Introduction
Matthew Schmidt, an IFBB pro bodybuilder, has a story that is nothing short of remarkable. Hailing from the suburbs of Houston, Texas and also serving as a police officer, Schmidt has faced numerous health – related obstacles on his path to bodybuilding success. His journey is a testament to determination and the power of not giving up.
Early Life and Athletic Beginnings
Schmidt, 35 years old, attended catholic school for 12 years, majoring in criminal justice and sociology. During his college years, he was a multi – sport athlete, playing football and baseball. In football, he was the most valuable player for two seasons on the college team and the scoring leader in both. In baseball, he had the second – highest batting average on the team, surprising his teammates with his flexibility despite his large and muscular build.
In 2006, during his junior year of college, he decided to enter his first bodybuilding competition, the Kalamazoo show. Weighing 188 lbs (about 85 kg), he won first place in the light heavyweight class out of 10 participants. However, shortly after, his life took a turn for the worse when he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.
Battle with Ulcerative Colitis and Surgery
Ulcerative colitis affected Schmidt severely, impacting his entire colon. For two years, he tried various medications, including one that required three – hour intravenous sessions three times a week, but to no avail. By the time he graduated in 2008, his condition had deteriorated to the point where he could hardly leave his house.
Facing the inevitability of colon cancer, he consulted the best colorectal surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic. The surgeon recommended the removal of his entire colon and the use of a temporary ileostomy bag. Despite the potential complications, including the possibility of a permanent ileostomy bag, Schmidt decided to take the risk and undergo surgery. The surgery was supposed to be in two parts: removing the colon and putting on the bag, and then later removing the bag and reconnecting the small intestine to the rectum.
A few days after the first operation, he developed a severe infection and sepsis. He underwent seven surgeries in 12 weeks but managed to survive, though with 8 feet (about 2.4 metres) of intestine missing.
Career and Continued Competitions
In 2011, he was hired by the Department of Homeland Security and has been working in law enforcement in Texas since then. Over the next 8 years, he participated in several powerlifting and bodybuilding competitions. In 2014, he placed 5th in the traditional 220lb class powerlifting competition with a total weight of 1906lbs (approx. 864kg). In bodybuilding, he won all his competitions overall, except for 3 national – level ones, where he consistently finished in the top 5.
Another Health Setback and Comeback
In 2018, while preparing for his fourth national competition at the Miami NPC competition, he faced another health issue. After eating too much broccoli, he had intestinal obstruction problems, spent a week in the hospital, and then had a perforated bowel. He had to undergo emergency surgery, and the surgeon made a 12 – inch vertical incision in his stomach and removed a small portion of his small intestine. He lost 60 pounds (about 27 kg) in two weeks, and his surgeon believed he would never compete again.
But Schmidt had other plans. He started his recovery and regained most of his weight within 3 – 4 months. With only 4 months left until the 2019 NPC competition, he decided to get back in shape as soon as possible while staying healthy.
The 2019 NPC Competition and Victory
The NPC competition was a dream come true for Schmidt. During the competition, Hunter Labrada’s friend had helped him with strength training exercises. Hunter told him that he was going to win the whole thing. After a grueling day, including a second cardio session during the lunch break, Schmidt’s hard work paid off. He got his IFBB pro card, finished first in his weight class, and was then announced as the overall national champion, with the judges unanimously approving.
It’s also worth noting that Schmidt always trained and dieted alone.
Conclusion
Matthew Schmidt’s story is truly inspiring. He has endured countless struggles, from health problems to setbacks, but has emerged victorious in the world of bodybuilding. His perseverance serves as a reminder that those who beat the odds and work hard for their goals deserve our respect. We wish him good health and continued success in his bodybuilding career.
