I would like to introduce you to Gavin Xue. Gavin is a recent winner of the 2024 WNBF Ontario New You Transformation category. Gavin has battled through personal adversity and has found fitness to keep him from going down a negative path. I invite you to read his great story on finding purpose and elevating his health.
My name is Gavin Xue, I’m a long-time bodybuilding fan since high school; however, since 2018, obstacles accumulated in life have greatly impacted me physically and mentally. The decision to return to a disciplined diet and workout routine helped me obtain better health and physique and regain my confidence in life.
Lower Back Problem
I started having lower back problems 15 years ago since 2009 caused by exercise injuries when I was young and my sedentary job. In 2013, the problem became more serious, and the MRI report told that I had disc protrusions at L4-L5, L5-S1 and annular fissures at L3-L4 and L5-S1. Basically, I have every disc damaged in my lower back. My family doctor suggested that I should not keep exercising.
In 2017, I had an episode of acute lower back pain, which caused me to lie in bed for almost three weeks, and the doctor, this time wrote a note for me to cancel my gym membership.
Deteriorated relationship and alcoholism affected my health and mentality.
After stopping exercising, gradually I started drinking. From one or two bottles of beer a day, I became a heavy drinker who needs to drink six or eight bottles or half a bottle of whisky every day. On the other hand, my relationship with my ex also deteriorated, the combination of both affected my health and negatively influenced my job.
In the end of 2021, I am overweight (190ish to 200lbs as a 5’7” tall person), and besides still having constant lower back pain, I also suffered from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, plantar fasciitis, and carpal tunnel. The endless soreness, tiredness, and frustration beat me up, I have no confidence in
social life or any interest in developing my career. I felt like the walking-dead.
Starting exercise again all by myself.
In the beginning of 2022, I decided to transform my life starting from quiet drinking, while also working out lightly and watching what I eat. I practiced several special exercises for plantar fasciitis every day before my actual workout. My workout began by focusing on my posterior chain muscles because from what I learned the main causes to my lower back issues were the posterior pelvis tilt
and poor functionality and strength of my glutes and hamstrings. I decided to learn how to do a traditional deadlift, which I used to treat it as one of the culprits that caused my pain. I bought a 15lbs technical bar and 15lbs bumper plates started doing deadlift from 45lbs but strictly correct form. It took me about three months to learn it, and I gradually added weight.
In the following two years, I learned much more about how to train properly, eat adequately, and sleep soundly. The ideas and knowledge about living a healthy and active life have embraced me. I also started practicing Muay Thai this year.
In May 2024, I wanted to share my experience with others and registered for WNBF 2024 Ontario Nature “The New You”. However, three weeks before the show, I had a painful throat and a consecutive low fever for almost the whole week. I had to stop working out and increase my carbs intake to fight that virus, which caused me to gain back the shredded body fat, but nothing can stop
me this time. After the illness, I wanted to face more challenges by entering men’s physique open and master class. If life cannot beat you, you always stand up and fight back harder. The result surprised me I was placed as the winner of the New You, 2nd in Debut group B, 2nd in Master and 4th place in men’s physique short.
More importantly, I was not only able to share my experience but also inspired
by so many good competitors and found a huge group of people who treat life positively and have the same interests, dedication and passion for fitness.
