Faulkner, who entered his first body building competition only last month, will compete in the WFF international fitness show in Seoul, South Korea, this weekend.
The Otago Boys' High School old boy began lifting weights at school to supplement his rugby training.
Two years ago, after seeing others competing at the gym, he decided it was time to ditch rugby and get serious about being muscular.
''I was lifting for a while. Then people started encouraging me to go compete, and I realised I have some good natural genetics for the sport,'' Faulkner said.
''I have some really lean striations (ripples) in my glutes and triceps that give me an advantage.''
Faulkner is a natural body builder, and competes in the athletic division.
The event this weekend will be dominated by fitness models, who try to attain a leaner physique, moving away from the bulky look and the reputation of steroid abuse seen in other competition formats.
Phil Chaney, owner of Sky Fitness, a gym that produces a lot of Otago body builders, has never seen anything like Faulkner.
''In my 20 years owning this gym, I have never seen anyone with as good natural genetics as Alex,'' Chaney said.
''Guys work for years and years and still won't have as good of a physique as him.''
Faulkner went to the Christchurch grand prix last month not quite sure what to expect.
He entered the junior athletic class, which he won, before being promoted to the open class, which he also won.
''For my first show it couldn't have gone any better, really. I went up against guys who have been training for years and years, so getting a win was awesome.''
In preparation for an event, Faulkner will usually cover his entire body, including his face, in fake tan.
He will then spend the day of the competition carbo-loading and lifting weights so his muscles look ''pumped and full''.
Faulkner leaves for Korea today, but because of his strict pre-competition diet, he will not get to try the local cuisine until after the competition.
He tries to sustain his body with at least 2000 calories a day.
He eats oats and peanut butter for breakfast, and the rest of the day he enjoys his protein supplements, spinach, tuna and chicken breasts.
''It's a bit boring sometimes. I used to go home in the weekend and have a massive feed at my parents' place. I can't do that any more.''
Faulkner just bought a new pair of posing trunks, custom-made by a woman in Christchurch. He is planning on looking good in Korea.
''I don't know much about the competition, but I'm in pretty good shape at the moment.''
-by Leni Ma'ia'i
