A Winnipeg man has taken up body building as a way to fight off the effects of Parkinson's disease.
Four years ago, 66-year-old Steve Van Vlaenderen was diagnosed with the nervous system disorder.
The disease inhibits motor skills, sometimes resulting in the slurring of speech, stiffness and is well-known for causing visible tremors. Parkinson's painful progression can also leave sufferers bedridden, and there is no cure.
After his initial diagnosis, Van Vlaenderen was left feeling depressed, but instead of throwing in the towel, he hit the gym and started training.
"I had no hope at all -- I'd lost all hope," he said.
"Then I decided to take charge of my own health. I told my partner I was going to go to the gym the next day and here I am."
The 66-year-old, who has a noticeable tremor on the right side of his body, has been weight training for roughly 18 months.
In that time, he has radically overhauled his lifestyle, shedding more than 60 pounds and developing healthy eating habits.
And on Saturday, Van Vlaenderen will compete in the Manitoba Amateur Body Building Association Championship in Winnipeg.
Competitors will be judged based on their ability to pose, control their muscles and show off their physiques.
Training for the event has been no easy task. Van Vlaenderen is in the gym five days a week for two-hour sessions.
"It takes a lot of discipline and control," he said.
His trainer has been sizeably impressed by his dedication.
"For Steve to undertake (this) it's tremendous, it blows me away (and) it's so inspiring," he said.
And Van Vlaenderen doesn't just carry the weight of his own diagnosis on his shoulders, he is hoping that his fight will help inspire others.
"I want to get the message out to people with Parkinson's (to) take charge of your health, learn as much as you can about your own body and help doctors along."
With a report from CTV’s Jill Macyshon
