Shaun McLare - Bodybuilding With Cystic Fibrosis

[admin]

What the hell does Cystic Fibrosis have to do with bodybuilding? Well for me it has everything to do with bodybuilding. I'm 23, live in Melbourne, Australia and was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at 18 months of age. Here is my story about how I got big to save my life.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/cystic.htm

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[dez/null]

good story everyone should read about it...

[Pboy]

WOW!!! What if everyone had an attitutde like your's? I dare anyone to read this article and then whine about being a "hard-gainer".

[cnsbradford]

how can i get in touch with that guy?

[bigjay00]

great artical!

[markw]

Hi Shaun,

I am 25years old, live in Sydney and also have CF. I have been weightlifting for just under three years now and have discovered the huge difference this has made for me. Id say that my health has improved dramatically.
I just want to say that i admire your email as it shows that you not only have guts but are determined to not let CF take over your life. You are an inspiration to us all, keep it up mate.
cheers.

Man, I love people like this. Keep that attitude positive! Fight it all the way! You are 100% on the right track, and it's a tragedy that many sufferers of incurable chronic conditions never "get their minds right", roll over and begin to slowly die.

I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 11 years ago (I'm almost 40 now), and fully expected to be wheeling myself around by now. It gets worse and it gets better, but the extra muscle mass and strength I get through weight training and stationary cycling during the good times keep me from being a couch potato when things get bad. I just entered a remission period in about july and I've put on about 20 lbs in the last 3 months, with the target of 60 more lbs to get back to my comfortable weight of ~200lbs in 9 more months (yep, I got down to ~120, that's the way it goes when your nervous system goes on vacation).

In a few years I'll probably swing the other way and start another period of exacerbation, but I'll just fight it out and come out the other end super skinny but on the way up again. I take no drugs for my MS, since none of them can cure me, so I just do without. The only thing I take is iron...CAST IRON and good food!

I'll give up when they put me in a pine box, holding a hex dumbbell on my chest! (a 50 pounder, that's in my will, I kid you not, my family will make sure it's there when they close the lid)

Keep up the great work! You're inspiring millions as you walk the talk. And what's best, you'll never have to ask yourself, "What if..."

Blessings on you!

[Spaniard]

A good friend of mine has a 4 year old son with the disease.

I know it may be a bit too early for the kid to start pumping iron but I have sent him the link ... motivation.. essential.

I hope it cheers him up a bit... every little helps after all.

Regards to all...

I

[Canarian Roy]

yep, that was one of the first articles i read when i discovered bb.com and to be honest, it motivated me a lot.
its really nice to see that weightlifting has helped someone get thru life

[SeanO'Malley]

Hey,
I really enjoyed your article, I am 16 and live in Pennsylvania, I too have Cystic Fibrosis. Your story has really given me alot more hope about life. Early in my life I never seemed to go into the hospital, but around two years ago I had a few run-ins with infection and was put in the hospital several times. So while in the hospital I decided the hell with this place, I decided I would do whatever it took to keep myself healthy and out of the hospital. I began taking my theraphy and medications faithfully, and I also started working out. Just like you I was skinny, I was 5'6 105lbs. I started using Creatine Monohydrate before and after workouts and began taking Whey Protein shakes after wokouts, I am now somewhere areoung 5'9 140lbs. This begining to workout I have not had one run-in with infection or been placed in the hospital. I feel and look alot better, and I just want to say to any person out there suffering with C.F. dont give up hope, and take your medications and thephies faithfully it definetly makes a huge difference. I would also like to recommend working out, it seems to help. Thanks for your time. Happy Holidays.

[Canarian Roy]

Originally posted by SeanO'Malley
Hey,
I really enjoyed your article, I am 16 and live in Pennsylvania, I too have Cystic Fibrosis. Your story has really given me alot more hope about life. Early in my life I never seemed to go into the hospital, but around two years ago I had a few run-ins with infection and was put in the hospital several times. So while in the hospital I decided the hell with this place, I decided I would do whatever it took to keep myself healthy and out of the hospital. I began taking my theraphy and medications faithfully, and I also started working out. Just like you I was skinny, I was 5'6 105lbs. I started using Creatine Monohydrate before and after workouts and began taking Whey Protein shakes after wokouts, I am now somewhere areoung 5'9 140lbs. This begining to workout I have not had one run-in with infection or been placed in the hospital. I feel and look alot better, and I just want to say to any person out there suffering with C.F. dont give up hope, and take your medications and thephies faithfully it definetly makes a huge difference. I would also like to recommend working out, it seems to help. Thanks for your time. Happy Holidays.

id recommend you to join us in the forums, you will learn a lot here and you will get plenty of motivation!
very good progress, 35 lbs is damn a lot of weight, get another 35 more and you will look awesome.
Happy holidays to you too, and join us, you wont regret it ;)

[laulau418]

Your article was amazing - as are you!
You should be feel so proud of yourself!
What a truly moving story. I have no doubt that you will achieve all that you dream of!

[Unregistered]

That is a great story. I'm Brian, 18 yrs old. I live in Rome, NY (near Syracuse) and also have CF. I've been exercising five days a week, for about a year now. 5'9" 160 lbs. But you're right, though, no matter how much I work on my calves they don't grow like everything else.

I luckily do not have CF badly (my lung function is 140%). I have never been hospitalized b/c of CF, and I go to Upstate Medical University every 3 months for a checkup. It's because of this constant attention that I do so well. Also, UMU is the best CF Clinic east of the Mississippi. But that does not mean that I'm not limited like anyone else w/ CF.

My goal was to be the first man with CF to join the Marine Corps, but because the Marines do not allow people on prescription drugs to join, I could not. However, when CF is cured (and it will be, check out the CF Foundation for new discoveries, such as a new drug to be tested in September 04) I'll be at the ROTC office in a heartbeat. I run 8 miles every Friday, and ride my bike 4 miles every day for cardio.

Lance Armstrong was also an influence on me. My friends and I like to watch videos and bios of Lance. Saun, Sean, and Mark, you guys are heroes. You all have taught us readers to (as the USAF says) "Aim High, and Push Your Envelope". Cheers, and God Bless.

[-tiger1982-]

I am 22 year old female with Cystic Fibrosis who lives in NZ. I have got my first competition in 5 weeks (figure class) and Im so excited - ive beaten the odds and transformed my body into something that the doctors said CF would prevent me from doing. Congrats to all my fellow CF'ers out there who are doing the same and refusing to wrap themselves up in cotton wool and protect themselves from the world!!

[Unregistered]

An interesting story. My son has CF - during his adolescence he was very non compliant with treatment, was smoking and his health gradually deteriorated, he was very thin and looked terrible. At around 17 he suddenly decided he was sick of being a runt and gave up smoking, started taking his enzymes (still doesn't do much physio/other drug treatment) and lifting weights!! He also used some kind of body building powder (macrowhey??) but now uses creatine - like you he went from hovering around 52kilos for previous 3 years to currently around 73kilos, his FEV1 went back up to what it had been 4 years before (around 104%) and he looks buff!! Still has his chicken legs but they're looking better and finally he will wear shorts and go to beach. His health has improved markedly and he hasn't been in hospital for IV for over 2 years (previously going in 2-4 times). I don't know how much the body building/weight lifting has directly affected his CF but he feels good about his body now and that makes a huge difference to his attitude to life in general.

[ravadongon]

I only heard about CF the other day (actually in a Human Bio Exam). Nasty condition. Props to the author of the article and any others out there for fighting against it.

[Cerulean]

Loved your post Shaun. I too live with cystic fibrosis. I am 37 years old and, I must say, you had/have it rougher than I. My CF manifests itself more in digestive problems rather than respiratory. Despite this I was diagnosed late last year with Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes (CFRD). My health declined rapidly before the diagnosis and I had severe muscle wasting. So life sucks, I have two major diseases to contend with.

I started lifting in Jan 2005 in order to gain back my muscle tone and increase my strength. I'm getting quite toned and now I don't want to stop! I am now on my second month and am doing quite well.

CF really never bothered me nearly as much as most of my peers and my diabetes is (relatively) under control with insulin injections. I consider myself EXTREMELY lucky. It saddens me to see other CF patients in my area battling CF so fervently (and sometimes loosing) while I go on with minimal problems.

It is encouraging that there are others out there though, just like me.

[Unregistered]

Hey ,

I 'm a 19 yo chick from Perth & also have CF. Your story was wiked...

I've always been so self conscious cus of being so skinny because of CF..... A few years ago I was pretty depressed about cf & life SO i started not doing my treatments and started partying and smoking.....My health started to get pretty bad. After a lot of time in hospital and a lot of help from my mates, I finally started improving and somehow managed 2 get in2 uni.

Recently, i've started to excercise and I've found it's helping a lot with infections and confidence.... At the momment I look the healthiest I have 4 a long time......I'm now 49kg, and actually feeling much more happy & positive about life.

Your type of story is what makes me feel that theres hope 4 my future.

cheers :)

[Alexander B.]

Hi!

I just bumped into ure page thorugh google, looking for something else actually.

My name is Alexander and i also suffer from CF!
I live in Germany, but my mother is american. I hope my english isn't too bad...

I know how it is to live negative with CF thats why my mum always tried to keep the sad fact away from me, that u dont live too long.

Well, i do sports and i really feel the difference! Especially the chest and back muscles improved, which are the important muscles u need to train when u hav CF i suppose.
A great site you have there, stay with it ;)

I can only live that positive knowing that CF WILL be cured some day and i hope it will be a day where im still alive. I try everything for good health!

I dont smoke nor drink (not too much at least)! Since u can drink by the age of 16 in germany, its hard not to! But i dont overdo!
My oppionion is that you should do lots of sports for getting old.
Running and swimming is also recommended for CF patients.

I'm 16 years old and im 1,77cm tall(dont know the mass in feet) and weigh 60Kg which is ok ich guess, but i still try to eat al lot.

The oldest CF patient ever known is 76 years old!! Look it up on google ;)
Theres still hope guys and girls!
I wish everyone a good health through winter!

Greetings,

-Alexander

[barrettben]

So I was reading about Shaun and how much success he had and I was surprised at how many people replied to had CF. I'll be the broken record just like most of you and tell you that I have CF as well. It's always awesome to hear other people tell their stories about how they are doing with the disease and how they are mostly doing well after finding something that works for them. I'm from Minnesota and luckily work at a great hospital at Mayo Clinic. Before that I was seeing doctors every 3 months at Fairview in Minneapolis. I was always encouraged to stay as active as possible and to not let my CF limit me in any way, and still to this day I try and let that be the case. I am now 23 and still in fairly good health. I honestly have always been a yo-yo workout freak. I seem to stay with it for 2-3 months and then stop for 4-6 months. How are you all staying motivated. Right now I am 5'7, 145....but my life-long goal is to some day be up to 170. I live a pretty busy life right now between working full-time at the clinic and taking classes two nights a week. I know it's not a good excuse but I seem to have a hard time gaining weight. how are you all doing it. I will be 3-4 months into a hardcore workout and I will maybe put on 5lbs....but if I stop for a week I get right back to my original weight. Maybe I am doing something wrong that the rest of you are doing right. If any of you with CF want to throw some advice my way or just talk randomly about how things are going, I welcome e-mails for advice. barrett30@yahoo.com. Good luck to everyone else and take care.

[Unregistered]

my lovley friend has cf at 9 rs of adge he is very much soo appercauited by his kfamily

[Nekron]

hya...

im from zurich - switzerland (so my english isnt that good ;))

i have CF as well...
i startet BB like 15month ago, but not that hard...
but after your story + pics, i think i will do it harder





ive beaten the odds and transformed my body into something that the doctors said CF would prevent me from doing.

if i understand it right...then my doctors said the same....
that i cant get really into BB or get bigger muscles (like shaun on the pics)
he said that is impossible for me...

greetings, nekron

[Unregistered]

is creatine safe for people with cf. i have been training 4 a year. small gains with protein. also took glutamine for a while with no real results. id really like to know how safe these supplements are for people with cf. please post your knowledge. please!!!!!!!!!!

[aaronrogers75]

A great story, and it is amazing how many people with CF bodybuild. I am 31 with CF, and have lifted for 15 years, but never truely got into bodybuilding until this winter, so needless to day I dont have alot of bulk (5'5", at 145 now), but do have good tone (need to up the calories, at 3500 now, "eat, eat, eat!"). It is a great activity for gaining size (as long as you get cardio too). I use protein and creatine (with LOTS of water, min 3 liters a day, I try to hit a gallon whenever possible).
A note to everyone with cystic fibrosis, dont let anyone tell you you cant do something. Although I am out of work now due to my disease, I have done sports my whole life, graduated college at 19, and was a Police Officer for several years before my health declined. If you have a goal, do whatever it takes to make yourself happy. A happy person is a healthier person!!!
Aaron

[aaronrogers75]

I have been using creatine for 7 or 8 years and I have CF. My only advice, and PLEASE heed it, it speeds dehydration, so drink TONS of water (and ask your doc first, never asked mine tho, lol) I drink at least 3 liters a day of clear water (not juice or milk, etc,) and dont drink anything that can dehydrate you, coffee, etc. Start out at a low dose, 1-2 grams would be my advice, and work up to 5g, do not load, (I did it once and got really dehydrated, but thats just 1 guy, so who knows if it would affect you that way). Just be careful with it and if you notice anything weird stop using it.

[aaronrogers75]

Looks like us C.F.'ers need to start a BB group! Email me @ aaronrogers75@wmconnect.com, or if there already is a group made let me know please.

[unregistered]

I'm live in Fort Worth Texas (USA) and my son Ryan has CF. He's 18 and was diagnosed as a newborn. He has an EXCEPTIONAL team of specialist who have followed him closely since birth. Although he was a very healthy (9 pounds, 9 1/2 ounces-21 1/2 inches long) newborn..........that would quickly change in the years to follow. He was in the negative percentile for many many years. At 18 he's almost 5'11 and weighs 135. I has been very difficult for him to keep his weight up but now he's in the 25th percentile. His "TEAM" would like to see him in the 50th percentile as would I and his dad.
Paintball is his sport and has been since age 10. He's very good at it. He was very small at age 10 and he could get out on the paintball field and make everyone else wish they were his size.....LOL. He could compete with the grown men and teenagers. Now that he's talker, I think he finds his height is "slowing him down", but he also has very heavy equipment to carry on the field. He wants to bulk up and I HIGHLY encourage it.

Shaun would be an EXCELLENT mentor to move and guide Ryan in the bodybuilding direction. I would love to get in touch with this inspirational young man. Please let me know how to contact him.

[Unregistered]

I'm live in Fort Worth Texas (USA) and my son Ryan has CF. He's 18 and was diagnosed as a newborn. He has an EXCEPTIONAL team of specialist who have followed him closely since birth. Although he was a very healthy (9 pounds, 9 1/2 ounces-21 1/2 inches long) newborn..........that would quickly change in the years to follow. He was in the negative percentile for many many years. At 18 he's almost 5'11 and weighs 135. It has been very difficult for him to keep his weight up but now he's in the 25th percentile. His "TEAM" would like to see him in the 50th percentile as would I and his dad.
Paintball is his sport and has been since age 10. He's very good at it. He was very small at age 10 and he could get out on the paintball field and make everyone else wish they were his size.....LOL. He could compete with the grown men and teenagers. Now that he's taller, I think he finds his height is "slowing him down", but he also has very heavy equipment to carry on the field. He wants to bulk up and I HIGHLY encourage it.

Shaun would be an EXCELLENT mentor to move and guide Ryan in the bodybuilding direction. I would love to get in touch with this inspirational young man. Please let me know how to contact him.
My email address is here4u1956@yahoo.com

[HYP3R]

Hey guys / gals

Well I have a slightly different perspective than others here. I am a father of a child that has C.F. (diagnosed him at 4 mths of age). He is now 11 years old. I was thinking about getting my son into lifting some weights because I have heard it is really good for lung function and not to mention over all health of the person with C.F.

My son was going down in weight dramatically when he was 9 years old. The doctors kept putting off any kind of G-tube. Finally when we had a visit in early December 2005 we saw a different doctor than we usually do. He also was a CF specialist that recently started working for the Children's hospital in Dallas, TX. As some would know, alot of doctors over seas (eastern part of the world) have a slightly different way of putting things. Meaning they are usually a bit more blunt and honest I guess. Well this doctor took one look at my son and his growth chart and immediatley said "Ok, look your son is very underweight and his height is very low, even with a child with CF". "Your son, needs a G-button to get extra nutrients to help him gain weight as he enters puberty" That really struck home. The doctor actually said, "your son is 7 right?". I said "No sir, he is 9", He said without hesitation "So when can we schedule this procedure"

I guess, me and my wife were concerned what people would think of him with this plastic button that attached to his outer stomach. Yes, I know, this was very selfish of us to even think this way. I guess I had flash backs when I lost my sister-n-law to CF (wife's sister at age of 28). She had a G-tube for over 10 years and I saw her literally waste away from 115 pounds to 78 pounds. She also was suffering from rejection (double lung transplant 5 years previous). With that being said, my wife and I decided ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH, we were going to be proactive. My son was a very picky eater, he may hate us for this but we have to intervene and help. Afterall we ARE the parents here.

We had the G-tube 'installed' if you will in December 2005. We did his feedings at night with 3 cans of Nutrigen 2.0 He literally gained 25 pounds in under 4 months!! WOW!! My son actually has some fat rolls now YAH!!!! Yes, that may sound silly to some, but those that haver CF can understand where I am coming from :)

My son has a decent attitude with his breathing treatments and night feedings now. He had a good summer last year with his shirt off and the pool and having a great time. His PFT's are decent at 85% to 89%.

He ask about his aunt alot (the one that passed away from CF when my son was about 5 years old). I tell him that she was a fighter and very opinionated (especially with politics lol). She was his best friend and we all will miss her. Doesn't help the fact that she passed away the day after his birthday either :( But we all still carry on. My wife is a champ and although she gets sad at the end of May, she is strong.

One question to all those that have CF, can you please PM me your email. My son would love to hear from some of you that are doing so well. Saw your pics and they are unbeleivable!! My son loves to see healthy looking people. The only people he usually sees is the kids that are hooked up to O2 at the clinic :(

Thanks for all the inspiration! I will point my wife here so she can see as well.

Thanks again!!

-Michael

[mjemirzian]

Great inspirational article.

I can relate to this guy in the size category although I don't have CF. I started working out weighing 110lbs.. I'm 167cm (5'4) and my wrist/bone structure is even thinner than this guys. I've been working out 5 months and am now at 130.. it really is a struggle for small skinny guys to put on muscle and keep it, I can't imagine how difficult it would be adding CF into the picture.

[Jennifermg6]

My name is Jennifer, I live in Irving, TX and have CF. My boyfriend is my biggest support and with his influence and encouragement I have been able to increase my weight through lots of meals and weight training. Fortunately I've had a double lung transplant, and have had no sign of rejection, but it is still very hard maintaining my weight and I am very prone to infections. I still get down at times, but once my boyfriend showed me Shaun's article, I felt so inspired! I was also encouraged by everyone else's replies! It's great to see that the fight against CF is not just through science, but within each individual! Let's all try to encourage and be influences for all those with CF!!

I am 23 years old, 4"11, and starting weight 84 lbs, sometimes a little less. Since my training my morning weight is now 92 and end of the day is 95. I started eating 5-6 big meals a day in July and hope to reach 100 lbs by December!! I've never been over 88 lbs in my life and I'm trying to keep it up while working, and going to college full-time.
My only problem is knowing whether I can take creatine because of all of the anti-rejection medications I am taking. Soon I will find out what supplements I can take.

My Biggest challenge: Getting bigger Calves!!

Question: Did anyone have a button?? This is holding me back from competing.

[SC_BBing@bodybu]

Great inspirational article.

I can relate to this guy in the size category although I don't have CF. I started working out weighing 110lbs.. I'm 167cm (5'4) and my wrist/bone structure is even thinner than this guys. I've been working out 5 months and am now at 130.. it really is a struggle for small skinny guys to put on muscle and keep it, I can't imagine how difficult it would be adding CF into the picture.


it does not matter how skinny u r anyone can get big, about 2 yrs ago i started my journey weighn at only 145 at 5'9" and now im the same hight and weigh 190, jsut to let u know iv been up to 198 lbs


as for CF, i realy do respect all u guys, i think its very amazing how many ppl responded to this original topic, its very interesting, my girlfriend has CF and when she told me about it i had no idea what it was, so i googled it, and now im here

[Rizen]

Hey guys,

Really inspirational article, I am 22 from UK and suffer from Cystic Fibrosis, never had any major problems with the digestive/pancreas, but suffer from the lungs more, I have started lifting and taking CytoGainer the past few weeks, and have noticed an improvement in health.

I also work a 9-5 Mon-Fri job in an office, it's getting harder as I get older I admit, but that can be said for the lack of exercise i've done over the past years, I plan to keep working out and not to let this illness get me down, I really am going to start focusing on getting all my treatment done and keeping my chest clear.

Thanks for this story, it made me smile :)

[jab4240]

i have read this story a few times... def hits home... i also have CF. i have been in and out of the gym since 2003. def has improved my life and everytime i go into the hospital for a 2 week stay i always get the same question: You have CF? its such a struggle to gain weight but on top of that you have to deal with the chronic coughing in the gym. people sometimes stare at you like hey bro are you dying? or hey you mind not coughing so much. no i just shrug it off. but anyone who knows about our disease knows the struggle. and this story is a good look at what we have to deal with day to day.

[tallguy21]

did any of your drs say you couldn't take creatine because of cf? my buddy has cf and he wants to pack on some weight...I see some of you are taking creatine supps and others are not...just curious what you all know and think so I can relay the info to my friend...thanks alot

[frenkc]

While reading the article i noticed a great determination about getting big. I am also a CF patient from birth and started going to the gym almost one and a half years ago.

When I started I was 29 yrs old. I have never done much sporting, but when i decided to start with fitness, i immediately got a year subscription, and never had a week without going to the gym since. My drive was also my health. I really feel fitter and energetic then ever before!

I also started to take creatine and Wey shakes quite soon after I started, and cannot notice any side effects that are specific to people with CF. I have gained nearly 18 pounds with a 3 days a week full body workout schedule.

Lately I have started to take up kickboxing lessons. This is also a great workout in witch you use you whole body.. It helps me to get really fit..

All in all i can also say that taking up fitness really changed my life, and it has given me a better self esteem! Before i was quite tall but still skinny.. Now tall and muscular! :)

So if you are a CF patient reading this... Please give it a shot! It can really change your life!

regards,
Frank

[omi81]

Hey there,

Im 28 , male from canada! i have CF and also cystic fibrosis related diabetes, ive had my ups and downs, where ups didnt last long and downs lasted for a while, im trying to get back in shape, and i want to increase some serious mass, what do you guys recommend. do these whey protein and creatine powders help? and will they effect my sugar level?

thanks