A positive life change made three years ago continues to pay off for Ben Wondga.

The 37-year-old Whitehorse bodybuilder finished third in his first competition earlier this month at Chandos Pattison Auditorium in Surrey, B.C.

The event – Knight of Champions – was promoted by B.C. bodybuilder Tamara Knight and sanctioned by the B.C. Amateur Bodybuilding Association.

The five-foot-eight, 181-pound Wondga finished third in the light heavyweight category, in which five participants competed.

“To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect,” he said of his first-ever bodybuilding competition. “I felt like I matched up pretty good against the guys I was up against. They were all bigger and heavier than me – and they all had more experience.”

For his efforts, Wondga took home a trophy and prizes such as supplements and training equipment. He also earned the right to compete at the B.C. provincial bodybuilding championships.

“There was a lot of stress, but once I completed the contest, I’m so motivated to keep going,” Wondga said, noting he was on a strict diet for four months before the competition.

“And knowing what I know now, I won’t be so high strung next time. I’ll actually be able to enjoy it.”

Wondga, a member of the Kluane First Nation, currently teaches at Jack Hulland Elementary School. On the side, he runs his own personal training business – Bodies By Ben and Personal Punishment Productions.

He has spent over half his life living in the territory – in both Haines Junction and Whitehorse.

In 1998, he served as captain of the Yukon Claim Jumpers – a now-defunct junior hockey team in Whitehorse.

“I was always an athlete growing up,” he said. “I played lots of hockey, but ended up with quite a few injuries.”

The injuries hurt, and Wondga hit the local party circuit.

Wondga said it was three years ago when he made the decision to get fit.

He wanted to “set a good example” for his young family so he quit the party scene and returned to the gym.

“It’s culminated in this,” he said yesterday. “I try to send this message to the children that I teach: if you have goals, there’s nothing that can stop you if you set your mind to it. And you’re never too old to chase your dreams.”

Wondga expressed his thanks to Peak Fitness owners Cliff and Erin Schultz for their support of his bodybuilding pursuits over the past eight months.

“Without their sponsorship, none of this would have been possible,” he said. “It felt good to know that I could compete with those guys after not a very long amount of time. ... It’s really gratifying for me.”

The competition saw Wondga take the stage twice.

In the first round, he completed a series of compulsory poses. After moving on to the finals, the same series of poses was required, followed by a one-minute routine set to music.

“It’s kind of like compulsory posing with a little bit of flair,” he explained.