Official NZWBBF interview with bodybuilding champion, and single-amputee, Daniel Strong Interviewed by David Robson Competitive bodybuilding for people with physical disabilities is part of a growing movement focused on inspiring the less able-bodied to take up the iron in an attempt to improve their condition and experience the thrill of competition. Established in the US, in 1994, wheelchair bodybuilding has afforded many people with disabilities a chance to explore their physical capabilities and compete. With the burgeoning success of wheelchair bodybuilding has sprung additional, separate categories for non-wheelchair users with disabilities, the so-called standing disabled classes. Now, with the advent of organisations such as the New Zealand Wheelchair Body Building Federation (NZWBBF), people from as far afield as New Zealand can contest against the best in their respective disability classes. One man who is as good as it gets within the disabled bodybuilding community, and who is an inspiration to all bodybuilders with disabilities, is Daniel Strong, a 40-year-old single-amputee who in 2006 lost his right lower leg in an accident which claimed the life of his wife and unborn child. A former football player, Daniel, post injury, further parlayed his natural athletic abilities into a sport he could successfully compete in: bodybuilding. In an NZWBBF exclusive, the INBA/PNBA Philip Ricardo Legends Classic overall champion and newly crowned pro bodybuilder talks about how life with a disability has not stopped him from pursuing, and achieving, sporting excellence. NZWBBF: When did you begin training with weights and what were your initial goals? Daniel Strong: I began training with weights in high school to get stronger for football. NZWBBF: You have great genetics for bodybuilding. How far did you originally aim to go in this sport? Daniel Strong: Thank you for the compliment. I guess I have to thank my parents for the good genes. I did not have any specific plans for how far I could take it; I just decided to compete one day and move forward from there. Sometimes when youre on a journey, you dont know exactly where it’s going to take you, but as you move along you start to see a clearer path. NZWBBF: Could you describe the accident that led to your disability? How far had you progressed as a bodybuilder before your accident? Daniel Strong: My wife and I were journeying to North Carolina from Maryland to visit family. Unfortunately I lost control of my vehicle and we were thrown from it; as we were lying on the road the vehicle rolled and landed on us. This led to the death of my wife and unborn child, in addition to my amputation and various other injuries such as a fractured tibia and fibula. I now have a rod through my tibia on my good side. I had also fractured my pelvis and sacrum prior to the accident. I progressed pretty well as a bodybuilder prior to my accident. I won some local shows and a regional event; I also competed in the Team Universe NPC show, a national show. NZWBBF: Did you resolve to continue training for bodybuilding following your accident? How did you go about transitioning back into training? Daniel Strong: No, I did not really know what I was going to do because at that time I owned a small gym and I was a personal trainer. Facing all these new trials and obstacles, I did not know exactly what was going to happen; whether I would give the gym up or stop training. But through my faith in God I kept moving forward, one day at a time. I started going to the gym in my wheelchair initially and just began working out this way. Then I began looking at the weights and I decided I would at least try to lift a little and get myself into some type of shape. It all started from there. NZWBBF: How difficult was it for you to adjust to life with a disability? Daniel Strong: It was definitely very difficult as I knew I would forever be changed. You have to learn new ways to do everything and learn how to navigate through life again. You have to become much more patient with yourself and others. NZWBBF: What unique challenges did training with a disability present? How did you overcome these? Daniel Strong: Training with a disability presents many unique challenges. For example, there are strength disparities between the different sides of the body; balance issues; coordination and stability are affected. Also you have to learn how to try new techniques and a variety of exercises to overcome these difficulties while being very determined to overcome every obstacle that is presented. NZWBBF: How often have you competed post-accident and what has been your highest placement? Daniel Strong: Ive competed three times. In my first competition, the MTC Maryland State, I placed third [in June, 2012]; in my next competition, the NPC Jay Cutler Classic, I placed 10th. On August the 16th I competed in the INBA/PNBA Philip Ricardo Legends Classic and won the overall and the masters over 40 as well as the physically challenged standing division. Best of all, I earned my pro card. I feel extremely blessed and privileged that I won my pro card against able-bodied competitors. NZWBBF: What classes and divisions do you compete in? Daniel Strong: I usually compete in the light heavy or heavy class. I compete in several different divisions: the open division, the over-40 masters division and, if it’s available, the physically challenged standing division. NZWBBF: What is your current competition weight and what do you weigh in the offseason? Daniel Strong: My current competition weight is 175lbs. I came down this time from 225lbs but in the off season I have been as heavy as 240lbs. NZWBBF: What psychological barriers (if any) did your disability present upon your deciding to pursue further bodybuilding goals? Daniel Strong: Initially, when people would ask what I could compete again, I quickly said no. My thoughts were centered on who wants to see someone up there with half a leg, and how am I going to get into competition shape not being able to push through certain exercises and cardiovascular movements as hard as I would like to. But where theres a will, theres a way. There are various ways that you can manipulate your diet and cardio, with a bike or with your arms. Its definitely tough psychologically and you have to be very strong to train through a disability and still compete against able-bodied athletes. Im looking forward to competing in the INBA because I can also compete against others that have disabilities. NZWBBF: What are your views on the notion of disability? Do you think this label can impose limits on an individual’s ability to overcome adversity? Daniel Strong: I have no negative views on the notion of disability because if youre speaking of it truthfully, it is a disability, but that does not mean you are unable to do anything. It poses obstacles, but as disabled athletes you learn overcome them. I think it opens doors for those that are disabled or physically challenged. NZWBBF: What advice would you give to a prospective bodybuilder who plans to compete with a disability but is undecided as to whether they should take the plunge? Daniel Strong: If youre thinking about it, do it! Dont think too long, though. Its always good to challenge yourself and move forward in a positive direction. NZWBBF: Could you describe your training approach? Daniel Strong: Im a natural bodybuilder. I train five days a week. Right now I train each body part once a week and I like to train heavy most of the time, but I also like to switch it up. The body needs change. Sometimes I incorporate the 5-8 rep range; sometimes 8-12. You should mix up your exercises and order of exercises to keep your body constantly growing and adapting. NZWBBF: How do you structure your pre contest diet? Daniel Strong: This time my pre contest diet consisted of six meals a day: primarily of egg whites, whole eggs, chicken breast, fish and lean red meat. My carbs are brown rice, sweet potatoes and lots of vegetables. NZWBBF: What do you do to counter water retention in the final week before hitting the stage? Daniel Strong: Up your sodium and water intake for few days and then begin to reduce it as the contest approaches. I normally increase my water intake about six days prior to the contest; I increase it to about three gallons a day for three days (Monday through Wednesday), then on Thursday I cut back to two gallons. On Friday I reduce it to one gallon and then on Saturday I just sip water throughout the day. I dont eliminate sodium completely. From Monday through to Wednesday leading up to a contest I will have my normal amount of sodium. I start cutting it back just a little on Thursday and Friday; then on Saturday I might just have a little salt on my sweet potatoes or the salt that my rice is made with so, again, its not completely eliminated, but its reduced. NZWBBF: When will you next compete and what are your long-term bodybuilding goals? Daniel Strong: My next competition will be this Saturday August 16th, 2014, and I have another competition coming up August 30th, 2014. After that Ill reassess where Im at and go from there. Note: On August the 30th Daniel competed in the Natural Universe and is currently awaiting the overall results (check this page for the outcome and further updates on Daniel’s bodybuilding successes). He did however win the physically challenged standing division and best poser awards. He says he is happy with his first show as a Pro.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 21:55:34 +0000
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