Last Visit: Today, 2:14pm Last Forum Post: Aug 18, 2008 1:56pm Last Photo Upload: May 28, 2008 12:45pm Last Profile Update: Today, 1:33pm Last Blog Post: Jul 21, 2008 4:52pm
"I am honored to have placed 10th in the 2007 Canadian Body for Life Challenge. My wife (Bodyspace: judimax) and I have dedicated our lives to helping eradicate the epidemic of obesity that is crippling our population."
Personal Info And Background:
Real Name:
Errol N. Hannigan
Sex:
Male
Age:
59
Location:
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Occupation:
Writer / Fitness Ambassador
Personal Website:
Gym:
Global Fitness
Gym Location:
Kelowna, British Columbia
When I Started:
Jan, 2007
How I Started:
My left leg had to be amputated at about mid thigh because of what became a life threatening infection, which was all due to the surgeon missing the initial signs of the infection. The amputation came after I had already undergone 17 major surgeries including seven partial and total knee replacements over a span of 12 years. Following the amputation came what I can only describe as horrific 24 hour a day phantom pain. This phantom pain forced me to ingest over 2400 mg’s of morphine per day just to cut it down to what I call a bearable level. According to the doctors, the amount of morphine I was consuming would be enough to sedate or even terminate 8 to 10 ordinary adult males, but for whatever reason they said that my pain “eats” the morphine and while taking a portion of the pain away does not allow me any euphoric effects.
Along with the pain came a deep and very dark depression. I would just sit around the house feeling sorry for myself, eating junk food on top of junk food, getting fatter by the day and self-medicating with up to 3 bottles of wine per night. One day after much thought and feeling totally hopeless and that all was lost, I just broke. I decided on a room, loaded my pistol, taped a bunch of plastic garbage bags to the wall because I didn’t want to leave too much of a mess for someone else to clean up and went and more or less told but still asked my wife to give me permission to take my own life so that I could end the pain and suffering.
Long story a bit shorter, amazingly she was very calm and said that the man she married would never quit, never give up and never back down from a fight. And seeing as my wife had after over 2 years of extensive testing been recently diagnosed with both Lupus and Fibromyalgia, she said that the man she knew would never leave the one he loved when she needed him the most. Those words from my wife along with the fact that the Lord frowns on suicide hit me in the heart and I unloaded my gun and put away any thoughts of taking my life and resigned myself to doing my best to look after my wife while living a life of pain and depression. This feeling continued on until my wife said that her doctor told her that she needed to start exercising to help fight her Lupus and the fact that she was gaining a lot of weight, so after much discussion my wife talked me into taking the "Body For Life Challenge” with her. Not believing that it would do much good I kind of went through the motions but still followed the program. After about a month I started seeing some small changes in my body. These changes propelled me to try harder and along with fighting through painful cardio (because of blisters from my artificial leg rubbing me raw) I just kept challenging myself and the changes saw me go from over 36% body fat to about 13% and also I had new muscle growth, which at my age I thought impossible. So believing the Lord works in mysterious ways and getting such great results along with relief from my pain I am no longer broken and feel as though I have been reborn and have never been more focused in my life. I have no intentions of stopping and intend to push this old body as hard as I can to see where it can take me.
That's what got me started working out.
Why I Love It:
After my leg was amputated I felt so much less of the man that I used to be, I became so depressed and saddened that I actually broke and was just minutes away from committing suicide and with the development of my outer strength I have also acquired inner strength, and I am slowly becoming the man I want to be. I am no longer broken but feel as though I have been reborn and now have a purpose. Amazingly it brings me relief from my phantom pain, which is the worst pain I have ever known. The doctors all have their theories about why this happens but none can actually explain why the phantom pain goes away only after I start to lift weights and stays away for 1 ½ to 2 full hours after I leave the gym, giving me 2 ½ to 3 hours respite. It does not go away with cardio, only by lifting weights so I must give weightlifting it’s due.
Equally, I have also watched my wife who has and really suffers from the effects of Lupus and Fibromyalgia cope so much better with the ravages of those diseases because of her exercise and bodybuilding regime. It gave her back a part of her life that she had previously lost and who couldn’t help but love that?
How I Stay Motivated:
Previously, I would have said that I was motivated by what I had managed to accomplish to this point and what I hoped to accomplish in the future, but now I need to change that. I now find myself motivated by other people. Not only those that I read about here on Bodybuilding.com, which could easily be motivation enough, but also those who write me and leave such wonderful and inspiring comments and personal messages. I am motivated by those who say that I am an inspiration to them and those who say reading about what I have done motivates them to push themselves harder. How could I not be motivated by those words? Their words motivate me and keep me focused. The lady who is overweight and despite thinking that she can’t lose that weight pushes on because of my results motivates me. I am motivated by the person in the wheel chair who is still finding the strength to workout despite all they must be going through. I am especially motivated by my wife, who despite having Lupus and Fibromyalgia needs to push herself to extremes just to find enough energy to get to the gym never mind working out, which she still manages to do in a most energetic and professional way. I could go on and on but I think you see by these words why I am now motivated by others instead of what I have or was trying to accomplish, and am I ever glad that it turned out this way.
BB Accomplishments:
It is not a bodybuilding accomplishment as much as it is a body transformation accomplishment but I was chosen 10th overall in the 2007 Canadian Body for Life Challenge. I am elated over this as I didn’t even expect to be considered let alone finish so high up and to be included in the company of such fantastic people who worked so hard and achieved so much is an honour. Not only did I lose almost 30% of my body fat but I am also seeing new muscle growth and with me going to be 60 on my next birthday I am excited at the prospects for the future.
Forum Signature:
My real goal and that of my wife is to assist people in overcoming the obstacles that are stopping them from achieving the weight loss they desire and reaching their fitness goals and/or dreams. That is my idea of true bodybuilding.
Last Updated: Jul 13, 2008 12:59pm
Progress Pictures
Jan 21, 2007
May 6, 2008
This was taken the first day that I started working out at the gym. I was fat, depressed and knew that if I didn't do something about my body now I never would.
Taken on my way to the change room after my workout.
I am honored to have placed 10th in the 2007 Canadian Body for Life Challenge. My wife (Bodyspace: judimax) and I have dedicated our lives to helping eradicate the epidemic of obesity that is crippling our population.
Goal (Long):
After losing my leg I thought I was so much less of a man and hated who I was but with weight lifting and the proper eating habits I saw myself becoming someone that I liked being and now I want to try and turn my body into something that I can be extremely proud of.
Also, perhaps even more importantly, as a personal trainer I want to "represent" what anyone can do with the right desire, drive and determination and help my clients get where they want to be.
My goal for my body is to get a body fat level in the single digits and to put on good, solid, lean muscle and push myself to see what my age and genetics will allow me to become.
My major goal is to finish the book I am writing about bodybuilding and how it changed my life, my wife’s and number of my clients and a few of the “just regular” folks right here on Bodybuilding.com. I want it to be about not only my journey but more importantly about how anyone can get into the best shape of their lives no matter what their age, sex or physical ability if they follow the simple methods that I will lay out in easy to understand terms.
What is the most dangerous weightlifting exercise? Why?
Behind the neck presses.
Mostly because it puts enormous strain on the rotator cuff and other shoulder muscles. It must be done correctly by slowly lowering the bar behind the head until the bar reaches just to the top of the ears and them press upwards right away. Too many people let the bar come down too far and take the exercise away from being a shoulder developer to being a shoulder wrecker.Behind the neck presses.
Mostly because it puts enormous strain on the rotator cuff and other shoulder muscles. It must be done correctly by slowly lowering the bar behind the head until the bar reac...more
- Updated Jul 22, 2008 4:48pm
Which pro bodybuilder/fitness/figure competitor has the ideal physique? Why?
The ideal physique for me is something that a person could achieve without the help or need of taking steroids. I look at an old school guy like Frank Zane and I don’t know if he did or he didn’t but he gives me the impression that his body was obtained without the use of steroids. Nowadays the mainstream bodybuilding magazines contain overly large and virtually unattainable (without steroids) physiques.
The only magazines that show pictures of bodies that I would like to achieve are “natural” bodybuilding ones. The ideal physique for me is something that a person could achieve without the help or need of taking steroids. I look at an old school guy like Frank Zane and I don’t know if he did or he didn’t ...more
- Updated Jul 5, 2008 4:25pm
Have you ever had a lifting injury?
Yes
What type of injury was it? How long were you injured? How did you recover?
Shoulder injury. I was unable to use my arm for about 2 weeks. Rest, ice and joint care supplements.
Weightlifting:
I do one bodypart per workout on a 4 workout per week routine. Mon & Tue on, Wed off, Thur & Fri on, Sat & Sun off. I rotate the bodyparts as they come up on the schedule.
My schedule is: chest – back – triceps – biceps – leg & delts.
I use both...
I have looked into the 12 week body for life plan a little. I run on a pretty tight budget though. For the most part I eat the same thing everyday for a week then switch it up the next week. Does it cost much to do this plan(purchase it and/or prepare all of the meals etc)?
How are you Errol? I wanted to leave you an update and tell you that I lost my first 30lbs. And to tell you that your blog entries have been very helpful along the way. Thanks!
-Josh
Your story is very inspiring. I battle with depression and other ailments on a daily basis as well and I know what its like to want to end your own life. You have turned around and made something great of yourself and the fact that you help others reach their own goals is amazing to me. I added you as a friend, hope thats ok.
Hi captain, thanks. having some difficulties, training 3 days a week, but i just don't feel that im making any progress. and the weight seems to stay there. but i know i have lost inches. and gained muscle.. just a wee bit disheartening.
Hi Captain Ahab, I remember what you said about Body for Life and how you and your wife had such remarkable results.. well, I'm going to do it this quarter. I've been looking and researching it. I recently started my own journal of sort, but thought, what the heck, a little added boost from this program, 12 weeks, what do I have to lose but nasty fat. Thanks for the heads up!! Today I started! Take care
Hi Captain, I guess there are no ways around it, eating right is 99% of the game. I never ate healthly, I'm making great progress now, however, it's hard to find a balance of how much, and when to eat.I know 5 or 6 small meals a day, any helpful hints for a rookie eater. Thanks for your time. Mike.
thanks for the excellent advice on lossing the fat but keeping/ building the bulk with high protein, low gi frequent meals... i'll refine my process.
thanks Captain
Between how you got statrted, your motivation, your accomplishments, and your goals ... I'm speechless. Truly, you are an inspiration.
Best of luck to you and yours always.
Your story is truly inspiring and you have a great great supporter and training partner. Keep up the good work!
johnguest
Sep 1, 2008 10:02pm
thanks Errol I do know the FL stuff very well it is what has gotten me started and I have had much success with however this time around I will be much stricter on my diet and I didn't used to the HIIT training but now I will I hope with some hard work I will get where I want to be. by the way you and your wife have both made grate turnarounds I commend all that you have been through Thanks again and good bye
Hey Capt.
I'm sorry not to have answered your posts earlier, but I was away from this site for far too long. I was long gone before you ever left me a message, in fact.
I just read your profile; Amazing! That's all I can say. I'm not sure if you were able to find answers on your documentary question, but though I am no longer in the business, I would be happy to help you find someone to help you.
Thanks for the inspiration!
