“On our first meeting, I was worried because Barry could barely climb the stairs to his treadmill test. He flunked his fitness evaluation so I made him see a doctor. Barry said he was a doctor and laughed. He said it’s just asthma. Barry tried to convince me it was asthma. I have asthma so I knew it wasn’t asthma. The routine physician released him to work out and find out what was wrong with his breathing an emergency pacemaker and defibrillator were installed due to sleep apnea coupled with a congenital heart defect. With Barry’s heart doctor’s okay, we saw his determination and hope deepen.

The breathing machine for sleep apnea and the pacemaker corrected the heartbeat, so we got permission to gradually work up from slow workouts 2 days a week to 5 days a week and ten 45-minute sessions of cardio a week. He also attended all video posing practices and professional photography sessions to see how he was coming in. Others wouldn’t dream of getting up before work and then coming back after a busy day, or following a very strict diet for 12 weeks. That’s what it takes to look like this for a contest. Barry trained like a champion, integrated laser surgery into his dentistry business, rescues animals, and continues to be a devoted husband and father of four. He even has a cute therapy dog in his dental office. Barry’s success story is an inspiration. He is a champion, role model, and inspiration to all of us.”