TRT Helped Me Reclaim My Strength—and a Bodybuilding Title

In 2018, my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. I spent my days taking her to chemotherapy and my nights lying awake with worry. My needs were second to hers, but I didn’t mind; supporting her through treatment was my only priority. But the stress and lack of sleep took a toll on me. 

One day, my wife’s doctor asked how I was doing. I admitted the stress of being a caretaker was getting to me. I was always tired and couldn’t find the energy or motivation to go to the gym, even when someone else was there to support my wife. My muscle mass was shrinking, and I was gaining body fat. 

His response surprised me: Have you checked your testosterone levels?

I hadn’t considered it, but I wondered if he was right. 44 years old, I thought, I was too young for a hormone issue. But as I drove home from that appointment, I heard an ad for Hone on the podcast I was listening to: Are you dealing with low energy or muscle loss? It could be low testosterone. I had just told my wife’s doctor about those exact symptoms. Was this a sign, or was my phone eavesdropping? Either way, it convinced me to take action. I ordered an at-home testosterone assessment.

A few weeks later, I received my results. My total testosterone was under 200 ng/dL. Turns out, my wife’s doctor was right: I had low testosterone.

My Hone doctor prescribed twice-weekly testosterone injections to bring my levels into a healthy range. Within three weeks, I felt more energetic. I hit the gym several times a week and enjoyed my workouts. Soon, I started to see the outline of my abs as my body fat decreased. I looked and felt like myself again.

After about a year of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), I felt amazing. But I wanted to see if I could manage my hormones without medication. So, I decided to stop treatment. 

I tried the paleo and carnivore diets—approaches a few podcast hosts I follow swear boost testosterone. I upped my protein intake and stuck to a rigorous resistance training routine. But my low energy and lack of motivation returned within a few months. I realized that TRT had been a game-changer, and I started treatment again in 2020. This time, for good.

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Starting TRT again lit a fire under me. Around the same time, my wife was fully cured of cancer. With my extra time on my hands and renewed motivation, I spent the next two years becoming a certified personal trainer. I also became a co-owner of a bodybuilding gym.

At our gym, we decided to put up a “Wall of Champions,” photos of members who had placed in bodybuilding competitions. That’s when I got the wild idea: What if I trained for a bodybuilding competition? Back in my twenties, I went to bodybuilding shows with my friends and dreamed of stepping onstage myself. But I had long assumed achieving the perfect physique was behind me. 

I toyed with the idea for a few months and developed a strict 16-week training schedule before signing up. Before TRT, I wouldn’t have been able to stick to the rigorous plan. But with my motivation, strength, and energy back, the four months flew by. My body fat dropped from 16 percent to 5 percent. I was ready. 

In August 2024, at 49 years old, I took the stage at Master’s Physique Indiana with a smile. When the judges announced the results, I couldn’t believe it: I won first place in the True Novice category and second in Open Class. 

While my hard work got me here, I know treating my low testosterone helped unlock my potential. I can’t wait to compete again.