These photos taken six months apart, show just how far G-J Hill has come after battling Hodgkin's lymphoma.

A year ago Kerikeri personal trainer Gary-John Hill went from deadlifting 300kg to being diagnosed with stage four cancer.

Next week he will compete on one of the world's largest bodybuilding stages at the swanky Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

In August 2017, Hill said he'd been feeling a bit tired, had a slight cough, and started to lose his appetite.

He was prescribed an inhaler, before further testing revealed a 16cm tumour in his chest.

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Hill was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin's lymphoma, requiring urgent escalated chemotherapy, making up seven different types of the drug.

"The treatment was like nothing I've experienced before, it was like having the worst hangover times 1000," Hill said.

Supplied G-J Hill is fighting fit after six months of chemotherapy treatment.

"Chemotherapy is really tough, not just physically, it breaks you down mentally, that's the hardest thing, you don't feel like yourself, you don't look like yourself, you have no confidence.

"The worst things were struggling to get up to go to the bathroom, struggling to walk 100m, things we take for granted that most healthy people can do."

Hill said he doesn't recognise himself in the 'before' photos.

After treatment finished in February, he built up to walking one kilometre, before re-entering the gym in March. He is now back to training to five to six times a week.

"I was that sick I didn't think I would lift again, I had problems during chemo, with numbness in my hand and my left arm swelled up."

Hill continues to require three-monthly checkups but will compete in his first body building competition in the World Beauty Fitness and Fashion event in Las Vegas next week.

"I'm extremely nervous about being on stage, but if I can face what I've been through, I can face anything."

Hill will continue to focus on his personal training business and hopes to share his story with the world.

"A lot of people I've told, they've been inspired by it, I believe I can share a positive light."

Hill is well known in Kerikeri, not only as a personal trainer, but as a Northland's former number one golfer, NZ representative and starring on Australian television show NRL rookie.

He is grateful for the nearly $30,000 which was raised to cover medical expenses and bills via a Givealittle page.

​"It's one of the special things about Kerikeri and Northland," Hill said.

"I can't thank them enough for how much they got behind me, it really did give me strength at my lowest point.

"When I saw photos from the fundraising walk I broke down and cried, I thought it was special to have that support."

Hodgkin's lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which forms part of the immune system.