Byron Campbell
My name is Byron Campbell and I am a bodybuilder. In 2014, I was involved in an accident, which broke my back in two places. I had feared bodybuilding for me was over. I was determined not to let it hold me back so I started training again (probably a little too soon). A month later, I tore my rotator cuff and right pec in half. This time, I took my time and have regained my strength and muscle. With the support of my beautiful wife, daughter, family, friends and staff of Gold’s Gym in Lawrenceville I overcame the odds in front of me and here I am back on stage. Footnote: Byron placed 4th in Bodybuilding, Masters 40+, Lee Haney Games
Enrique Huesca
In 2012, I was brand new living in NY. I had to move close to my job so I didn’t know anyone. It was hard to get into fitness because I was drinking a little too much. A gym opened right next door from my job. I wasn’t interested in the beginning but two of my friends were very motivated and they asked me everyday, “Come on Enrique, let’s go. I was like no, no, no.” Finally they convinced me to start going. And I’m not gonna lie, I felt weird the first few months. I didn’t know how to use any of the machines. But I told myself, “you already here, you committed to this – Don’t give up!” So, I started looking for information online, YouTube, Facebook, and magazines. I set a goal; I remember my first goal was, I’m going to have abs no matter what. I didn’t see my abs until 8 months later, but I didn’t give up. Then I was even more motivated. Of course, I had people telling me, oh you look too skinny or you’re crazy. I was, like – whatever!!!! Today, I can say those same guys ask me for advice on how they can exercise even though they used to call me crazy!!!! I can’t judge them because they are my friends. Some people don’t know better and they stay in their comfort zone. But me, I’m different. I decide to show everyone that great things can happen when you put in the hard work and you never give up!!! In 2015, I competed at the Muscle Mania Europa Games placing 3rd and earlier this year I competed at the Arnold Classic in Ohio. My next goal is the Lee Haney Games. I am more prepared, I have a great team, and great coach. And I have no excuses. I’m going to make it happen. #NOEXCUSESMAKEITHAPPEN Footnote: Enrique placed 1st Men’s Physique, Novice, Class B, Lee Haney Games
Eric Montgomery
My story of transformation and inspiration began in 2012, when I recognized my need to improve my overall health. Having just turned 53, I suffered from Type-II diabetes, and other ailments. I was prescribed two different insulins, and two pills to manage my blood sugar. I was also a high blood pressure and high cholesterol patient for which I took pills. Lastly, with my family history of heart disease, I was on a daily babay aspirin regimen. I weighted 234lbs (about 35 pounds overweight, according to my doctor), and wasn’t involved in any type of physical activity. I ate what I wanted, when I wanted, and as much as I wanted. Suffice it to say I was a classic candidate for a medical tragedy if I didn’t make substantial lifestyle changes. Realizing the severity of my condition, I joined a gym – one I would actually go to, and not simply pay their bills without using the facility. I joined 191 Resolution Fitness (in the 191 Peachtree Tower, downtown Atlanta), and began to go 3-4 days per week during lunch. I started slowly with light cardio and weight routines, occasionally participating in kickboxing classes led by one of the trainers. I then began searching the internet for plan samples I could follow, eventually putting together this 5-day plan: Monday – cardio warm up/ upper body Tuesday – cardio warm up/ lower body Wednesday – heavy cardio Thursday – cardio warm up/ upper body Friday – cardio warm up/ lower body I changed my schedule to go before work everyday, arriving at 5:30am to workout, show and get to work by 7:00am (same building as the gym). Over the years, this plan has worked well for me, modifying routines every two weeks so I didn’t get stuck on a plateau. As a result of hard work and commitment, I dropped to 212 pounds and lost 2 inches in the waist. In February (2016), I entered the FitTrip Challenge – a 12 week fitness and nutrition contest conducted by Corporate Sports Unlimited. It started with a hydrostatic weigh-in, body composition analysis, and nutritional counseling. Weekly FitTrip challenges were performed in addition to my regular routines. At the end of the 12-weeks, I emerged as the men’s winner for 191 Resolution Fitness and was in the running for the overall winner from the 14 different gyms. Each year, one participant is awarded the FitTrip Achievement Award for recognition of accomplishment and tireless dedication to the competition. The award is named for James Alston, acknowledging his outstanding efforts and FitTrip wins for 10 consecutive years. I won the 2016 Achievement Award and told my story at the annual FitTrip Challenge banquet. During the contest, my body fat percentage dropped from 17.8% to 13.1%. I lost 11 fat pounds and gained 3 pounds of muscle. I experienced a total body transformation during the process. I am no longer a high blood pressure or cholesterol patient. I am down to 1 pill for diabetes, taking insulin only as needed, which is not that often.
Luis Soto
In Dec 2014, I decided to make some changes in my life including the way I eat and drink. I got a gym membership and read every article and watched every YouTube video I possibly could on how to loose weight and build muscle. At first I did not see results and was discouraged, I registered for a challenge on Bodybuilding.com, which got me motivated. Once again I did all that I could to learn about nutrition. Finally I began seeing results but I have worked hard both in and out of the gym and am now preparing for my first show in 2017. Fitness has changed a lot in my life and had given me the confidence to know that I can reach all of my goals, both in and out of the gym.
Miranda Karasch
In December 2014 I was stuck in a strained marriage, working long hours running my new business, and was the heaviest I’d ever been. I was exhausted, constantly sick, on antidepressants, and severely unhappy. Frustrated, I made a deal with myself: I would dedicate one year (it seemed like an eternity at the time) to my health and fitness. I had tried to get in shape before and did ok but I always stopped after a few months and allowed things to go back to the way they’d been before. I told myself that this time if things didn’t change, I would allow myself to give up for good. I knew if I wanted to succeed that I would need to do something different this time and I would need help. I liked lifting weights because I loved how lifting made me feel strong so I began searching for a gym with that in mind. My search led me to Ford’s Gym, an old school gym, in Madison, WI where I was living at the time. Making that first call to set up my appointment with a personal trainer was extremely hard for me. I was ashamed of having to ask for help, scared of having someone hold me accountable, and afraid of failure. Even harder than making the phone call was actually walking into the gym on the day of my initial consultation. It is EXTREMELY intimidating being a 217lb out of shape girl walking into a gym where bodybuilders and powerlifters train. When I showed up that first day I met with trainer, Sam Masino. After finding out what my goals were he told me he wanted me to do a couple exercises to see where my starting point was. I had done a boot camp type workout earlier and was not planning on having to do anything else. Now I was out of my comfort zone, slightly pissed off, and worried I wouldn’t be able to do much after already working out that morning so I complained, or more accurately, whined about it. He made me do it anyway and I ended up being surprised with what I was able to accomplish. I will be forever grateful to Sam for taking me on as a client, and for his unfaltering support, patience, and motivation. He never once made me feel “less than”, which I was terrified of, and from day one he never let me say, “I can’t”. In the beginning, I struggled pretty hard. I would make excuses, skip training sessions, and eat with my heart not with my head. Things did NOT click for me right away and this process (and it IS a process) was not something I fell in love with immediately. It took about four to five months of working with Sam for something to start shifting. I started to notice how training affected my energy levels. How food and sleep affected my training. I FINALLY got sick of listening to my own excuses. I wanted to, get stronger, be better, and lift more!! My mental transformation began and soon after my physical one accelerated. Around this same time my marriage was falling apart. After 13 years, we decided it wasn’t going to work anymore and in November 2015 my husband and I separated. Making the decision to end our relationship was harder than anything I have ever done in my life. I felt like I’d lost everything: my life as it was, my future as I’d planned it, my husband, my confidence, and love. I felt like a failure. It was devastating and I wouldn’t wish that experience on anyone. I don’t know what I would have done had I not already started the process of working on me, on my health. The gym became my safe place, my therapy. Training was my one constant. In the past, I would have self-medicated with food or alcohol but I refused to do so, because I needed to train. I was determined to keep doing what I had been doing, investing in myself. In May 2016 I was offered the opportunity to expand my business to Georgia. On my own, I packed up and moved away from the only home I’d known. My main concern, in order to deal with yet another huge transition, was finding a new gym. I did it on day two. From the day I walked into Ford’s Gym over two years ago, I have continuously learned I am capable of more than I ever believed I was. Making the decision to invest in me, to become the best version of myself was the best decision I have ever made. I have strengthened not only my body but also my mind and spirit. I have found mental strength that I didn’t know I had. My separation and eventual divorce, my move to Georgia from Wisconsin, and the expansion of my business are all things that could have easily derailed my progress but I refused to let them because I have seen the importance of putting my mental and physical health before everything else. When you make a commitment to your health and fitness, it is LIFE CHANGING. It’s a feeling like no other. The best part is I’m not done and I never will be. There is always a new goal, something to improve upon. In August 2016, I discovered House of Payne Personal Training in Lilburn, GA. I am now, under the watchful eyes of my highly knowledgeable coaches, Steve and Rachel Payne, training for my first bodybuilding competition! I can’t wait to see where the next leg of this journey will take me.
Janet Williams
Most people can look back at their lives and recognize a series of phases. They see significant relationships and important events that transformed them, helped trigger growth, shaped their world.
My life looks a lot like that.
After a childhood filled with sports and activity, I became a mom at a fairly young age and raised my son as a working single parent. After a few major heartbreaks I met my fiancé, Warres and looked forward to a future together. We entered a joyful, hopeful phase and things really started looking bright, until one Friday night that altered everything.
A serious car accident took the life of my fiance, Warres, and left me in a coma, fighting for life in a New Orleans hospital. Gone was our future as a married couple, stolen away by a drunk driver on a rainy night. And in the midst of this heartache I also dealt with the loss of my physical abilities.
A tracheotomy insertion left my voice severely altered, but more seriously, a Traumatic Brain Injury further affected my speech, messed up my sense of balance and caused me to lose function in my legs. I was paralyzed.
Dealing with paralysis takes a lot out of a person. Combine that with intense grief over losing Warres and the responsibilities of raising a son and you see the mountain that loomed over me. Honestly, looking back I know that only the strength of the Holy Spirit got me out of that bed, into rehab and on through years of painful, slow recovery.
I found so much joy and happiness working out over the 14 years of my recovery in New Orleans. I hit the gym every day except Sunday and experienced over and over the incredible feeling of facing a physical challenge with determination and courage.
My transformation progressed even further in Atlanta, where I had moved after Hurricane Katrina. There I decided to use my passion for and knowledge of fitness to help others. Yes, I am in a wheelchair, but that certainly doesn’t stop me from training my body and guiding others as they train. In fact, the challenges I’ve faced and continue to face help me to truly connect with my clients as a personal trainer and as a friend.
With God’s help, I climbed out from a dark place of deep grief and severe injury. Now that I’ve brought my own body back, I want to help others get theirs back through hard work, patience and determination. We all have a fighting chance!
Joann Norwood
My daughter has been the main inspiration in my life. Everything that I did was for her. She went on to receive a full scholarship to a university in Philadelphia. I should have been elated but deep inside I was devastated to take her to campus. I turned to exercise as an outlet. While at the gym, I was encouraged to consider a bikini competition. I laughed. I saw that those women had muscles, beauty, and were full of vitality. I did not see myself that way. My daughter continued to inspire me. She was running hurdles on a torn ligament, and took first in conference, breaking records. I wondered if I had the same strength to overcome “hurdles” too. I was so proud that I set a goal for a show in 2015; the Lee Haney Games. Surprisingly, I did well. Even at the age of 42. My daughter was elated. I saw the pride and excitement. It inspired me to want to do another show. It still didn’t occur to me that I was externally driven. The second show was devastating! I had placed extremely last. I felt like giving up. I was at a very low point. Finally I realized that I could only be as successful as my internal resiliency for setbacks. I learned that I had to build internal fortitude. I had to develop my own strength instead of depending solely on external inspiration for support. My new coach encouraged me to consider a national competition. Initially, I agreed to it until the date began to approach. I became terrified. Any internal fear and negativity that lingered came to the forefront. I was so fearful that I began to only go through the motions for my work out. I realized that mental determination was key. I became more focused on positivity. I didn’t watch others. And if I could not be positive, I promised myself I would just remain silent. Eventually, perseverance began to prevail. The NPC North American Championships arrived and I did not know how much I had changed. I was so focused on the journey that I did realize the distance of my travel. After prejudging, I saw my picture on stage for the first time and I cried. I was shocked. At that moment, I did not care what my placing was. I had overcome my hurdles. I forgot that this was a show to determine if I would become a pro. Ironically, the judges were sitting at a table next to me and saw the whole thing! It was obvious they had seen this scenario many times. Later that evening, the show confirmed what I had already felt inside. I triumphed over negative relationships and negative thinking. And I believed in myself for probably the first time in my life. Please know that I hold a master’s degree in forensic psychology and I am pursuing my PhD in neuropsychology. But all of the academia did not compare to the last 10 months of my fitness journey.
Natalie White
August 27, 2013, I was on my way home from recently receiving the “job of my dreams” as being a District Supervisor of Probation in SE Alaska. I had previously been in Law Enforcement for 10 years prior and had left working the streets to be with my family. On my way home to pick up my children, I was struck by a drunk driver while stopped at a traffic light. Fast forward a year later and a year of Physical Therapy I was still in a lot of pain; I continued to personally train clients as a side job and continue traveling and working as a Probation Officer. I worked through the pain and on October 2014 I hit the stage for the very first time at the NPC Ironman in WA State; I was instantly hooked. I loved the sport of bodybuilding, but wanted to learn more. I continued to have severe pain in my back and neck and suffered migraines, but learned to cope with the pain and kept marching on. In 2015, I discovered I had a hernia that required surgery to repair, another setback on the road to getting back on the stage. I had hoped the time off from the surgery would have allowed the back/neck and shoulder muscle to heal and alleviating that pain but instead it did the opposite. Apparently, in trying to work through the pain, other muscles in the back/neck and shoulders began to overcompensate. They needed to be re-trained and re-developed. At this point, I really felt I just couldn’t get a break! Even so, I continued praying for healing and patience, and focused on my clients, family and career. I dove head first into as much learning as I could in bodybuilding, training and nutrition. I obtained certifications through ISSA, IDEA Fitness, and IAFS. I was in contest prep but five months into my training I had to withdraw from the show due to severe illness. I was in pain and struggled with the thought that I may never be able to hit the stage again. While I continued helping others achieve their fitness goals, I also passed the exam for the Ultimate Bodybuilding IAFS certification. Ultimately, I would like to become a Master trainer and continue to help as many people as I can. Over the past 3 years I have learned a great deal of patience, humbleness, learning to wait and listen to God’s timing – and not my own. I have learned how to work around my pain and injury and when to ice, when to rest, and the limitations that I will live with the rest of my life. With my mentor Lee Haney, my amazing husband and my incredible faith, I was able to hit the stage again on August 27, 2016 – exactly three years to the date that I was struck and injured. This was a huge success and a heartfelt and meaningful day as I stepped out of my comfort zone and competed in both Women’s Physique and Figure. I placed well in both, but more than the placing, I won by never giving up! No matter what your setback is in life, you can achieve all things with God and a “will and determination” that never says “I can’t”. Footnote: Natalie placed 3rd in Figure, Open, Class F, 1st in Women’s Physique, Open Class C, and 2nd in Women’s Physique, Masters 35+
Rhea Brown
August 26, 2015. Lethargic, tired, overweight….Only a few words to describe how I felt. I was my heaviest weight of 216 lbs. wearing a size 16. Throughout high school, I stayed active and in shape by being involved in sports. However, 16 years and 2 children later, I found myself constantly fatigued and unable to participate in events with my children. Even climbing stairs were exhausting. At 34, I was not living life, simply existing. At this stage, I didn’t know what to do or how to start getting into shape. My dear friend Rebecca, taught aerobics classes so I decided to take one. It kicked my butt! She helped jumpstart my weight loss by giving me a workout and eating plan. I followed trough and pushed forward. Soon the pounds started dropping and I felt better! A few of my friends would meet at the gym at 5:00 am. Never a morning person, many times I would say, “I cannot go to the gym at 5:00am!” One day I said. “I can and I will!” This was the turning point. I became extremely dedicated and competitive with myself. 4-5 times per week I would meet my friends for our early morning workouts. My husband of 15 years was so supportive! I was becoming a fit mom and wife with tons of energy. January 2016, I competed in a local charity event, a tower run of 32 flights of stairs. I completed the event 11th place in my division. Not bad for someone who just a few months earlier, had trouble getting up 1 flight of stairs! Fast forward to May 2016. I hit a plateau. I absolutely loved to weight train but knew I needed to increase my cardio. This summer, I vowed not to drive a vehicle to the gym – only running or biking for this girl! A friend suggested I take 6 weeks to lean out and compete in my first NPC Bikini Competition. It was scary but I buckled down, followed my plan and did it. Exactly 1 year from the time I began my fitness journey, on August 26, 2016, I had lost 66 lbs., met my goal weight, was now wearing a size 6 and competed in the NPC Alabama State Championships. I placed 1st in Bikini novice in my height class and 2nd place in Masters 35+ category. Throughout this process, many people have asked how I have lost all the weight and gained muscle? My response is, it’s all natural. There is no magic pills, patches or shots. Those are short-term solutions. The key to long-term weight loss is a complete lifestyle change of a healthy, all natural diet with consistent exercise and a great support system! Many times, people will tell me they have seen me biking or running through our small coastal town and that it has inspired them! It’s amazing how my transformation has inspired a healthier lifestyle for others.
Laeann Amos-Reed
My initial motivation to maintain physical fitness was to break the cycle and overcome my genetic predisposition to diseases like diabetes, hypertension and obesity. I realized that diet and exercise would be crucial if I were going to beat the odds. Equally, as a public figure with a career in media in both television and radio I was always in the public eye. As a result, it was essential that I kept my weight under control. In fact I did a pretty good job all the way up into my late 20’s. Don’t get me wrong my weight definitely fluctuated between 138 – 160 pounds up and down 15 – 20 pounds for as long as I can remember. But I never went beyond that and maintained the standards to maintain my career options in radio/ television broadcasting. So you can imagine when I ended up at 220 pounds this past year how devastating it was to my esteem. As I approached my 30th birthday, I celebrated by preparing myself for motherhood. I promised myself to work out my entire pregnancy so the snapback would be unbelievable just as most of us women want. My health and weight has always been priority focus. I was blessed with a healthy pregnancy and just as I planned and taught, “Pregnancy is no excuse to let yourself go, give into cravings, and not exercise”. I kept my fitness routine including heavy weight lifting. As I approached my sixth month of pregnancy. My mom had spinal surgery and I decided to move back home to help as she recovered and learned to walk again. I didn’t realize the toll stepping up to the responsibility would the demand of me. Moreover, when the emphasis shifted from caring for myself to becoming a fulltime caregiver, how easy it is to let yourself go. By the time I was in my 8th month of pregnancy, I was completely derailed from my own fitness goals and lifestyle. Instead, I put all my energy into my mom’s recovery. I stop going to the gym, but still tried to maintain clean eating habits. I thought at least maintaining my clean diet would be a cinch. After all I was already used to eating clean. But when I got around my family it was extremely hard trying to eat fish, chicken, ground turkey, & veggies while they are sitting right next to me eating everything from pork chops, pork bacon, pizza, cakes, and fried foods. I was battle tested and defeated. Eventually I gave in. As a result, by the time I gave birth to my son Princeton, I was a whopping 220 pounds. I was so embarrassed and ashamed of how I looked. I hated looking in the mirror. I disappeared and hid from the world. No one should ever beat themselves up in the manner that I mentally and emotionally punished myself! Eventually, I realized regardless of my surrounding environment, I knew better and I had to stop using excuses to take control over me. I decided to take back control and help educate others that may have fallen victim to what I’ve experienced. I knew GOD had a bigger purpose for me and this testimony would help others to lift their heads up. I started a journal to brain dump all of the emotional baggage I picked up while punishing myself. It was therapeutic and allowed me to forgive myself. I continued writing and creating a series of purpose driven programs. For instance; I wrote a bestselling book “A Complete Guide to a Sexier Healthier You” Teaching woman that you can build a “Sexier Healthier You” through all stages of womanhood. I created a Fitness apparel line called Gymni . I am a certified Personal Trainer and I created a Mommy’s Fit Pregnancy DVD. I took ownership of my career as the Owner & Host of Access Vibe TV. I am grateful, I continue to be battle tested, but I am no longer defeated!
