Clinically obese and weighing over 320 pounds, I was teetering on the edge of pre-diabetes. I had hypothyroidism and blood pressure problems. The fat around my midsection made me an almost inevitable candidate for heart disease.

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What initially began because of consideration for weight loss surgery quickly grew into an intense love of health, fitness and nutrition - going to the gym, lifting weights, and eating a healthy diet tailored to my body’s needs. It only took a few weeks for me to realize that I didn’t need to go under the knife. I needed to get under the bar.

 

As a kid, people always called me giant - like I took up too much space. When I started lifting weights, I embraced the moniker - taking what I already was and making it strong.