Los Angeles, California - Four years ago, 18-year-old bodybuilder Tristyn Lee got sick of being the skinny kid on the block. Instead of just idolizing the bodybuilders he followed on Instagram, Lee decided to get fit and become one of them himself.

The idea of training to be a bodybuilder at the age of 14 seemed a bit crazy to some, but Lee didn't let the opinions of others deter his newly-found dream.

When he first started lifting in 2017, Lee's approach was much different from how it is now. Instead of lifting heavy, he thought that lighter loads combined with intense muscle contraction with each rep would allow him to bulk up.

He's since changed his ways, progressing to heavy weights and following a ketogenic diet with the goal of reaching 2% body fat. Currently, this 18-year-old bodybuilder is sitting a little below five percent!

Since his journey began, Tristyn Lee has been posting videos and comparison pictures on his Instagram and YouTube channels.

In 2017, one of Lee's first-ever Instagram videos went crazy viral, catching the eye of pop music superstar Jason Derulo, who commented on and shared it on his social media accounts.

Sharing a YouTube video reacting to his old Instagram posts, and by extension his younger self, Lee couldn't help but make fun. This 18-year-old body builder certainly ain't pumping 5-pound dumbbells anymore.

"At the beginning I thought 'it's fine, if I just contract the muscle hard enough, eventually it'll just grow.'"

Tristyn Lee is impressively dedicated to getting ripped, but it can easily be misconstrued as obsessive. Many of his videos and Instagram posts have comments expressing the opinion that this ripped 18-year-old should be more carefree.

Many social media users feel that he should be easier on himself, splurge on calories, go to a few parties, and spend time doing anything besides spending hours pumping iron and practicing his poses.

Working out is Lee's version of fun, though, as he explained in an Instagram post: "To say 'you're just a kid, live your life' is OK and I understand that for many having 'fun' is going out and partying and eating treats, but I have a goal in my mind and am willing to do whatever it takes to get to where I want to be.

"Sure, of course it’s okay to have a good time, but who’s to say that I’m not having fun in the gym!"

What started as a hobby in 2017 has turned into a way of life for Lee, who has now become possibly the most ripped 18-year-old in the world. With his eyes set on his bodybuilding prize, he has no intentions of slowing down - could he become the next Arnold?