VITAL STATSName: Pocha NoelE-mail: pochanoel@gmail.comAge: 42 Where: Hendersonville, Tennessee Height: 5'9" Weight: 190 Lbs Off 180 Lbs Contest Years Bodybuilding: 2 Favorite Bodypart: Arms Favorite Exercise: Triceps Press Favorite Supplements: Nitric Oxide, Protein, Glutamine
How Did You Get Started?
In September of 1996, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Seven months later I was medically retired from the Navy at the age of thirty. I immediately began to focus on beating this disease. I started working as a personal trainer at the YMCA and began cardio and resistance training. It was not on a serious level but it kept me in shape and gave me more energy.
As time passed my condition progressed. I was hit by a realization that I could no longer do simple tasks, such as stepping onto curbs while walking. About five to six years ago I decided it was time to use my wheelchair. This decision was fueled by my mother's concern for my safety after I experienced several falls which resulted in minor injuries such as a broken finger and bulging disc.
For the past five years I've frequented several bodybuilding competitions such as the Arnold Classic and Mr. Olympia. Watching these competitors who were in phenomenal shape was discouraging at first because I didn't believe it was something that was feasible for me to do.
Fast forward to 2005, this is when I went to the Mr. Tennessee State Bodybuilding Competition. The thought crossed my mind that perhaps this was something I could accomplish. However, I had concerns about competing that included the following; if I would be able to use my wheelchair to wheel myself out onto the stage, having someone take the wheelchair while I posed, and if I would be able to complete the necessary poses due to the limited amount of time I could stand
How Did You Get Started?
In September of 1996, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Seven months later I was medically retired from the Navy at the age of thirty. I immediately began to focus on beating this disease. I started working as a personal trainer at the YMCA and began cardio and resistance training. It was not on a serious level but it kept me in shape and gave me more energy.
As time passed my condition progressed. I was hit by a realization that I could no longer do simple tasks, such as stepping onto curbs while walking. About five to six years ago I decided it was time to use my wheelchair. This decision was fueled by my mother's concern for my safety after I experienced several falls which resulted in minor injuries such as a broken finger and bulging disc.
For the past five years I've frequented several bodybuilding competitions such as the Arnold Classic and Mr. Olympia. Watching these competitors who were in phenomenal shape was discouraging at first because I didn't believe it was something that was feasible for me to do.
Fast forward to 2005, this is when I went to the Mr. Tennessee State Bodybuilding Competition. The thought crossed my mind that perhaps this was something I could accomplish. However, I had concerns about competing that included the following; if I would be able to use my wheelchair to wheel myself out onto the stage, having someone take the wheelchair while I posed, and if I would be able to complete the necessary poses due to the limited amount of time I could stand
No comments:
Post a Comment