Most of you don't know me, but I'm stepping in to hijack my wife's blog for a few minutes! My name is Matt Cappotelli, and I promise to only make one entry so everyone can get back to reading Lindsay's Ramblings, not mine! I enjoy reading her entries because she writes so openly and honestly about her thoughts. She's very transparent, and I hope you all can feel that through her blogs.
I've never been a blogger, but I've been through some crazy challenges in life in the past several years. The newest challenge I'm stepping in to face on November 5th, inspired me to write this entry. The 2011 Kentucky Muscle bodybuilding show is being held tomorrow, and I'm entering.
I grew up an athlete, played football in college, then went on to the world of professional wrestling for 6 years. Around Christmas of 2005, at the height of my professional career, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 brain cancer. I don't remember that being an item on my Christmas list! Needless to say, that was the end of my career and the beginning of the biggest struggle in my life.
Following brain surgery in 2007, I endured 30 radiation treatments and 2 years of Chemotherapy, which culminated in November of 2009. Since that time, everything has remained stable, and I'm so thankful for God's hand in my recovery.
Now, 7 years later and almost 2 years to the day of my last Chemo treatment, I have my sights set on a new challenge - bodybuilding. Over the years of my fight, I constantly think back about all the football games I played, the pro wrestling matches I wrestled, and the years and years that I've trained in the gym...what's next?
The sports have come and gone, but the gym is one place that has never left my everyday life, starting from the time I was 11 years old with my dad, until today. Even through my chemo and radiation, I managed to make myself hit the gym, even if it was for only 10 minutes, even if I was embarrassed to use the 10 lb dumbbells (talk about a shot to the man ego!!)
Triumphs bring new challenges, and I wasn't going to back down from something new. So, just over 3 months ago, I decided to start dieting for my first ever bodybuilding show. Being only one day away from my show, I look back at the last three months of dieting and training in preparation for this bodybuilding show.
Starting out, I didn't grasp how tough it was going to be to be so strict with my diet. I had to constantly be conscious of portions, weighing my food, nutrient timing, preparing all my meals for the week, water intake, sodium, etc, etc. It's exhausting and one of the most disciplined things I've ever had to do. Lindsay and I always eat very clean, but this became so much more than we were both used to - I can see how some people get obsessed and even develop unhealthy habits.
We stuck it out for 3 months and we both helped each other make it through (I think Lindsay was the one who needed the most help, especially when I was not eating carbs!!) Not sure if I will ever do it again, but it's just one more experience that I can check off the list.
The purpose of this challenge is not only for myself to conquer something else, but I want to inspire others through my story. God has placed these challenges on me to overcome, not to let then defeat me. So tomorrow night, November 5th, I will step on the bodybuilding stage for the first time ever and attempt to conquer my next challenge, what's next for you??
http://notafan.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=1:matt-cappotelli
I've never been a blogger, but I've been through some crazy challenges in life in the past several years. The newest challenge I'm stepping in to face on November 5th, inspired me to write this entry. The 2011 Kentucky Muscle bodybuilding show is being held tomorrow, and I'm entering.
I grew up an athlete, played football in college, then went on to the world of professional wrestling for 6 years. Around Christmas of 2005, at the height of my professional career, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 brain cancer. I don't remember that being an item on my Christmas list! Needless to say, that was the end of my career and the beginning of the biggest struggle in my life.
Following brain surgery in 2007, I endured 30 radiation treatments and 2 years of Chemotherapy, which culminated in November of 2009. Since that time, everything has remained stable, and I'm so thankful for God's hand in my recovery.
Now, 7 years later and almost 2 years to the day of my last Chemo treatment, I have my sights set on a new challenge - bodybuilding. Over the years of my fight, I constantly think back about all the football games I played, the pro wrestling matches I wrestled, and the years and years that I've trained in the gym...what's next?
The sports have come and gone, but the gym is one place that has never left my everyday life, starting from the time I was 11 years old with my dad, until today. Even through my chemo and radiation, I managed to make myself hit the gym, even if it was for only 10 minutes, even if I was embarrassed to use the 10 lb dumbbells (talk about a shot to the man ego!!)
Triumphs bring new challenges, and I wasn't going to back down from something new. So, just over 3 months ago, I decided to start dieting for my first ever bodybuilding show. Being only one day away from my show, I look back at the last three months of dieting and training in preparation for this bodybuilding show.
Starting out, I didn't grasp how tough it was going to be to be so strict with my diet. I had to constantly be conscious of portions, weighing my food, nutrient timing, preparing all my meals for the week, water intake, sodium, etc, etc. It's exhausting and one of the most disciplined things I've ever had to do. Lindsay and I always eat very clean, but this became so much more than we were both used to - I can see how some people get obsessed and even develop unhealthy habits.
We stuck it out for 3 months and we both helped each other make it through (I think Lindsay was the one who needed the most help, especially when I was not eating carbs!!) Not sure if I will ever do it again, but it's just one more experience that I can check off the list.
The purpose of this challenge is not only for myself to conquer something else, but I want to inspire others through my story. God has placed these challenges on me to overcome, not to let then defeat me. So tomorrow night, November 5th, I will step on the bodybuilding stage for the first time ever and attempt to conquer my next challenge, what's next for you??
http://notafan.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=1:matt-cappotelli
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| During a match at Ohio Vally Wrestling 2005 |
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| After announcing the news about having brain cancer and surrendering the OVW Heavyweight title 2006 |
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| After having the tumor removed May 2007 |
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| July 2011 |
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| Dieting for the show October 2011 |
Great testimony you have. Here's wishing you all the luck tomorrow and from here on!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the contest. I'm afraid I don't have the physique or discipline to pull that off. I can't believe you were still lifting while undergoing chemo!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to hear some stories from your wrestling days. You should do some more guest posts down the road to share more details about those inspirational experiences.
what an amazing story - wow. Best of luck to you tomorrow - have a great competition!
ReplyDeleteIncredible testimony Matt! Thanks for sharing your story with us. Praise God that you've been able to conquer the challenge of prepping for a show! Congratulations!!
ReplyDeleteMatt, I don't know you but I know Lindsay and she's amazing. We've spoken of you often while I'm manning the front desk at Max Fit. She speaks of you often and you two make an amazing team. You've had a long journey and its so exciting to see you come so far with all the challenges you've faced. Congratulations to you for all you've done and will continue to do!
ReplyDelete