Bodybuilders with Disabilities
Ian C. Langtree - Content Writer/Editor for Disabled World
Published: 2009/02/11 - Updated: 2024/06/09
Publication Type: Awareness, Appreciation
Topic: Weight and Strength Training (Publications Database)
Page Content: Synopsis Introduction Main Item
Synopsis: This article looks at bodybuilders with disabilities including Nino Savona, Nick Scott, Reggie Benett, and John Quinn. Nino wants to show people with disabilities that it can be done and nothing is impossible if you can do it in your mind and have a healthy spiritual life. Nino dropped his crutches stepped up to the treadmill and ran like nothing else mattered, sometimes running faster then any fully functional person would.
Introduction
Bodybuilding is a challenging pursuit for anyone, but for individuals with disabilities, it presents unique obstacles and requires immense determination. Here are some inspiring stories of bodybuilders who have overcome disabilities to achieve remarkable physiques.
Main Item
Nino Savona
Bodybuilder Nino Savona has a dream body despite having to walk on crutches. When people ask him where his inspiration comes from, he simply points upwards and says "god". He says he is where he is to be as a source of inspiration for others, which he definitely is.
His disabilities do not slow him down and his endurance is most of the time super-human.
Many people find him to be over training when they see him doing several workout sessions, for when he does he constantly pushes every session to the limit. Always pushing, if his mind is set towards something he will get it done without excuses, his muscles have no choice but to follow.
Instead of doing his training sitting down he finds every way possible to get it done standing up. His intense training is now giving birth even to the muscles that did not work in him, including his legs. Nino dropped his crutches stepped up to the treadmill and ran like nothing else mattered, sometimes running faster then any fully functional person would.
Nino wants to show people with disabilities that it can be done and nothing is impossible if you can do it in your mind and have a healthy spiritual life. Equally for those who have good bodies, they should count their blessings and get to using them for the good of themselves, and for the good of those who can't and would want to.
Mark Smith
Mark Smith a former soldier who lost both his legs in an explosion in Afghanistan, took up bodybuilding and became a competitive bodybuilder.
He aims to establish disabled bodybuilding as a professional category and make a career out of it.
Nick Scott
Bodybuilder Nick Scott (also known as the beast) was victim of a brutal car accident at the age of 16 taking away his ability to walk. The car swerved out of control and performed several flips each as dangerous as the last. Nick held his breath and loosened his grip on the steering wheel as he no longer had control of all that was to come. Ending as fast as it started Nick found himself lying on the ground in a ditch looking at the sky, remembering he had not taken a breath for a long time he started to gasp for air. Although he was feeling no pain at all, it all came to the realization that he could no longer feel his legs, and he could no longer move them either.
When he had gotten to the hospital the nurse announced to him that he was to be paralyzed from the waist down.
Shattering all of his dreams those words led him to strong depression by night, but as his mother held him and said "Take it one day at a time", Nick understood. Giving himself small objectives and working his way to accomplish them, the first one being able to get by without painkilling medication. He was in control of the doses, by pressing a button the medication would take away the pain, but as long as he needed it he could not go back home. So he used it once and that was it, he dealt with the pain afterwards, but the pain meant nothing because he was determined.
Many years after Nick found his ultimate objective and became a source of inspiration for everyone, becoming a successful bodybuilder.
Peter Copsey
Peter Copsey, a former powerlifter and spina bifida sufferer, was inspired by Mark Smith and Josh Goodfellow to enter his first bodybuilding competition at age 51, overcoming years of hiding his disability.
Reggie Benett
Bodybuilder Reggie Benett has been unable to walk since the age of 13. His curiosity turned back on him when he came across a gun, and accidentally shot himself upon playing with it.
Reggie has ever since used his disabilities to inspire other people with spinal cord injuries while motivating them, by proving the fact that limits don't exist. If you set your mind to it you can exceed mentally and physically.
After his hard training he is also a motivational speaker and although his hard work and dedication towards what he does sometimes leaves him not much time with his family. He knows that what he does is needed to inspire everyday people, and as many other wheelchair bodybuilders.
It ultimately proves that no excuse is a good excuse when it comes to not staying in shape and healthy, not even when physically disabled.
John Nixon
John Nixon, who has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, participates in bodybuilding competitions despite the challenges posed by his condition.
He believes that even small gains in strength or muscle mass are victories for those with disabilities.
John Quinn
Bodybuilder John Quinn was victim of a near fatal motorcycle accident at a young age. It resulted in many broken bones and the loss of mobility.
Although this is one of the most horrible accidents that can happen to someone it's just a roadblock to get through and with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ living in me nothing can stand in my way. He is the true source of all my strength.
From there he proceeded to working on his body and became a successful bodybuilder.
His strong faith, will and mental strength has brought him to what he said he would be, strong both body and soul. He has conquered fear, pain and doubts and has proven that no limits apply for anyone, the limit is only in your mind.
Conclusion
These remarkable individuals have defied the odds and societal perceptions, demonstrating that disabilities need not be limitations. Their stories serve as powerful reminders of the human spirit's resilience and the transformative power of determination.
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Cite This Page (APA): Langtree, I. C. (2009, February 11 - Last revised: 2024, June 9). Bodybuilders with Disabilities. Disabled World. Retrieved November 7, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/fitness/exercise/bodybuilding/disabled-bodybuilders.php
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