In his first bodybuilding competition, local resident Michael Phillips won three categories and came close to bringing home the Carolina Supernatural Bodybuilding & Figure Championship 's top prize. Ledger Photo/ JOE L. HUGHES II “You are what you eat.”

Heard a lot in casual conversation, the old saying is one in which 43-year-old local resident Michael Phillips swears by, making regular trips to Gaffney Fitness Center and Your Best Body Gym & Spa in an effort to keep his body in tip-top shape.

“When someone tells you that you are what you eat listen to them; they’re telling the truth,” Phillips said. “Eating is like maintenance to a vehicle; the products you put in are the results in weight gain or loss you will receive.”

Sticking with his regimen of lifting weights and a diet consisting of meals laden with protein and low on carbohydrates, he dropped his overall weight from 223-pounds to 184 -pounds in a matter of weeks.

Working out since his days in the military, Phillips always felt his physique was something to behold. But the Gaffney man wanted to see where he stacked up against others.

“I simply wanted to see if I could make it; a good friend of mine Mike Williams for the longest has told me I need to try,” Phillips said. “I had not won a trophy before and wanted to see if I could earn one in a bodybuilding showcase.”

Phillips, who will be 44 on July 1, and nearly double the age of some of his competitors, came away as one of the big winners of the recent Carolina Supernatural Bodybuilding & Figure Championships in Spartanburg. The winner of three categories — Novice Heavyweight, Master’s 40-49, and Open Light Heavyweight — he just missed out on claiming the night’s top prize, finishing second to 24-year old Vann Johnson of Edgeville.

“It took someone nearly half my age to beat me,” Phillips joked. “This will just serve as an early birthday present for me. I’m very pleased I did so well my first time out.”

An event rewarding athletes’ diet, dedication and attention to detail, competitors are banned from using illegal drugs and steroids, or else face disqualification.

“The first thing that happened after winning is learning they wanted to conduct a drug test,” Phillips said. “They want to make sure they got it right, and that I did as well.”

According to the Gaffney bodybuilder, using such substances to get an edge is nothing more than a quick fix that seems to always backfire in the end.

“It’s definitely an edge, but not necessarily one for the better,” he said. “Steroids are the equivalent of crack cocaine. It gives you such a rush then it takes everything, including your health.

“(Steroids) are definitely not for the kids; if you can do without them, do without them.”

Despite his success at the recent bodybuilding competition, Phillips does not plan to step back on stage this year. However, his bout with success does have him contemplating entering contests down the road.

“I put so much into my first competition that I felt it would be the only one I did this year; I’ve been eating good since the event,” Phillips said. “But I will surely do more next year.”