Doctor Turned Bodybuilder Becomes Major Sensation

A Chinese doctor turned bodybuilder. That’s the story of Yuan Herong, born in Shandong province in 1989 who went on to receive her Bachelor’s degree from the Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

She then completed her postgraduate and doctoral studies at the Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine with a major in medical prescription.

Yet, despite all her educational achievements, Yuan Herong began developing a side passion for fitness.

She wanted to gain body mass by building up her shoulders and improving her overall body proportions, and committed to spending more time at the gym.

"I was working out one day and a professional noticed me,” she said. “He thought I had talent and wanted to help me make the most of it.” 

After a few tests confirmed that her body shape was suitable to enter bodybuilding competitions, Yuan Herong focused more of her time and attention to her new-found side hustle. 

Her spare time outside of work was filled with bodybuilding training.

She regularly posts pictures of herself working out on social media to engage with her fans and the industry, which eventually earned her the reputation of having the “face of an angel, and the body of a devil”.

“I work as a doctor full-time, and a model part-time,” she once posted on her Instagram account. “I am not a fitness coach.”

In addition to improving her body health and competing in bodybuilding, Yuan Herong also wants to help raise awareness of and promote traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

"A lot of our processes need to change. I want to spread the culture of traditional Chinese medicine online and raise its popularity.”

Her side hustle as a part-time fitness model did not come without setbacks and professional struggles. To Yuan Herong, her image as a professional doctor has taken a big hit, after she reported receiving inquiries from people whose sole interest was to connect and talk to her because of her online celebrity status, but to consult her as a medical doctor. 

Her Instagram followers skyrocketed to over 100,000 after she began sharing her fitness photos.

In addition to her full-time and part-time occupations, Yuan Herong is also married. According to Yuan's Weibo account, she collected her marriage certificate on October 10 with her husband, who is also a doctor and five years older.

What do you think of her body transformation? 

Do you know anyone who has also become a professional bodybuilder? 

Source: weibo@二万九秀秀

Editor: Crystal H

Advertisement

Editor's Pick