An Accrington woman who only started lifting weights four years ago has finished runner-up at bodybuilding’s BNBF British Finals.

The achievement for Victoria Beardsworth, 48, makes her one of the UK’s best female bodybuilders.

Victoria, who also runs a fitness coaching business, began pumping iron four years ago to improve her mental health after a traumatic period in her life.

She said: “Fitness changed my life.

“It helped so much, bodybuilding gives you so much focus, and you just grow as a person.

Victoria on stageVictoria on stage (Image: Supplied) “You have to be very regimented, and in doing that you give so much up – but you also gain so much.”

In the lead-up to last weekend’s competition in Leatherhead, Surrey, Victoria had to follow a strict diet and intense schedule which involved walking 19,000 steps a day, 50 mins of bike riding, and five resistance training sessions a week.

She added: “I visited Gloucestershire for a mini-break before the competition.

“Everyone else was getting stuck into loads of good food while they were on holiday, and I was just sitting there with my tubs of rice.

“People always ask about how I manage to remain so dedicated but you just flick a switch and focus.”

The East-Lancs athlete competed in the Master’s Figure category, for over-40s, but she reported that she’s beaten women in their 20s in competitions before.

She explained: “I want to get the message out there.

“I’m 48 and I’m still able to transform my body, I hadn’t even picked up a weight until I was 44.

“If you put time into it, train with consistency and eat well – anything is possible.”

Victoria had to weight train five times a week in the build-upVictoria had to weight train five times a week in the build-up (Image: Supplied)

Although she remains focused on her next major competition in 2026, Victoria admitted to having a bit of a cheat break after her success in Surrey.

“I ate so much afterwards, I just didn’t stop eating,” she said.

“I had a cookie bar straight away, and then a three-course dinner, and then just got loads of snacks from Marks & Spencer.

“But it made me feel so ill because I’d gone from eating so well to so unhealthy and it shocked my body.”

If you feel inspired by Victoria’s impressive feat she’s available to contact through her coaching business, VictoriaBfit Coaching, on social media.