Rock bottom to IFBB PRO bodybuilder

Quadlife · Sep 25, 2023

Graphic post

I’m writing this post today 9/25/23 I just got out of my 7th abdominal surgery to fix a destroyed abdominal wall.

22 years! Think about that for a second. Over 2 decades it took me to accomplish this dream!

31 shows | 4 shows this yr | 16 Pro Qualifiers
I used to be the kid on muscular development forum refreshing the page as the results came in watching ONE person turn Pro per year. I wondered hmm maybe 1 day that could be me…
Eventually i would hit rock bottom 3 times:

Losing 40-50lb each time from severe Ulcerative colitis. The first time losing 50lb in 2 wks in the hospital. I’ve had my entire colon & rectum removed over 5 surgeries and had an ileostomy bag twice now (the chances of this happening are slim to none). I’ve been put on bedrest; I’ve been told I was unfit to work. I’ve gone NPO (zero food ) for 12 days in the hospital; ivd had a poo

bag twice now, I’ve heard “oh he’s done competing.”

17 months ago I was lying in a hospital bed after my 5th surgery but against all odds I am finally an IFBB Pro Bodybuilder.

When you go through this type of adversity you fight back with a force that’s almost unrecognizable. These struggles have shown my my purpose in life to help people and lead by example.
To anyone out there struggling mentally or physically, trust me, adversity will make you into a warrior.

Quadlife · Sep 25, 2023

Here we go @bbxtreme! @SOUR DIESEL

bbxtreme · Sep 25, 2023

Quadlife said:
Graphic post

I’m writing this post today 9/25/23 I just got out of my 7th abdominal surgery to fix a destroyed abdominal wall.

22 years! Think about that for a second. Over 2 decades it took me to accomplish this dream!

31 shows | 4 shows this yr | 16 Pro Qualifiers
I used to be the kid on muscular development forum refreshing the page as the results came in watching ONE person turn Pro per year. I wondered hmm maybe 1 day that could be me…
Eventually i would hit rock bottom 3 times:

Losing 40-50lb each time from severe Ulcerative colitis. The first time losing 50lb in 2 wks in the hospital. I’ve had my entire colon & rectum removed over 5 surgeries and had an ileostomy bag twice now (the chances of this happening are slim to none). I’ve been put on bedrest; I’ve been told I was unfit to work. I’ve gone NPO (zero food ) for 12 days in the hospital; ivd had a poo bag twice now, I’ve heard “oh he’s done competing.”

17 months ago I was lying in a hospital bed after my 5th surgery but against all odds I am finally an IFBB Pro Bodybuilder.

When you go through this type of adversity you fight back with a force that’s almost unrecognizable. These struggles have shown my my purpose in life to help people and lead by example.
To anyone out there struggling mentally or physically, trust me, adversity will make you into a warrior.

Damn man. There is wanting it and then there is that! Any time anyone on here wants to think about complaining about how hard their prep is or if they should give up as SO many do, they need to come read, and hear your story.

For anyone who hasn’t seen his pictures prior to the pro card win, he was deserving of one so many times over. Admittedly, I likely would have given up myself so hats off to you as it makes my set backs feel so small in comparison.

Question as I missed it- you had to have another surgery this week? So you’d been dieting all year on zero carbs holding for these shows with a torn abdomen wall?

Mad respect!

And anyone who has anything negative to say about “that was so risky or bad for your health…” - you clearly have never wanted something bad enough in your life that is worth having. So just keep that stuff to yourself.

machinemind · Sep 25, 2023

Amazing story, so much respect for you sir

Quadlife · Sep 25, 2023

bbxtreme said:
Damn man. There is wanting it and then there is that! Any time anyone on here wants to think about complaining about how hard their prep is or if they should give up as SO many do, they need to come read, and hear your story.

For anyone who hasn’t seen his pictures prior to the pro card win, he was deserving of one so many times over. Admittedly, I likely would have given up myself so hats off to you as it makes my set backs feel so small in comparison.

Question as I missed it- you had to have another surgery this week? So you’d been dieting all year on zero carbs holding for these shows with a torn abdomen wall?

Mad respect!

And anyone who has anything negative to say about “that was so risky or bad for your health…” - you clearly have never wanted something bad enough in your life that is worth having. So just keep that stuff to yourself.

Appreciate you bro! Too many times I could have walked away or quit like ya said but I refused!

Yes sir had surgery today! They fixed the abdominal wall which had gotten torn and destroyed during training over the 8 month prep. I was so pumped to do this and get this surgery done! I probly have 1 final surgery this winter to cosmetically fix the abs but other than that il be back in 3-4 wks and post some updates. I won’t lose an ounce of muscle either as I didn’t being 5 months completely off training last year I will still remain on the same diet no deviations that’s key

Quadlife · Sep 25, 2023

machinemind said:
Amazing story, so much respect for you sir

Thank you man!

Deleted member 226465 · Sep 25, 2023

Nothing but respect. Definition of never quit

bbxtreme · Sep 25, 2023

Quadlife said:
Appreciate you bro! Too many times I could have walked away or quit like ya said but I refused!

Yes sir had surgery today! They fixed the abdominal wall which had gotten torn and destroyed during training over the 8 month prep. I was so pumped to do this and get this surgery done! I probly have 1 final surgery this winter to cosmetically fix the abs but other than that il be back in 3-4 wks and post some updates. I won’t lose an ounce of muscle either as I didn’t being 5 months completely off training last year I will still remain on the same diet no deviations that’s key

Was it the robotic surgery? Had a friend who competes at the national level that just had it done. He was back on his feet pretty quick.

For those who don’t know btw- Chris literally stayed at zero carbs most of the year between shows going for this pro card win. I cringe at the thought of that.

I hope guys on here tap into your experience and knowledge as I know how modest of a guy you are, but are a wealth of knowledge in this sport.

Quadlife · Sep 25, 2023

skylarr123 said:
Nothing but respect. Definition of never quit

Thank you bro!

Quadlife · Sep 25, 2023

bbxtreme said:
Was it the robotic surgery? Had a friend who competes at the national level that just had it done. He was back on his feet pretty quick.

For those who don’t know btw- Chris literally stayed at zero carbs most of the year between shows going for this pro card win. I cringe at the thought of that.

I hope guys on here tap into your experience and knowledge as I know how modest of a guy you are, but are a wealth of knowledge in this sport.

It was partly robotic yes , I will rephrase so it was alternating about 17-50 carbs a day with refeeds haha 17 cuz hangry joes serving size is 17 carbs

but yes it was a long vicious prep thank god it paid off

bbxtreme · Sep 25, 2023

Quadlife said:
It was partly robotic yes , I will rephrase so it was alternating about 17-50 carbs a day with refeeds haha 17 cuz hangry joes serving size is 17 carbs but yes it was a long vicious prep thank god it paid off

I think I’d rather have no carbs than 17-50… once you taste it you want more, but then it’s right back to ground zero.

Nobody can take that pro card from you man. Well deserved and earned. Have a speedy recovery man.

strummer · Sep 25, 2023

Much respect sir, You won the Olympia in my eyes!! not many in any walk of life have that kind of persistence and grit..much success to you!!!

Quadlife · Sep 26, 2023

bbxtreme said:
I think I’d rather have no carbs than 17-50… once you taste it you want more, but then it’s right back to ground zero.

Nobody can take that pro card from you man. Well deserved and earned. Have a speedy recovery man.

Thank you brother it was easily one of the best days of my life! Hahah 17 I know useless might as well be zero

Quadlife · Sep 26, 2023

strummer said:
Much respect sir, You won the Olympia in my eyes!! not many in any walk of life have that kind of persistence and grit..much success to you!!!

Thank you bro it honestly felt like I won the Olympia ! Didn’t hit me until backstage then emotions hit hard

alfresco · Sep 26, 2023

Q . . . you are truly an inspiration! What a journey. You are the furthest thing from a quitter I can imagine. Wishing all the best for you.

SOUR DIESEL · Sep 26, 2023

Quadlife said:
22 years! Think about that for a second. Over 2 decades it took me to accomplish this dream!

^^^can we even imagine the uncountable amount of set-backs ..daily discomfort ..physical & emotional pain that you endured thru those 22yrs?!!

..No

your ordeal was long & very serious ..it's the kind of ordeal that "checks your mettle" ..every ..single ..day

..very faaar from a "one-pep-talk-&-done" type of deal

..it's 22yrs of picking yourself up ..daily!!

Quadlife said:
When you go through this type of adversity you fight back with a force that’s almost unrecognizable. These struggles have shown my my purpose in life to help people and lead by example.
To anyone out there struggling mentally or physically, trust me, adversity will make you into a warrior.

^^^brother you'r like the "David Goggins" of bodybuilding

..you can not be killed ..& you will not be denied

Quadlife said:
When you go through this type of adversity you fight back with a force that’s almost unrecognizable.

^^^have to address this one too ..& say "..if only everyone had that"

you are too modest ..what you'v persevered thru here is VERY UNcommon
..your level of courage ..determination ..& discipline is very UNcommon

^^^your "super-power" is NOT common

►regardless, your tenacity ..spirit ..& resolve are inspirational
..it brings us all up-a-level ..it incites & energizes us to persevere against our own personal adversities like you
..instead of empowering our problems ..& ultimately succumbing to them

i think it's quite generous of you to suggest that we might all "..fight back" the same way ..in the same situation
(..i would like to believe it of myself ..but inside i'm vein & i ID with my body too much ..so i dunno?)

..nevertheless it fortifies (..& even re-starts) our will to fight ..rather than to just roll-over
..it's very hard to complain after reading you story

^^^thank you for sharing it with us all

.

Quadlife · Sep 26, 2023

alfresco said:
Q . . . you are truly an inspiration! What a journey. You are the furthest thing from a quitter I can imagine. Wishing all the best for you.

Wow man what a compliment thank you very much!