THE DAUGHTER of a retired professional bodybuilder made her debut on the stage this weekend after overcoming bullying. 

Malmesbury's Lilli Harvey, daughter of retired professional bodybuilder Charlene Harvey, made her debut on the stage in Manchester this weekend, securing second place in the Pure Elite Bikini Model 17-23 years category and was the youngest competitor on the day.

This achievement for the 18-year-old earned her Pro Athlete status and an invitation to the Pure Elite World Championships in November.

In 2023, Lilli was diagnosed with a severe eating disorder triggered by bullying, which led to a negative body image and dissatisfaction with her appearance.

This diagnosis came as a huge shock to her highly sporty family.

Despite this, Lilli was determined to get her life back on track. Having previously trained with her family, Lilli turned to her mother and said: "I want to compete and be on stage like you did. I want to show people that although there is no fix for mental health, there are ways to manage it and live with it, especially with the support networks available and family!"

Though she faced several challenges along the way, Lilli's determination shone through.

Despite a few nerves, she delivered a flawless presentation of poses, securing second place in her first-ever competition.

Reflecting on her accomplishment, Lilli said, "I am so glad I have done this. It has really marked a turning point for me. Second place is awesome, but being on stage in front of hundreds of spectators and feeling confident in my body was fantastic.

"I can’t wait to do it all again and see how well I can do against the experienced pro athletes at the World Finals."

Lilli comes from a very sporty and community-spirited family.

Her mother, Charlene, has won numerous bodybuilding trophies, including the Pure Elite World Championships, and runs her own sportswear business.

Her brother, Louis Harvey, is a racing driver with two national karting championships and numerous other motorsport accolades.

Her father is the Watch Manager at Malmesbury Fire Station and has helped raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for good causes while keeping the community safe.

Lilli is now looking forward to competing again on the 10th of August in Wales and the 9th of November in High Wycombe for the Pure Elite World Championships.