On this episode of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, Ed Akay joins Dana Jones to share how he learned to work around limitations, why physical health and mental strength are deeply connected, and how he began competitive bodybuilding at age 40. He also discusses competing in both para and able-bodied divisions, training around injuries, and the discipline required to succeed naturally.

About Ed:

Ed Akay is a Natural Universe champion, speaker, model, entrepreneur, and bestselling author whose life has been defined by resilience. After recovering from paralysis at age three despite a poor prognosis, he built a diverse career spanning law, property development, writing, public speaking, modeling, and competitive bodybuilding. Ed has appeared on more than 60 magazine covers, published two poetry collections, and is featured in the Amazon bestselling biography From Darkness. In 2024, he won gold for the UK at the Natural Universe, the UK International Para Bodybuilding Championship, and silver at the World Natural Bodybuilding Championships. He added two more UK para bodybuilding titles in 2025. In 2026, Ed founded a public relations consultancy and helped his mother, author KJ Akay, achieve an Amazon number-one bestseller and national media recognition.

Ed's Links:

Web: www.edakay.com

www.kjakay.com (Ed’s mother’s site).

Instagram @edakaymodel

Dana’s Links:

⁠⁠⁠https://www.painfreeathletepodcast.com⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠10 Day Journaling Journey⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Disclaimer:

The Pain-Free Podcast is presented solely for general information, education, and entertainment purposes. Any information presented in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional diagnosis. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. As always, users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition that they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.