Michael McCarthy of Levittown is not your average teenager. He is a 19-year-old graduate of Division Avenue High School in Levittown, and currently attends Nassau Community College. But there's something that separates him from the pack. For over a year, he has been competing in various bodybuilding competitions.

McCarthy took home four different first place awards at his first event earlier this year at the Xcalibur in New Jersey. He proved that was not just a case of beginner's luck by having very respectable third and fourth place finishes at the Muscle Beach and GNC MPC Teen Nationals respectively, as well.

With his sport not quite hitting the mainstream yet, most are not aware of the sacrifices and work ethic necessary to succeed. McCarthy will be competing in his next event on June 4 at the Atlantic States in Manhattan. So, from Jan. 15 until then, his lifestyle will take a drastic change, but that does not bother the teen bodybuilder. "I love it," he said. "I like pushing myself to the limit and doing things that others can't."

Once his hardcore training kicks in, in mid-January he will be at the gym six days a week, with the final 12 weeks before competition consisting of stringent training regimens including long cardio sessions. Between that hard work and a strict nutritional diet, McCarthy's body transforms into what can be compared to a Marvel Comics superhero.

"Every calorie counts," he says of his need to stay dedicated to his diet before competitions. "My mom makes sure I have all the food I need." That says a lot for Mrs. McCarthy, considering her son's commitment to bodybuilding is not something most mothers have to deal with. However, Michael emphasizes his mom has always remained completely supportive of his endeavors.

Bodybuilding is obviously a very mentally and physically draining sport, McCarthy says, so it's important to have motivation. He said he certainly wouldn't be where he is, without his girlfriend Jiuliana. "She has been by my side the whole time, and keeps me subdued when I get cravings and so on," he said strongly. Jiuliana accompanies McCarthy in cardio sessions, as she competes in women's figure competitions, so her diet and workout consists of similar requirements to her boyfriend's.

McCarthy loves bodybuilding now, and said he just enjoys standing out and being the center of attention. But, he acknowledges that this will not last forever. Because of the lack of exposure still given to his sport, there is not a wealth of money available. So, he plans to do this until he is about 26 or 27 years old, when he plans to open his own business.

With all that said, McCarthy still does leave the door slightly open for a longer career if he achieves more success than expected. "I'll never say never, but I'm just enjoying this ride right now," he said.