Bobby Body

Started: He took up the sport in 2014 in St. Johns, MI, United States of America. (lansingstatejournal.com, 02 Aug 2018; Michigan Fitness Foundation YouTube channel, 27 Apr 2015) Reason: He began lifting weights as part of his rehabilitation. He was later encouraged to try powerlifting by the owners of the gym he was training at. (homesforwoundedwarriors.com, 01 Aug 2020; dav.org, 06 Jul 2016) Ambition: To compete at the Paralympic Games. (teamusa.com, 19 Nov 2023) Milestones: He became the first powerlifter representing the United States of America to win a gold medal at the Parapan American Games when he finished first in the men's -107kg and +107kg category at the 2023 Games in Santiago, Chile. (paralympic.org, 23 Nov 2023) Awards: In 2018 he received the Victories for Veterans Award from Disabled American Veterans [DAV]. (lansingstatejournal.com, 02 Aug 2018) In 2016 he was named Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year by the DAV. (Disabled American Veterans YouTube channel, 31 Jul 2016) In 2015 he was named Veteran of the Year at the Governor's Fitness Awards in Michigan, United States of America. (michiganfitness.org, 01 Jan 2020; Michigan Fitness Foundation YouTube channel, 27 Apr 2015) Additional Info: FRESH APPROACH YIELDS SUCCESS He was disappointed with his performance at the 2023 World Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He began making adjustments to his nutrition, increased his weekly training load, and also met with the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee [USOPC] Psychological Services team. He went on to win a gold medal at the 2023 Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile. "It was a lot of hard work at home, actually. The preparation with nutrition and meeting with USOPC mental health [was needed]. I had to come here [the 2023 Parapan American Games] with a clear mind because when I was in Dubai, I struggled with mental health and only went one for three [on his lift attempts]. Down here, I wanted to make sure I was in the right place mentally, emotionally and, of course, physically. I prepared myself for those three specific attempts and I was able to be successful." (usparapowerlifting.org, 19 Dec 2023, 19 Nov 2023) MILITARY SERVICE He was born in an army hospital into a military family. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps at age 22 as an infantryman, but was medically discharged after sustaining a knee injury on an obstacle course. He returned to service with the United States Army after the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks. "I couldn't just sit at my cushy job and do nothing. I kept trying to re-enlist in the Marines, but they wouldn't let me because of my injury. But an Army prior service recruiter overheard one of the telephone conversations I was having and said he could get me in. I ended up down in Fort Benning, Georgia. And then right after airborne school I went ahead and joined my unit and immediately received my orders to deploy to Iraq." (homesforwoundedwarriors.com, 01 Aug 2020; Disabled American Veterans YouTube channel, 31 Jul 2016; dav.org, 06 Jul 2016; lansingstatejournal.com, 02 Aug 2018) FURTHER EDUCATION He has studied for a master's degree in social work at Michigan State University. He is also a certified peer support specialist, and has counselled veterans and amputees suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD]. "I look at it like this, I served my country and came home, and people helped me, so therefore I need to help other people." (Disabled American Veterans YouTube channel, 31 Jul 2016; homesforwoundedwarriors.com, 01 Aug 2020; dav.org, 06 Jul 2016)