The Full Story

Since I was 15 years old, I always wanted to be a competitive body builder. Due to back problems. I had a difficult time doing leg work, but I did the best I could.

As time went by, I had to have back surgery which really made it difficult to build large legs. I continued trying. I was making progress and made enough gains to enter the 1992 Mr. Annapolis contest. I thought I would at least place or maybe I would just have fun trying. This was not to be. Four weeks before the event was to take place, the ulcerative colitis that I was diagnosed with in 1988 flared up and put me in the hospital.

I was told that without surgery I would live for only two more weeks. My entire colon and rectum had to be removed. I would have to wear a bag on my side for the rest of my life. I was devastated. I couldn't imagine living like this. I had come so far, and now this. I told the doctor to send me home because I would rather die than wear a bag.

After three days at home, I was rushed back to the hospital at three a.m. After much thought, I made the choice to live. It was a long journey back. I lost 44 pounds during this ordeal. It took six months to get back to feeling normal. I gave up on my dream of ever competing. It's hard to pose with a bag hanging over your posing trunks. So I tried to stay in some kind of shape, but you can tell from my "Before" picture that I didn't do a very good job.

The magazine was having a before and after contest to build the best body you could in just twelve to fifteen weeks. I decided to take action and change my way of thinking. I decided to enter the contest. I worked very hard at keeping my diet and training on schedule. It took me twenty weeks to complete my physical transformation. I was very pleased with my results.

I didn't win the contest. But I gained was a new perspective on fitness. With a well thought out plan and a definite goal, anyone can succeed in changing their life.

In so many ways. I felt better than I had in years. I must have looked pretty good too! People from all areas of my life were commenting on this dramatic change. They wanted me to assist them in doing the same.

I saw that I could really help people with the knowledge that I had gained over the years. So I took it a little further and went to school to become a personal trainer. And through trial and error, I have developed a plan to show others how they too can become physically fit and not sell their souls to get there.

I have benefited in so many ways through this experience. I want to help others to feel the same. My life has taken a turn for the better. I now set specific goals and set a plan to achieve them. I cook my meals in advance. I keep a journal of my training. I have never been this organized. I know that what has happened to me can happen to anyone if they want it badly enough. So if you desire to look better, feel better, be more confident in everything you do.