“That’s It, I’m Paralyzed”: Depressed Single Father in a “Wheelchair” Turned His Fortunes to Be a Competitive Bodybuilder

Drowned in adversities, Wesley Hamilton set out on a mission to transform his life and eventually become a competitive bodybuilder, professional philanthropist, and motivational speaker. Aged 24 while also a single father, an unfortunate incident left him paralyzed from the waist down for the rest of his life.

Hit with setbacks after setbacks made Hamilton not only physically but also emotionally disabled. As if scripted by an angel, an adorable gesture from his daughter ignited a spark of hope, and eventually, he discovered the path to resurrection.

Hamilton’s fatherhood eased the wounds of his childhood

Sharing his journey with the Bodybuilding, he said overweight issues, having poor self-confidence, low self-esteem, and negative thinking defined his childhood. Besides, there was no awareness of maintaining a healthy body or eating nutritious food. As a victim of body-shaming, he developed a “bad boy mentality” and anticipated he would end up shot or dead. Unfortunately, he was shot several times and ended up with a spinal injury at 24.

“That’s it, I’m paralyzed,” he mourned his immobility and life. Thinking about his daughter devastated him even more. Beaten to the bone by endless traumatic thoughts, one day, while the 250 lb Hamilton was going to sit in his wheelchair, he heard his daughter say, “Daddy, you’re getting in your Superman chair.”

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The little girl’s words gave him renewed hope and strength. He realized that his daughter saw him beyond his disability. He experienced what it is to feel limitless because there was nothing impossible for Superman. Thus, he made his first step toward transformation.

Focus on fitness and nutrition opened doors to bodybuilding

Hamilton joined a nutrition course at a local community college. It gave him insights into how food impacts one’s overall well-being. On the fitness end, he started with 30 minutes of cardio. Gradually, he mustered the courage to join a gym and disregard any comments.

When he came across wheelchair bodybuilding contests, his excitement knew no bounds. Learning that there were so many people with different disabilities pushing themselves beyond their limitations overwhelmed Hamilton with an avalanche of emotions.

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Hamilton founded an organization, Disabled But Not Really, to support and encourage the disabled community. Their goal is to create an environment for more and more people to learn and practice healthy living.