitting the gym at 5am on weekdays and slightly later on weekends. During the off-season, my focus is mainly on weight training. When I’m prepping for a competition, I start tracking my steps and doing cardio daily. The most important aspect of bodybuilding is discipline, following a strict diet and training regimen. About four months before a competition, I start dieting to reduce body fat. It’s all about creating a caloric deficit by reducing fat and carbohydrate intake while maintaining protein levels. I eat less rice, bread and pasta, and swap fatty meats for leaner options like chicken breast.
“During competitions, judges look at muscularity, symmetry, conditioning, and confidence on stage. Posing is also a crucial part of the sport. I’ve learned a lot by watching other bodybuilders and I work closely with my coach to ensure I’m on track. My next goal is to compete in the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation Natural Pro Qualifier in July next year. I’ve done well in my past shows and am hoping to repeat that success there.
“The discipline required for bodybuilding spills over into other areas of my life, especially my career in dentistry. It helps me maintain a very effective schedule and has instilled a ‘never give up’ attitude in me. Dentists are known to develop joint problems, but I’ve had none. Bodybuilding has been great for my physical and mental health.
“What I love most about bodybuilding is that it rewards you for the effort you put in. Every rep and every training session makes me stronger and more resilient. It has made me a more confident person.
“The hardest part of competing is the dieting phase. I’m constantly hungry and craving junk food. As soon as the competition is over, my first meal is always fried chicken and then all feels right in the world again.”
