In Their Own Words...

Five years ago, on my 41st birthday, I was sitting in my doctor's office with the first signs of Cancer. I'm now 46, I just celebrated my fifth year of being Cancer free and I just won my first All-Natural bodybuilding contest (June 12, 2010 Carolina Super Naturals).

When I was discovered to have Cancer (Squamous Cell Carcinoma) five years ago, I asked the doctor what my options were, he said "If we don't do surgery and quick, you won't be here in six to twelve months to see your children grow up and even then, the future isn't guaranteed."  I was told that this particular Cancer had about a 50% survival rate. After weeks of testing (and a lot of anxiety from not knowing what I was up against on my part) and one “exploratory” surgery to try and find out exactly what type Cancer I had, My surgeon did about a ten hour surgery to remove the Cancer. During the surgery , he had to remove a trap muscle and nerve in my shoulder along with a grocery list of other things (tonsils, lymph nodes, saliva gland to name a few). As I was in recovery he came in and apologized for having to remove the muscle and nerve because he knew I enjoyed "lifting weights". He said I'd never be able to use that shoulder to lift again (at least not like I was accustomed to). He was surprised at what mobility I still had in it (I still can't raise it all the way, but do have some mobility). So, with God's grace, surgery, and six weeks of radiation ( five days a week-every day during my lunch hour ) I was on my way to recovery.

Before the surgery, I was the typical “gym rat”. I enjoyed working out with weights. I weighed approx. 265lbs before the surgery and a year later was down to approx. 215. I'd lifted weights on a regular basis before so even at the 265lbs I was in good shape. However, during the first few months after the surgery I couldn't eat any real food so I lost most all of my muscle. In fact, the last two weeks of radiation, I lived off of three I.V.s (I know, we all need to eat right?!). But when the radiation has made your throat so raw that you can't brush your teeth, drink water, or anything else without gagging then all of a sudden taking in "protein" isn't a big deal. It took a year for me to get any real strength back and by strength I mean having strength left over after a day's work.

The second year after the surgery I'd gotten lazy and wanted to see how couch potatoes lived. Besides, the doctor told me I'd never "lift again" because of the shoulder right? I gained back up to about 260-270lbs. This time it was mostly fat. It was during my third year that I decided enough is enough. I decided to get to the gym and just see what I could do. It was tough to start with. Benching 135lbs for a few reps was a challenge. However, one day led to the next, and one gain led to the next. Although there were exercises I couldn't do because of the shoulder, I focused on what I could do. I'd "lifted weights" since I was 16 (off and on), but I'd never gotten serious about the bodybuilding lifestyle, i.e. learning about supplementation, carb intake (nearly any magazine will tell you about protein), and adding the proper amount of cardio. Once I started doing these things, my body began to change for the better. The gym owner, Mike Apps (Greenville Athletic) was the one who told me I should think about competing. He has seen a few bodybuilders in his time. In fact, Lee Haney and James “BoBo” Eason worked out there at one time. I was going to compete in my first show last year (four years out from surgery), however, during the last six weeks of my training some personal issues derailed my training. So, all of last year I ate and trained with this year's show in the back of my mind.

January of this year I weighed 235lbs with a body fat (B.F.) of around 14%. I began eating clean, continued using all my supplements, doing cardio, and training 7 days a week. The day of the show, I weighed 200lbs and had a B.F of approx. 5%. I won first in Open Heavy and 2nd in my age group. With all that said, my prize wasn't the trophies. It was being blessed with more time here on earth to spend with my loved ones.

What has this taught me? Whether we're bikers, runners, weightlifters, or even just walkers we're all trying to stay fit and enjoy a healthy life-style; and I'm sure, whether consciously or unconsciously, we're hoping staying healthy adds years to our life. I look back to five years ago; I thought I was in great shape. I hadn't been sick in over a year, but when someone tells you that you have “Cancer” it really doesn't matter how much weight one can lift, or how far they can run, or how fast they can bike. It brings everything into perspective. Time with loved ones is no longer taken for granted, but cherished. I was one of the fortunate ones; God blessed me and healed my sick body.