28-year-old Anand Arnold is a man on a mission, and that mission is not to let his disability define him or hold him back.

Anand, who hails from Punjab, India, began bodybuilding at the age of 13, and won his first trophy that year.

However just two years later, at the age of 15, he was diagnosed with cancer in his lower spinal cord, and quickly underwent an operation which left him paralysed and bed bound for three long years.

Anand explained: ‘After the operation, my chest was paralysed. I could just move my hands and nothing else.’

‘Those three years were like hell for me.’

However Anand, spurred on by the love and strength of his supportive family, soon overcame this tragic setback in spectacular fashion.

Now wheelchair bound, Anand started training again, and was determined not to let his disability hold him back.

He explained that although his family and friends were supportive, they were somewhat sceptical: ‘They initially thought because of my condition I could not do anything, but just to keep me positive they said I could start doing something if I was able to.

But Anand soon showed them what he was made of. He gushed: ‘As soon I started winning competitions, they were also happy.’

And like his body, Anand’s bodybuilding career has gone from strength to strength. To date he has been crowned Mr India three times, Mr Punjab 12 times, and has 27 other titles to his name. He’s also the face of Muscle Mania and a brand ambassador for a nutrition supplement company, as well as a model for a range of popular action toys.

Understandably his father, Prince Arnold, is incredibly proud: ‘Any father who has such a son will definitely be proud of him. So I am.’

And although he’s already achieved so much, against the odds, Anand is still focused and determined to achieve more.

He said: ‘My biggest dream is to make a movie on my life. I believe it will inspire people to reach new heights. It will give people like me a new ray of hope.’