In 1999, my wife was pregnant with our second child. We already had a 4 year-old son and this one would be our first daughter and second child. At the time, I was 31 and excited to be a new parent. My only concern: I was pushing 270 pounds and later found out my body fat was a whopping 38%. How was I ever going to keep up with my kids? They were my motivation to get started into this whole fitness thing. After all, I didn't want to be short of breath playing football or building doll houses. I didn't like the way I looked or felt; my weight was out of hand.

So I joined the local gym and was assessed. I still have my first workout card, which included recommended weights and sets. The one that particularly stands out: Bench Press: 30# dumbbells for a set of 12. I guess we all have to start somewhere.

I became obsessed. Hitting the gym 5-6 days a week...pushing myself on the treadmill and in the weight room until I started seeing a real transformation of my body - and mind and soul. It felt good to be thinner, lighter, and stronger. As time went by, I started taking shape of someone in shape - the look of a bodybuilder, yet I still had no intention - or even thought of - competing. Just wanted to do my thing in the gym, get the looks, get the questions, pump the ego.

Then, last March, seven years after I walked in the gym for the first time, my wife Jeannette took me to the Arnold Classic in Ohio. Listening to Arnold in his training seminar, seeing Victor Martinez win the show, walking the Expo, and sizing myself against the other Expo-goers (and amateur bodybuilders), I became inspired to compete. After all, at nearly 40, why do I continue to do this? For the incessant "how-much-you-bench" questions?

I respect Victor and the other contestants, but I was really rooting for Mark Dugdale. He has a wife. He has kids. And he is at that level. He was my inspiration. Granted, he is a professional, but it showed that achieving this level can be done with a family - but, later I find out, not without their support. Mark was on stage (and I think the only one) with a wedding ring. As I will be on December 1.

Looking at the NPC calendar, I first planned on competing in March in Jeff Taylor's Boulder show. But as all body builders do, I pushed it until December and have it pushed it hard since the Arnold. At the Arnold, I was 235# and probably 15% body fat. In June, I was 230# and 12%. Today, with the inspiration gained the Arnold, the support of my family, God, and more strict eating and lifting, I am at 4% body fat, 194#, and extremely excited about competing in the NPC Cyto Charge Rocky Mountain Bodybuilding Championships, Denver 1, at East High School.

People ask me if I still plan on the March show. I don't know. I am just thrilled I have made it this far. The diet, the new levels of intensity, the advice from former competitors, and the enhanced body transformation has been amazing, inspiring, yet no doubt wearing on the family. They are my first priority. Regardless, it has given me a new level of respect for all competitors and for all people wanting to lose weight. I am not going to lie: I hope I leave Denver with a piece of metal. I know I will leave with an amazing experience. Ultimately, I want to leave knowing that I did all I could do to achieve victory and that, through my experience, I can inspire others to achieve their own successes.

Finally, Beau Jo's Pizza, Benny's Tequila Bar, the Denver Diner, and yet to be named Italian restaurant will be seeing me real soon.

by Paul Hansen

For information about this event go to www.jefftaylor.com