A petite air hostess who was depressed at losing her dream job picked herself up - to become a champion bodybuilder.

June Keeratiya, 32, was set on a life in the aviation industry until the airline she was working at closed down shortly before the pandemic started.

The 5ft-tall bodybuilder said she used to hate exercising but it gave her an outlet to release her energy when she was jobless.

June, from Bangkok, Thailand, is now part of the country's national bodybuilding team and has won dozens of competitions.

The fitness fanatic said: ‘I had a dream ever since I was young that I wanted to be a flight attendant, travel the world, and serve all the customers.

‘There was a problem for my company that they had to shut it off so that's why I was kind of laid off, nothing that I could do.

‘I had nothing to do for a year, so I also had to leave.

‘Back then I was a person who did not like to exercise. I loved being still and just doing nothing.

‘I was depressed and had to find a way to survive. One of the trainers that I was close with asked me to work out so I thought I'd give it a go.'

June's newfound passion became more than just a hobby when she tried bodybuilding. She won the Southeast Asia Championship in 2019 and came second in the World Championship.

She said: ‘My coach who was also my boyfriend asked me if I wanted to try bodybuilding. I said 'no, why would I? I'm a girl'. But then I tried it. It was tough but I liked it.'

The pretty athlete said she is hitting the gym every day as she hopes to become the world champion.

June added: ‘I had to change my diet and be very disciplined. But all the hard work paid off the moment I step on stage.

'In 2019 I came second in the world championship so my ultimate goal is to become the world champion.'