14 Years Later… 2026 Mr. Western NY

This past weekend I stepped back onto a bodybuilding stage for the first time in 14 years, and somehow walked away as the 2026 NPC Western New York Overall Champion.

When I competed in bodybuilding back in 2011 and 2012, I truly believed I'd never do it again. My focus shifted to powerlifting, where I spent over a decade chasing strength, eventually totaling over 2000lb in competition and also becoming the first powerlifter in Rochester to deadlift 800lbs in competition. Then focus shifted towards coaching, opening Legends, and helping others while still dipping my toes in some competitions here and there and competing in multiply powerlifting. Over the last few years, I underwent three major surgeries and dealt with injury after injury. After tearing my bicep on my last deadlift warmup at RPS Nationals in 2025 at what was supposed to be my comeback powerlifting meet, I knew I had a decision to make. I could dwell on everything that had gone wrong, or I could find a new challenge.

So one year after my last surgery, I committed to bodybuilding and stepped on stage. The prep was HARD. Every meal was weighed, every cardio session got done and there were plenty of days I didn't feel like doing either, but discipline isn't about feeling motivated, it's about following through when your goals matter.

Winning the Light Heavyweight class was an incredible feeling. Winning the Overall title against all of the class winners was something I never expected, but the trophy isn't what means the most to me. The biggest victory is proving that setbacks don't have to define you. Your circumstances don't determine your future, your decisions do. Whether your goal is getting stronger, building muscle, losing body fat, stepping on a platform, competing on stage, or simply becoming healthier, the process is the same… commit, stay consistent, and keep showing up.

Thank you to everyone who followed the journey, supported me throughout prep, and believed in me along the way. Now it's time for the next challenge. Time will tell what that will be.

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