Meet the bodybuilder who hopes to become the first transgender man to win the world's biggest bodybuilding competition - Mr Olympia.

Ajay Holbrook, 20, an automotive technician from Houston, Texas, was born Ambreia Jane but has identified as a man since the age of 16.

He began hormone replacement therapy back in 2014, and started training as a bodybuilder the following year.

Ajay Holbrook, 20, from Texas, hopes to become the first transgender bodybuilder to win the Mr Olympia competition

Ajay was born Ambreia Jane but began identifying as a man at the age of 16, when he started hormone replacement therapy

Ajay said his mother has been a personal trainer 'for as long as I can remember', but working out did not begin interest him until two years ago.

'I was actually physically abused by a relative at the time and I never wanted to feel that defenceless again,' he said.

'So I began working out to be able to defend myself and not feel so helpless.

'Looking back on it now, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself.

'I want to leave behind a legacy for all transgender individuals and compete in the biggest bodybuilding competition as the first transgender man.'

Ajay said his goal for the contest is to win, but he would be happy just to place among the competition.

Speaking about his decision to start transitioning, Ajay said: 'I absolutely hated myself, and could barely look at myself in the mirror.

Ajay pictured as a child (left) and shortly before he started his transition (right)

He said physical abuse by a family member led to him 'never wanting to feel that defenseless again' and start training (pictured after starting his transition, but before bodybuilding)

Explaining what life was like before his transition, Ajay said: 'I hated waking up every day and I often times felt very suicidal without really knowing why'

'I hated waking up every day and I often times felt very suicidal without really knowing why.

'I finally decided that my happiness and success in life meant more than the judgment of others. I had to finally put myself first for once rather than trying to please those around me.

'I took the first steps to getting on testosterone, which in Texas you are required to have at least six months of therapy with a gender specialist to be able to start Hormone Replacement Therapy.

'I can look in the mirror for the first time in my life and love who I see staring back at me. I am more confident, I am happy and no longer miserable.

'I look forward to waking up every day and am able to deal with life's everyday troubles a lot more efficiently. I no longer want to die, but only want to live as much as I possibly can.'

Two years of intense training has seen Ajay bulk from 6st 13lbs to 10st 9lbs. He can currently bench press 136kg and squat 142kg.

Ajay said that while he hopes to win Mr Olympia, he would be happy to place among the top athletes at the competition

Training has seen Ajay bulk from 6st 13lbs to 10st 9lbs. He can bench 136kgs and squat 142kgs

Despite being much happier and more content in himself since transitioning, Ajay said he still struggles for acceptance from those close to him.

'A lot of my family does not understand what it means to be transgender therefore do not accept me, and I just keep my distance from them,' he said.

'My mother and grandmother are really my only close family. At first, they also did not understand and weren't exactly against it nor for it.

'Over the years they have seen me blossom and are starting to understand just how important my transition is to my success, and I am forever grateful that they were able to open their minds enough to see that.

'I wish that more people would understand that it is not as taboo as they may think. In reality, transgender people have been around since the first humans.

'In some cultures they are worshiped as being 'two spirited'. I wish that more people would see it for what it is rather than jumping to the conclusions that we are mentally ill simply because they don't understand.'