Was an 82nd Airborne paratrooper. After being discharged I injured my shoulder (SLAP tear). Doc says it was likely due to being weakened by various activities during time spent in the service. He prescribed some PT in order to strengthen the surrounding muscles. After a few sessions I felt the PT wasn't having the effect I had hoped for i.e. it was too lazy (rubber bands and such). In another effort to avoid surgery I looked to those who would truly know how to build muscle...Body builders. I took a class with PROPTA and became a certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Tech....not to train others but so I would know how to train myself, properly. It was a good time and gave me a great foundation of knowledge to build upon. I had classes with Joe Antouri, Mike Sable, Mike Ergas, Sherry Goggins, Samir Bannout and even got the chance to do some "train-spotting" with Charles Glass at Golds in Venice. It seems I was surrounded by famous people, in the BB world, all the time.....seriously too many to list. But I knew absolutely nothing about the sport or the competitors so it has all been very interesting and keeps me going.