Harley Judge, the Love Island personality, has changed a lot since he first appeared on the show six years ago.
The 28-year-old was the first islander voted off the famous ITV show’s 2017 season, after being rejected by Amber Gill – who has since found love with Jen Beattie – and Chloe Crowhurst.
Despite receiving some notice from his six-day stint on the show, Harley told his 134,000 Instagram followers in a new post that the reality TV lifestyle “wasn’t for me” and brought him to the “lowest point in my life.”
He has found comfort in the gym and has become a bodybuilder, frequently posting photos of his new figure on Instagram.
After gaining 30kg of muscle, the former groundskeeper recently displayed his massive arm and thigh muscles.
In response to a post, one person commented: ‘Mate, you are unrecognisable,’ and complimented his transformation, while others simply wrote: ‘You look insane’ and ‘omg you are huge’.
When you consider that he characterised himself as a “Ken doll” before joining the renowned villa of love, it’s quite the transformation.
‘This isn’t just a matter of me wanting to “look good,” bodybuilding is my existence,’ Harley, who now competes in bodybuilding contests, explained.
He continued: ‘I thrive off extremes. Pushing myself to my limits and I would much rather it be towards [something] that benefits my life rather than it being detrimental.’
Harley described how it impacts every aspect of his day, including sleep, diet, and exercise, but he is more than willing to ‘invest’ in this way of life.
Expanding further on his mental health post-Love Island Harley said: ‘I suffered with depression, I was drinking and partying multiple times a week and generally my life was a mess. I deleted all traces of me and that show so I could move on with my life.’
In addition to altering his own appearance through the extreme lifestyle, Harley has made it his goal to assist others in doing the same, providing special coaching sessions through his business Alpha Elite.
He told his followers ‘let’s get to work’. I’m exhausted just thinking about it!
Long-term girlfriend Lauren Brown, who also works as an internet coach under the brand name Alpha, shares his excitement.
The pair has been together for over three years and refers to their partnership as a “Covid relationship.”
demonstrating that love can exist outside of the house Harley has been characterised as Lauren’s “bestie” and a fantastic “dog dad of two.”
All previous series of Love Island are available to watch on ITVX.