Posted 11:33 pm Saturday, July 21, 2012
Send to Kindle
32 Bodybuilders Ready For Show
By COSHANDRA DILLARD
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Mayor Barbara Bass has declared today Purebody Nutrition Extravaganza Day, and the hosts of the city's first-ever bodybuilding show, Will and Alicia Burgin, are excited about bringing awareness of the sport to Tyler.
Prejudging will begin at 10 a.m. at Caldwell Auditorium and the final judging will begin at 6 p.m.
The Burgins, owners of Purebody Nutrition on South Broadway Avenue, have each participated in bodybuilding shows.
"This is one of those culminating events to see people going from being just gym rats -- and people hanging out at the gym -- to being an inspiration story on the stage," Burgin said Friday during a news conference.
There will be 32 bodybuilders competing today, many of whom are first-timers. Some veteran bodybuilders will compete to receive a professional card. The ages of the competitors range from 20 to 58. Many are middle-aged women, Mrs. Burgin said.
"We're just here to inspire the world and let them know that bodybuilding is another way of getting fit," she said.
During the competition, the audience will hear an inspiring story from fellow bodybuilder and guest speaker Randy Tiner.
The Houston resident lost his arm following a motorcycle accident in 1999, but he didn't let that deter him from accomplishing a great feat.
But it did take him a few years to gain control of his life. He said he lived recklessly and got into trouble with authorities before he found hope in 2010.
"At that point I decided I was done drinking and doing all of the stuff that I was doing," Tiner said.
Tiner only has competed for about one year, and his fourth show is in four weeks. He quickly gained popularity as he received attention because of his disability.
"There's not a lot of people out there doing what I am doing," he said.
He and his wife then started a foundation for handicapped athletes. They sponsor and motivate them to regain self-reliance, which Tiner said is sometimes lost following a tragic accident.
"We wanted to use the publicity I was getting to help others," he said.
His message to athletes today will be one about positivity and dedication.
"No matter what challenges they may be facing, no matter what goals they have, whether physical fitness or goals in life, anything is possible if they are dedicated and desire to work hard," Tiner said.
