In the nineties, Gunnar Hjelm was among the best bodybuilders in the Danish Kingdom. On stages in the Faroe Islands and Denmark, he showcased himself as the first Faroese to compete in the sport.

Stubbornness and willpower characterize Gunnar. He blazed a track and marched to the beat of his own drum. His choice of bodybuilding over the more traditional career path of sailing caused many to view him as a vain fool.

Gunnar’s life has been anything but simple. He has lost all his siblings, and his father passed away far too young. Divorce, alcohol, obesity and a lack of purpose marked his life for many years. For a time, he was struggling severely psychologically but managed to pull himself back up again. Strengthening his physical fitness was what ultimately helped him recover.

He created a new life for himself with a new spouse, but dark clouds suddenly loomed over the hopeful couple. Their daughter weighed less than a carton of milk when she was born, and they were only able to have their son with them for half a year before he passed away from muscular atrophy.