Body By Alex: Hofstra bodybuilder aims to be 1st-ever transgender 'Mr. Olympia'
Posted: Updated:Like most college freshmen, Alex Tilinca is still trying to figure out his future. But he has a past that sets him apart.
Tilinca is a transgender bodybuilder. Before the age of 10, Alexandra Tilinca dreamed of being someone else. While others thought it was a phase, Alex knew all along.
"I saw these action figures and video game characters and said, 'I want to be them,'" says Tilinca.
When Alex was younger, he never liked who he saw in the mirror and felt compelled to do something about it. The road has not been easy.
"I grew up surrounded by boys, and I always copied everything they did, and I tried so hard to embody, and I realized, wait, I'm not trying to be a boy, I am a boy!" says Tiliinca.
At 10 years old, Alex built up the courage to tell his mom first.
"He just looked at me like, 'I don't think you really understand what that means.' I said OK, but it doesn't make a difference regardless," says Monica Tilinca, Alex's mother. It didn't make a difference to his father either.
With the family on board, Alex underwent therapy, then hormone therapy and finally surgery when he was 16. Now, 18-year-old Alex is a determined Hofstra student and full-time bodybuilder -- he says it's everything he wanted to be.
All the while, he says he doesn't want to be known as a trans bodybuilder, he wants to be a bodybuilder who happens to be trans.
Alex recently won a bodybuilding competition in the Bronx. Mom and Dad looked on, cheering and crying.
"It was beyond exciting and then to find out he actually won, I was floored," says Monica Tilinca.
Alex's ultimate dream is to lift the biggest trophy of them all -- becoming the first transgender Mr. Olympia.
His parents' advice for those going through a similar situation as they did years ago?
"Listen to your children, give them the benefit of the doubt and don't dismiss them," says Monica Tilinca.
SportsSportsMore>>
FRIDAY SPORTSCAST: Knicks fire Fizdale after 4-18 start
FRIDAY SPORTSCAST: Knicks fire Fizdale after 4-18 start
The Sports Rush
The Sports Rush
News 12 Varsity Report: High school hoops
News 12 Varsity Report: High school hoops
Hauppague vs. Elmont and Manhasset vs. MalverneHauppague vs. Elmont and Manhasset vs. MalverneThe Kevin Conversation podcast: Joe Mihalich & Geno Ford - listen here
The Kevin Conversation podcast: Joe Mihalich & Geno Ford - listen here
This episode goes all in on Long Island college basketball as Kevin Maher chats with Hofstra basketball coach Joe Mihalich and Stony Brook basketball coach Geno Ford.This episode goes all in on Long Island college basketball as Kevin Maher chats with Hofstra basketball coach Joe Mihalich and Stony Brook basketball coach Geno Ford.Molloy women's soccer makes history in NCAA Tournament
Molloy women's soccer makes history in NCAA Tournament
The Lions have won the most games in program history this season and head upstate to take on top-seed College of St. Rose.The Lions have won the most games in program history this season and head upstate to take on top-seed College of St. Rose.
NewsMore>>
Police: Brentwood teen fatally stabbed mom during argument
Police: Brentwood teen fatally stabbed mom during argument
Police say a Brentwood teen is accused of killing his mom following an argument outside the family home.
Police say a Brentwood teen is accused of killing his mom following an argument outside the family home.
According to police, the incident happened around 6 a.m. Sunday when they got into an argument inside of an SUV outside their home.According to police, the incident happened around 6 a.m. Sunday when they got into an argument inside of an SUV outside their home.Some charges dropped by judge in case against driver in Boy Scout death
Some charges dropped by judge in case against driver in Boy Scout death
Four of the 12 charges Thomas Murphy faced have been tossed out.Four of the 16 charges Thomas Murphy faced have been tossed out.Sounds of the Season: Vote on the Top 12!
Sounds of the Season: Vote on the Top 12!
It’s time for your talented stars to share their gift with Long Island.
It’s time for your talented stars to share their gift with Long Island.
Ice bucket challenge inspiration Pete Frates dies at 34
Ice bucket challenge inspiration Pete Frates dies at 34
Pete Frates, a former college baseball player whose determined battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease helped inspire the ALS ice bucket challenge that has raised more than $200 million worldwide, died Monday. He was 34.Pete Frates, a former college baseball player whose determined battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease helped inspire the ALS ice bucket challenge that has raised more than $200 million worldwide, died Monday. He was 34.Southold moves closer to decision on new hotel and restaurant
Southold moves closer to decision on new hotel and restaurant
The Southold Zoning Board of Appeals moved one step closer to a decision about a new hotel and restaurant in town.
The Southold Zoning Board of Appeals moved one step closer to a decision about a new hotel and restaurant in town.
The Southold Zoning Board of Appeals moved one step closer to a decision about a new hotel and restaurant in town.The Southold Zoning Board of Appeals moved one step closer to a decision about a new hotel and restaurant in town.
SlideshowsGalleriesMore>>
Dog Day Fridays for Dec. 6
Dog Day Fridays for Dec. 6
Manny is a 5-month-old male, Lab/Spaniel mix from Texas. He's an extremely playful, energetic and bouncy pup. He would thrive in a high energy home!
Manny is a 5-month-old male, Lab/Spaniel mix from Texas. He's an extremely playful, energetic and bouncy pup. He would thrive in a high energy home!
This week's dogs are up for adoption at Kent Animal Shelter. The shelter is located at 2259 River Road Calverton, NY 11933. Their phone number is 631-727-5731.This week's dogs are up for adoption at Kent Animal Shelter. The shelter is located at 2259 River Road Calverton, NY 11933. Their phone number is 631-727-5731.Chinese lantern festival lights up the sky above Citi Field for the holiday season
Chinese lantern festival lights up the sky above Citi Field for the holiday season
A new lantern festival has taken over Citi Field, lighting up the sky starting Friday.A new lantern festival has taken over Citi Field, lighting up the sky starting Friday.Your Long Island 2019 Holiday Photos
Your Long Island 2019 Holiday Photos
From sparking holiday lights to fun Santa photos, News 12 wants to see your holiday photos!From sparking holiday lights to fun Santa photos, News 12 wants to see your holiday photos!2019 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
2019 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
The 87th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony was held Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019 in New York.The 87th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony was held Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019 in New York.Your December 2019 Storm Photos
Your December 2019 Storm Photos
Do you have photos of the winter storm from the December 2019 storm? We want to see!Do you have photos of the winter storm from the December 2019 storm? We want to see!
The Sports RushMore>>
News 12 Sports Rush for Dec. 2, 2019
News 12 Sports Rush for Dec. 2, 2019
The full News 12 Sports Rush show from Dec. 2, 2019.
The full News 12 Sports Rush show from Dec. 2, 2019.
News 12 Sports Rush for Nov. 25, 2019
News 12 Sports Rush for Nov. 25, 2019
The full News 12 Sports Rush show from Nov. 25, 2019.
The full News 12 Sports Rush show from Nov. 25, 2019.
News 12 Sports Rush for Nov. 18, 2019
News 12 Sports Rush for Nov. 18, 2019
The full News 12 Sports Rush show from Nov. 18, 2019.
The full News 12 Sports Rush show from Nov. 18, 2019.
News 12 Sports Rush for 11/11
News 12 Sports Rush for 11/11
News 12 Sports Rush for 11/11
News 12 Sports Rush for Nov. 4, 2019
News 12 Sports Rush for Nov. 4, 2019
The full News 12 Sports Rush show from Nov. 4, 2019.
The full News 12 Sports Rush show from Nov. 4, 2019.