Body building is not a funded sport in New Zealand, unlike other countries, all costs are covered by the athlete and he says he wanted to prove that it was possible to do both.
Phil works full time at Ballance in Kapuni, "they have been one of my biggest supporters". He was nominated for the Sport Taranaki award by the Inglewood Stadium Trust Gym.
"I do a lot of personal training sessions with people at the gym and they have always supported my body building."
Phil says for him the older he gets the better he gets at the sport.
"I didn't do my first competition until I was 37. Each year I set a new goal and just keep going until I achieve it."
Phil's advice for other masters athletes: "Never give up, things just get better with age."