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Defying all odds to beat this life changing disease."

Meet the Challenge Team

Personal Trainer:

Darren Barnes - champion bodybuilder and certified trainer works one on one with David daily to push him to extremes. Darren Barnes is a former martial arts champion with over 20 years experience. He began in the fitness industry in 1990 as a supplement to his martial arts training. Darren has held certifications in several aspects of the fitness industry including group certification with AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America), Martial Fitness Cardio Kickboxing Instructor certification and he is currently certified as an IFA (International Fitness Association) personal trainer. Darren is also working on a certification as a Fitness Nutrition Specialist with Exercise & Nutrition Works, Inc. as well as a degree in Occupational Therapy.

Darren began his career as a competitive bodybuilder at the age of 38 and has competed in five NPC bodybuilding shows with top three finishes in all of them including:
            2006 Mid-Florida Muscle Classic – Over 35 class 2nd place
            2007 Mid-Florida Muscle Classic – Over 35 class 1st place
            2007 Southern States Championship – Over 35 class 2nd place
            2007 Debbie Kruck Classic – Over 40 3rd place
            2007 Florida State Championship – Over 35 class 1st place (Qualified for Master’s Nationals)

Fitness Coach:

 

John Britt - Florida State Trooper and specially trained fitness instructor helps David stay the course no matter how difficult.

John is one of only 15 Florida State Troopers certified by the Cooper Institute in Dallas Texas and qualified to train new recruits.  The Cooper Institute Personal Trainer (CI-CPT) Certification examination is a nationally accredited exam for becoming a Personal Trainer.

Nutritional Support:

Ram Umrao - From the start of The MS Bodybuilding Challenge, Ram, owner of the Max Muscle sports nutrition store in Orlando designed a personalized nutritional program for David and provided David with all his bodybuilding supplements by donating everything he needed.

Rich & Liz Gaspari - When bodybuilding legend Rich Gaspari and his wife Liz, owners of Gaspari Nutrition, heard about David's challenge, they jumped right onboard. Immediatley they sent him contest preparation supplements that have helped David to get as lean and muscular as he could. As David moves on with The MS Bodybuilding Challenge throughout the years, Gapspari Nutrition will be there to supply him with the supplementation he needs to keep him moving forward.

Medical Advisors:

Khizar Malik, MD - Neurological Institute.

Dr. Malik, David's multiple sclerosis physician, is a board-certified neurologist
with private practice offices in Celebration and Dr.Phillips, Florida. He is a
consultant for Florida Hospital and Orlando Regional Healthcare.

Brad Homan, DO - Celebration Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute.
Dr. Homan's vast experience and many affiliations include:

Bodybuilding Contest Promoter and Judge:

Deke Warner - Florida Central District Vice Chairman of the National Physique Committee (NPC), the most prominent amateur physique organization in the world and the amateur arm of the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB) professional bodybuilding in the USA. Deke has invited David to compete in his Mid Florida Classic contest in Orlando in June 2009 and supports him all the way. This bodybuilding competition is David's first goal. David will be featured in the NPC magazine this year.

Production & Promotion:

 John Morris - independent film maker, editor and former TV producer. John has been a television producer since 1988 working on NBC and Fox in the Midwest, most recently with MVP Media as their creative Director.  

Challenge Coordinator:

 


Tuana Jackson is a former Australian champion sprinter and currently a fitness trainer. Adversity and injuries have plagued her career and she knows the word "determination" firsthand. She is a fighter, and hearing what David was trying to accomplish, Tuana, who came up with The MS Bodybuilding Challenge name, joined forces with the team. She helps organize the challenge and keeps David and the team on course.
David, with Tuana's help, plans on taking his challenge to Australia after his 2009 competition in the USA.