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SaskiaSport welcomes a new member to our elite training team!
We met Leo a few months ago and began working with him as a novice Men’s Physique competitor. Leo is scheduled to compete for the first time in Florida in November. We were immediately impressed with Leo’s drive, and even more because Leo is a type 1 Diabetic. Bodybuilding is a challenge in itself and much more so if you are managing Type 1 Diabetes.
When we learned that Leo’s dream is to bring the message of hope and living a healthy lifestyle as a Type 1 Diabetic to others, we asked him to share his journey both as a bodybuilder and someone that battles the challenges of Type 1 Diabetes every single day of their life.
So here is Leo!
Greetings new friend!
I created this profile so that you could get to know me and why I am so passionate about getting my message of living a healthy lifestyle and competing in men’s physique as a type 1 Diabetic.
My early days:
I was Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and then moved to Florida at age 27. Growing up in Cleveland was great. I was a bit quiet and shy, an average student, and loved my sports. My dream was to play wide receiver for the Ohio State Buckeyes and then go on to play pro ball.
The day my life changed forever:
When I was 7 something happened that both shattered and shaped my life to this day.
I was at the grocery store and was complaining that I was really hungry. My mom gave me a box of doughnuts. I ate 4 or 5 and then became very thirsty. I grabbed some cherry coke and drank it. I started feeling sick, but not sick enough to be alarmed. I went over to a friends house and was playing, but kept having to pee.
When I got home, my mom actually said to turn off the water faucet. When I told her that was not the water faucet and that I was going to the bathroom, she started to realize something was not right. Over that next week I lost 14lbs and my parents knew something was wrong. I went in for testing and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Something had gone haywire with my immune and my body was not producing insulin. Virtually overnight I went from living a normal childhood to being stigmatized with being a diabetic, learning how to give myself insulin, and eating a severely restricted diet.
I can’t describe to you the agony I endured as a 7 year old after being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, learning that for the rest of my life I will live with a terrible disease that effects everyday of my life, not to mention an increased risk of heart disease, and other complications later in life.
Let’s just leave it that I think about that day I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes even now; every single day!
When I was younger I didn’t talk about it, and never told anyone. I never publicly came out that I was diabetic until I was 21, due the stigma, and fact that people treat you differently.
Luckily my third grade teach was an angel. She was also diabetic and made sure that the kids didn’t make fun of me, and she explained to them why I couldn’t eat cake or candies when we had treats at school.
A New Direction To My Life:
I continued to deal with my diabetes and played sports, and By my junior high school I began to realize that even though I had the desire to play for the Buckeyes and later pro ball, I didn’t have the talent. I was fast but just not big enough.
It was in high school that I became hooked on bodybuilding and competing as in the men’s physique class. A strength coach pulled me aside and told me I needed to focus on bodybuilding to get bigger. He also encouraged me to focus on men’s physique due to the fact that I was thin.
I graduated high school at 5’9. I actually was late bloomer. I attended Lakeland Community College in Cleveland and majored in business. Upon graduation I had grown to 6’0.
I am thankful for that strength coaches guidance. I competed twice in Ohio as a natural bodybuilder and now in Florida I have a contest planned for Nov. 17th in the Men’s Physique class.
My Dream:
My dream and passion is to bring the message of living a healthy lifestyle, and using bodybuilding as a vehicle to promote health and fitness, especially for Type 1 diabetics.
It’s a daily challenge to keep my glucose levels stabilized. I get frustrated sometimes, but I find strength in keeping a positive attitude, making healthy food choices, training for health/fitness as well as competitions, and putting my faith in God for guidance.
I also enjoy traveling, going to the beach, and spending time with family and friends!
If this strikes a chord with you please feel free to follow me or subscribe to my newsletter/blog.
I would love to hear from you and learn more about the challenges that you are facing.
