A Yorkshire bodybuilder who’s steroid addiction left him fighting for his life says he “can resonate” with Strictly star John Whaite’s recent struggles with drugs.
Zak Wilkinson, 32, was left in a coma after spending more than £35k on a steroid addiction. For more than two years, Wilkinson abused steroids and adopted extreme eating habits to get ripped and prepare for bodybuilding competitions.
He would spend more than £750 per month on steroids, including Anavar, Masteron and Equipoise, injecting himself up to three times daily. His rigorous diet consisted of six meals a day, which included just five foods – broccoli, chicken, rice, egg whites and steak. He also dedicated at least 45 minutes a day to cardio at the gym.
On March 23, Wilkinson’s punishing regime caught up with him when he began having seizures, vomiting and sweating profusely. He was rushed to the ICU unit at James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, after his sister, Chelsea Wilkinson, 37, put him in the recovery position and called an ambulance.
His rigorous diet consisted of six meals a day, which included just five foods – broccoli, chicken, rice, egg whites and steak. He also dedicated at least 45 minutes a day to cardio at the gym.
Initially, doctors suspected meningitis, but they soon realised the fits and symptoms were a result of Wilkinson’s steroid use and fat loss tablets. He was placed into a medically-induced coma for seven days and was diagnosed with “likely provoked seizures in context of multiple drugs”.
Zak’s distraught family were advised by medical professionals to brace for the worst, but after a gruelling week, Zak made it through. Despite being unable to speak for three days, he miraculously avoided any neurological issues, as described by doctors.
Having lost even the strength to lift his three-year-old son, Saint, Zak has since had to relearn how to walk and now aims to deter young bodybuilders from harming their bodies.
John Whaite, former contestant on The Great British Bake Off, revealed that his struggles with steroids led him to contemplate ending his life, having started using them after looking in the mirror and despising what he saw.
Zak, a rope access scaffolder from Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, said: “I can understand – they get a grip of you.
“When you’re on them you’re training a lot harder and more frequently.
Zak Wilkinson, 32, was left in a coma after spending more than £35k on a steroid addiction
“That’s when addiction can start becoming involved.
“For me, focusing and concentrating even more on myself meant I lost myself in the process.
“You get to a stage where the sh*t hits the fan like I did and it almost cost me my life”.
Strictly star John confessed that he “couldn’t gain muscle” and was strict with his diet – similar to Zak – and stated that the steroids have affected his sex drive.
Zak explained that steroid addiction can impact your libido and lead to erectile dysfunction, as well as mood swings. He said: “If you’re someone who suffered from mood swings it’s who you take them out on and you can become snappy.
“The financial side as well – mine was high as I was injecting multiple times a day.
“When taking steroids you’re taking different hormones too whether it’s peptides or a growth hormone.
Zak and his ex-gf and mother of child
“I was taking fat loss tablets with it to accelerate weight loss.
“I was having more caffeine as I found myself tired more.
“For me everything was noted.
Zak Wilkinson, 32, was left in a coma after spending more than £35k on a steroid addiction
“I had a notepad with me tracking my meals, my weight on a morning.
“I had my Apple watch on me checking steps and checking calories burnt.
“It’s a very strict regime.
Zak Wilkinson, 32, was left in a coma after spending more than £35k on a steroid addiction
“In this day and age now people are wanting to take things to make things look better facially and physically look huge.
“People are taking them to look good in a photo or a seven-day, 10 day holiday, whatever it may be.
“The sad effects are coming after it.
“I can resonate.”
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