FRANK BUDELEWSKI

Back in 1991, I had a scholarship offer to play football in college. I was about 240 lbs when I graduated, and was ranked in the top ten strongest players in western new york. I knew I would be playing college football, so I never really put any effort into my school work. I didn't think I HAD to. No matter what, I was going to be a big football star. Well, just like in every football movie that shows a kid get his dreams destroyed, it happened to me.

Two weeks before leaving for football camp, I was out with a friend, and was in a very serious car accident at 88mph. I was the passenger, and no other car was involved. Long story short, we were going way to fast, he lost control of the car around a bend on the thruway, we went through a steel pole, hit a bridge head on, and went into a ditch.

After that accident, I went through 6 years of operations. Long years of not moving, and crutches. I had my right knee reconstructed, had damage to the left, had my face reconstructed, my teeth reconstructed, a twisted spine, hip displacement, 6 herniated disks in neck and back, etc. On top of all of that, my metabolism shut down, and I went past 330lbs with a last recorded waist size of a 46". After that, I wore nothing but sweat pants and 4XL flannel shirts. I was miserable.

I was told I'd not only never play sports again, but I'd never run, walk right, lift weights, etc. I would be in pain for the rest of my life due to all of the neurological damage, so I was sent to a hypnotherapist when the possibility of pain medication addiction became a worry. I was a mess.

I wouldn't shave my face, because I couldn't stand to see how swollen and bloated my face had become. One day I got up, grabbed my crutches, and tried to get to the bathroom. My leg gave out and I fell. I layed there screaming in pain, and that was my lowest point. I didn't want to be around anymore. My life had become meaningless to me.

I thankfully didn't do anything, and instead told myself I would fix myself AGAINST doctors orders, even if it killed me. I had nothing to lose, and the pain just drove me harder. The problem was that trying to get help was a joke. SO many "experts" in the gym. So many conflicting theories and ideas. It's extremely difficult to make serious changes when you are misinformed by the uneducated. But, like most others in the gym, when I saw "TRAINER" written in the employees shirts, I thought I was getting proper advice and guidance. As many of you probably know, that usually isn't the case.

After some time of yo-yoing, I went to the Toronto Pro Show where I had met Scott Abel. I didn't know his name at the time, but I had recognized him from issues of Muscle Mag. I built up the nerve, approached him, and asked if he trained only professionals, or if he trained anyone. He smiled, gave me his card, and said he treats every client exactly the same. Whether novice, or pro, every client gets the same attention. However, he added that the client has to WANT to make the change. He said he is not a babysitter. He is a coach. If you do not utilize him, you wont get the full benefit. BUT if you want it, and work hard, your goals can be achieved.

I trained with him, and let him tear my body down, and rebuild it. I lost well over 100lbs of fat, and completely restructured my body. In 2001 I won the heavyweight Mr. Buffalo title, and I have to say, it was one of the best days of my life. The story doesn't stop there though. As life sometimes does, mine took an unexpected turn. Well, SEVERAL unexpected turns. Some personal problems occurred, some family problems, I lost my job, and lost a great deal of money. I just was having a very bad few years. I kept training, but like before, my depression had me turning to food, and although I was incredibly strong, I was bloated looking, and looked more like a power lifter or football player than the bodybuilder I had worked so hard to become.

I would go out and kept hearing how big I was, and I started to not care about being heavy... I was BIG, and it went to my head. Like many people often do, I had a selective view of myself in the mirror. I looked at what I wanted to look at. I went up over 325lbs. Much different than after the accident, but still, I was unhealthy, and had lost that look I worked to achieve for the Mr. Buffalo.

During this time, I had lost touch with Scott, and although stayed a client, fell into only contacting him for programs. He hadn't seen me, and I always had an excuse why I couldn't go there, so he didn't know how heavy I had become. One night, a friend of mine was talking about bodybuilding, and started saying how everyone says I am a "one time wonder". Someone who worked hard to compete once, but that was it. I didn't have what it took to do it again. That stung. Then I sent my pictures to Scott, and his eyes must have popped out of his head. HE wanted to see me asap. I didn't jut SLIP a little! I had completely FALLEN!!!

I saw him, and told him I wanted to compete again. Anyone who knows Scott, knows that he doesn't hold back to make you feel better (thank-god). He said I had ALOT of work to do, and it was starting THAT DAY!!! In the gym, people kept telling me how good I was looking, but every time I met with Scott, he brought me back down to earth by telling me what needed attention, or what was lacking, or what needed work.

That type of direct honesty is what I believe we ALL need!!! If we all looked as good as our friends say we do, who would need a trainer or a coach? We'd all be experts. Scott gives us the drive to become our BEST. To reach out full potential.

I worked harder for this competition, than I've ever worked in my life. I also learned that life happens. Just because you are working toward something, that doesn't mean the world stops. During my preparation, my mother had serious complications from a surgery that put her in the hospital, and didn't allow her to come to my competition, I was laid off from the job I had gotten back after 3 years, AND while AT my competition, my house was broken into, and my brand new custom Chopper motorcycle was stolen out of my garage. You've heard the expression when it rains it pours? Well, I was getting a hurricane.

What I learned this time wasn't just that I can get into shape. This time with all of these obstacles, I learned focus, and I learned to battle depression in a different way. In a healthy way. I learned that we can't control our lives, but we can feel better just by knowing we can at least control our bodies. Now that I'm back in control of my body, I have made a promise to myself to STAY in control of it. I have included some pics from the Rochester Bodybuilding Championships that I did On June 11th. I wound up losing a total of 90lbs, and was told all day how great I looked. I was told there were some reasons why I did not win, but to me, with the mental and physical change I had made, I won before I even got there.

Like I'm sure many of you, I owe Scott a great deal of thanks for what he has done for me, and it is FACT that I would not look the way I do if it weren't for him. One piece of advice I would have for any client of his, is to use the tools you are lucky enough to have. You have a goal? He will get you there, but you have to WANT to get there. Again, you can't control life, but you CAN control your body. And once you finally do, everything tends to fall into place.

	Photo Gallery Photos taken at the 2006