The Journey

Latest Updates

November 5, 2011

"The Biggest Loser Resorts is delighted to

be supporting your upcoming MS Bodybuilding Challenge and the ongoing MS Fitness Challenge. We shall provide a complimentary 1-week stay package at the Malibu Biggest Loser Resort as a prize for the winner of your fundraising contest."

October 10, 2011

Powerhouse Gym corporation and John

Lepak, their Director of Marketing, are working hand in hand with The MS Fitness Challenge and David & Kendra Lyons in their fundraising efforts to bring fitness trainers into the homes of MS patients nationwide.

October 5, 2011

The MS Bodybuilding Challenge is proud to

announce our newest sponsor High Energy Labs and President Mark Webb.

October 7, 2011

David has signed a book deal with

Leafwood Publishing. Scheduled release date is 2012.

Joining forces with NBC Yours 4 Fitness

and Mike Torchia’s Operation Fitness campaign, The MS Fitness Challenge is attending conventions nationwide to help Mike and his team promote health & fitness. The MS Bodybuilding Challenge & The MS Fitness Challenge will have a booth at the events starting January 14th and 15th at the Washington D.C. Convention Center and then on February 4th at the Westfield Shopping Mall in Century City and February 18th at The Grove in Los Angeles. David will be in the booths at the events and will also be a guest speaker.

Luke Wood has passed away at the age of

35 due to complications from a kidney
transplant. Wood, the 300 lb bodybuilding champion, was a six-time winner of the Mr
Australia bodybuilding contest, the youngest body builder in the world to hold a pro card and a huge supporter of The MS Bodybuilding Challenge. Big Luke was not only a bodybuilding legend to me but a good friend and mentor. I will miss his long emails of encouragement and his great sense of humour. His heart was bigger than his tremendous muscles as he always called me “his hero”.

The next part of my journey will be dedicated to Luke’s memory as I am sure he will be looking down from heaven at me, with that big smile, cheering me on in my next
contest.

"David let me tell you, you are my hero
and to thousands of others! You are right you are not in my league but in a LEAGUE of you own! A much higher league than I will ever get to! Mr. Olympia is not even in your
league. You are a true Warrior and God Bless you in this incredible fight that I know the Lord will always put you first, my man!
You already showed me that you can move mountains and we will get those abs! You can overcome anything! Me and you and God brother! David you are my hero man! There are people who complain and moan all their life and have really nothing to complain about! Let them walk in your shoes for a day!" -Big Luke

Rest in Peace old friend.

Inside The MS Fitness Challenge

Mike Torchia Fitness Trainer

"I met David over 35 years ago when I was working out with Lou Ferrigno at R&J Gym in

Brooklyn, New York. David was a very powerful young man who was training like a dynamo and radiated with self confidence. Our paths recently crossed since that day in Brooklyn and he still possesses the same powerful physique, attitude and energy. The only difference is that he now has MS and is battling this crippling disease. I truly admire his mission to inspire other people around the World who also have MS to become more physically fit and active. I fully support The MS Bodybuilding Challenge and I am incorporating David's powerful and meaningful movement with The Shape Up America National Tour." -Mike Torchia

Michael Torchia is a quintessential, cutting edge fitness advocate and leader, whether

working with children, or adults of any age. To this end, he has created a multi-disciplined, lifestyle conglomerate, the first in its category that focuses on every phase of the lifestyle process including physical fitness and nutritional solutions, along with the design of fitness apparatus and spa centers throughout the world.

In the last 25 years, Michael has been developing systems for safe, highly motivating fitness programs. He began as a competitive bodybuilder, achieving such honors as “Teenage Mr. New York,” “Teenage Mr. America,” “Mr. Collegiate USA,” and “Mr. California.” The genesis of Michael’s journey began over 40-years ago when, in his own words he made a promise to himself, “I will never be fat again.” He vowed that he would never be perceived as an underdog or under achiever ever again, resolving to be fit both physically and mentally. Michael never lost sight of this vision, and leading by example, became a personal trainer to a succession of executive business suits in New York City. This culminated in the profession of personal trainer to celebrities in Los Angeles with such luminaries as Kevin Spacey, Matt Damon, Al Pacino, Kim Cattrall, Ralph Lauren and John Galliano.

After being commissioned to design the fitness facility at “The Castle” in Tarrytown, NY, Mike and his team went on to develop top fitness facilities around Los Angeles. He was appointed Fitness Specialist at the world-renowned “Beverly Hills Hotel” and the prestigious “Hotel Bel Air.” He then developed the Youth Fitness Program at “The Sports Club LA” and recently established the new business protocol and complete operations overhaul for the “Aroma Resort” in downtown Los Angeles. After years of giving his support and expertise on a "one to one" level Torchia felt it was time to expand his services. He’s now providing an elite team of personal trainers and nutrition consultants that are available 7 days a week at 24-hour notice that can offer a broad spectrum of sports activities and fitness conditioning programs. His goal is to provide safe and effective ways for guests to maintain their fitness regime and have fun, while traveling.

Now, through the development of the Shape Up America Campaign, Holistic Health Foundation, and Children's Fitness Academy, and with the success of Operation Fitness™, Michael intends to use this incredible opportunity to reach children and adults across the nation, helping them achieve a more positive self-worth and body image

Lifestyle Expert John Rowley

is a Bestselling author, Fox News & Martha Stewart, Fitness, Lifestyle, Wellness and motivational Contributor, as well as a contributor to many other media outlets. He has earned the title, “America’s Lifestyle Strategist” by helping millions of people become physically, mentally & spiritually fit.

Registered dietitian and personal trainer Monica Callan

has appeared on television and has written articles as a nutrition expert. She developed the first-in-class corporate wellness program Be 365, with Barney & Barney. She currently works as an independent consultant, helping individuals & families reach their true health potential.

Fitness Trainer Darren Barnes,

a champion bodybuilder and certified trainer, worked one on one with David in 2008-2009 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.

Pictures & Training

Follow David's journey with pictures of The MS Bodybuilding Challenge and of David working with his trainers on fighting his disease in every way he can.

Against All Odds

An article recently released by John Rowley in Powerhouse Gym Magazine:

The crowd erupts into a standing ovation as this unlikely warrior finishes his posing routine. Though he is out-muscled by 50 pounds or more and not nearly as cut as others or as he wanted to be, the crowd is uncontainable. Backstage all the competitors are hugging him and thanking him for being an inspiration. His name: David Lyons. His challenge: Multiple Sclerosis (MS). His answer to the challenge: Fight!

Personal Motivation

Another article recently released by Powerhouse Press in recognition of David Lyons' incredible story:

In 2006, David Lyons was hospitalized and with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 47. David, a former bodybuilder and health club owner, exercised regularly and lived a healthy lifestyle. He was devastated by the diagnosis and frustrated by the physical limitations of his condition.

Ed Corney, Champion Bodybuilder

The Master Poser

As a champion professional bodybuilder that has trained for over 40 years, I know the drive, determination and intensity it takes to train and compete in the sport. It is amazing that David Lyons, diagnosed with MS and almost 50 years old, is able to push himself thorugh this vigorous and exhausting regime that even for a young, healthy man would be difficult to undertake.

I am excited to be part of the MS Bodybuilding Challenge team and look forward to seeing David successfully compete at the NPC Florida State Bodybuilding Championhips in August 2009.

“David, here are your choices, train harder or train harder. Why not? ‘Cause you can!” - Ed

Ed Corney is widely regarded as the greatest poser that the sport of bodybuilding has ever known. Ed won the IFBB Mr. America, IFBB Mr. Universe, IFBB Masters Over 60 Olympia (twice) and as a member of the IFBB Hall of Fame. As a classic bodybuilder of the Golden Age, he continues to serve as a spokesman and ambassador for the sport.

Ed was born November 9, 1933 in Hawaii. In 1950, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and, after serving in New York City, moved out to California. It was there that he met bodybuilder Millard Williamson who encouraged him to begin weight training. At 160 pounds and age 33, Corney entered and won his first contest in 1967, the Mr. Fremont, held in Northern California. His wins the following year included Mr. Heart of California, Mr. Northern California and Mr. Golden West. Ed continued to climb the bodybuilding latter with impressive wins at the 1970 Iron Man, the 1971 AAU Mr. Caifornia, the 1971 IFBB Mr. USA, the 1972 IFBB Mr. America and the 1972 IFBB Mr. Universe that was held in Baghdad, Iraq.

Corney achieved even broader public recognition as a result of his appearance in both the book and movie versions of “Pumping Iron.” He was pictured on the cover of the book and on the posters for the movie. In the film we see Ed not only training along side Arnold Schwarzenegger, with an absolutely mind numbing intensity, but also flowing flawlessly from one of his classic and unique poses to the next as Arnold comments, “Now that’s what I call posing.” Coreny’s pioneering posing transitions distinguished him from his peers at the time, and his incredible stage performances are still revered and imitated to this day.

In 1994 Corney returned to competition. He won the 60+ division of the Masters Olympia in both 1994 and 1995, placed 11th overall in 1996 and took second in the 60+ division in 1997. He also competed in 1998 in the only Masters event ever to be held at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic.

Flex Wheeler - IFBB Pro & All American EFX Director of Media/Public Relations

"I’m honored to be part of the team supporting David Lyons. I know all too well what it’s like to face a life-threatening disease. So it’s the least I can do to help David with a worthy cause like this. All through my professional career I fought one epic battle after another just to make it on stage. David is a fighter just like me. So I have no doubt his ‘never quit’ attitude and his determination to overcome this will push him through to victory. All American EFX and I have your back, so the competition better guard their rank!"

Clay Walker - Nationally Acclaimed Recording Artist

The MS Bodybuilding Challenge thanks country music star Clay Walker for his support. Clay, a nationally acclaimed recording artist who has MS, established BAMS Foundation in February 2003, because he wanted to help others living with the same disease he has battled since 1996. Now he is supporting David Lyons in his challenge against MS. With different approaches to battling MS they are both fighting to find a cure.

Greg Favors - NFL Linebacker

The MS Bodybuilding Challenge welcomes former NFL linebacker Greg Favors to our team of supporters. In his eight year NFL career, Greg has played for the Kansas City Chiefs, the Tennessee Titans, the Indianapolis Colts, the Buffalo Bills, the Carolina Panthers, and the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has played in the NFC Championships and Super Bowl.

Chyna - Female Professional Bodybuilder

So many times in our life we come across obstacles. This is a part of our daily lives. When I was asked to write a little something about The MS Bodybuilding Challenge, and this disease, I thought about David and how I have been in Hollywood pounding the pavement for over 21 years now, hard to imagine. Then I thought of David, going beyond the everyday work mode and entering the job of defying a debilitation, the degenerative disease of Multiple Sclerosis. Inside it does disturb me because, how do you stop it? How does somebody go beyond the physical limits of a misunderstood disease that takes control of the body and changes life at such a rapid pace? How do you have the positive mindset like David to put on special shows like this without crawling under the bed and never coming out?? It is simply amazing to me how somebody can look a disease in the eye as such and promote a fit healthier body that most of us could only wish to have. David, I applaud you, your strength, your beautiful body and your dedication to the cause for the cure and the will to do great things!!!!!!

You are going so far and above what almost seems not possible and therefore, an anomaly and such an inspiration to so many. I think so many will say, "Hey what have I got to loose, right?”

David, you are an inspiration and a true pioneer!