At 24 years old, Jens Dalsgaard lost his beloved mother to multiple sclerosis and found his life spiralling out of control. He became involved with a local gang and after just a few months he found himself in court.

He lost the next four years. “I lost myself and ended up in prison. But when I was in jail, I was offered some cognitive behavioural therapy.” That period in his life changed everything. Upon his release from prison three years ago, Jens decided he would focus on bodybuilding.

He’s now known as 'The Beast', weighs 20 stone, has a 56-inch chest, boasts 40 tattoos across his face and body and consumes no less than 5500 calories every single day. He has an army of followers on Instagram and runs his own online coaching service with clients across the world hoping to emulate his bodybuilding success.

The great big Dane is now 31 years old and things have never been better. His girlfriend Frederikke helps him with his food preparation and though she’s into keeping fit, she’s not on quite the same level as Jens.

However, it’s not been all that easy for Jens, bodybuilding is a tough business and one he’s struggled with at times. “The great amounts of food, the training followed by injuries, getting heavier, the everyday back ache, not to mention all the hours of pain spent in the tattooist's chair – it's demanding.”

Jens 'The Beast' Dalsgaard is living proof that no matter how bad things get in life, you can always find your true passion and turn it all around. At 24 years old, Jens Dalsgaard lost his beloved mother to multiple sclerosis and found his life spiralling out of control. He became involved with a local gang and after just a few months, found himself in court. He lost the next four years. “I lost myself and ended up in prison. But when I was in jail, I was offered some cognitive behavioural therapy.” That period in his life changed everything. Upon his release from prison three years ago, Jens decided he would focus on bodybuilding. He’s now known as 'The Beast', weighs 20 stone, has a 56-inch chest, boasts 40 tattoos across his face and body and consumes no less than 5500 calories every single day. He has an army of followers on Instagram and runs his own online coaching service with clients across the world hoping to emulate his bodybuilding success. “I am so blessed to have so many amazing fans. I get a lot of fan mail and messages and I do my very best to get back to everyone,” he told the Daily Mail. The great big Dane is now 31 years old and things have never been better. His girlfriend Frederikke helps him with his food preparation and though she’s into keeping fit, she’s not on quite the same level as Jens. “My fascination with big muscles started way back when I was a little kid. When I watched cartoons, I always preferred the villains rather than the heroes and I loved the baddies' big muscly physiques.” Comments Share Tweet Credit: News Dog Media However, it’s not been all that easy for Jens, bodybuilding is a tough business and one he’s struggled with at times. “The great amounts of food, the training followed by injuries, getting heavier, the everyday back ache, not to mention all the hours of pain spent in the tattooist's chair – it's demanding.” He currently works out five times every week and eats nine meals a day. The ink on his face is what truly defines him however, saying they tell the story of his life.

“When I was released, I was done with that way of life. To put the past behind me, my brother – who is a tattoo artist – tattooed my face with a new Mauri inspired facial tattoo. Now my facial inking tells stories from my life and who I am now.”

One thing is for sure, Jens has become a much bigger and much better man than he was before. But he isn’t done changing just yet. “But I'm still not satisfied. I want to become as big as possible.”