A greybeard by many sports' standards, Langley's Neal Hamilton is lifting Father Time over his head and shoulder pressing him.

The 47-year-old bodybuilder and personal trainer has a physique that would make people half his age envious, but it hasn't been easy getting that way.

When he's competing, Hamilton adheres to a strict-but-basic low carbohydrate, high protein diet that includes drinking buckets of water each day to stay hydrated.

Hamilton said his family members, including wife Susan, son Brandon, and daughter Chantele, have been huge supporters through the years, and have helped keep him focused and on track.

Hamilton came out of retirement to compete in the Masters Division, primarily so he could train with 17-year-old Brandon, and "show him what it's like to be a bodybuilder," he said.

Last month at the BC Bodybuilding, Fitness, Physique, Bikini, and Figure Championships at the Massey Theatre in New Westminster - the same venue where he debuted as a bodybuilder 30 years ago - Hamilton captured the Master Men title, taking top spot over nine other competitors.

Hamilton is committed to showing that you can build your body without help from steroids or performance enhancing drugs.

"Being a lifetime natural, I want to show you don't need steroids," said Hamilton, who works out six days a week, two hours each day at Revolution Gym, where he's trained since 1999. "It took 30 years to build the physique I have."

Hamilton stressed that he isn't criticizing steroid-users, but he's witnessed the dark side of the drugs.

"I've seen the bad side effects, and being natural is the way to go," he said.

That's a message he conveys to youngsters, teenaged boys in particular.

"I talk to kids about the dangers of steroids, and goal setting" he said.

On July 28 in North Vancouver, Hamilton will take the first step towards what he hopes will be a world title.

He's competing in the INBF Canada Vancouver Cup, a World Natural Bodybuilding Federation pro qualifier.

Back in 1999, Hamilton earned a pro card with the WNBF. He fell just short of a world natural bodybuilding title in 2005, placing second at the FAME World Natural Sports Organization (WNSO) Bodybuilding Championships in Toronto.

Once he retired from bodybuilding, the card expired. With or without a world title, Hamilton said he'll continue weight training for the rest of his life.

tlandreville@langleyadvance.com