Personal Stories: David's Goliath

I was diagnosed with MS in 2006 at the age of 47, and as a former bodybuilder and health club owner I chose to take the disease head on through bodybuilding. Since that time I have won Most Inspirationalat the Florida State Bodybuilding Championship in 2009 at 50 years old after being told I would be wheelchair bound. I have published a book about my fight against MS called David's Goliath, endorsed by Montel Williams who has MS, and other celebrities and I am currently working on my new fitness book with NY Times best selling literary agent Marilyn Allen.

I am a featured writer for www.everydayhealth.com, reaching approximately 30 million visitors per month with my column MS Fitness Challenge, with many of my articles appearing on AOL.com reaching 250 million visitors. I am working with the AFPA, one of the most well respected certification companies in the fitness industry and have launched the ONLY MS personal trainers' certification that is supported by EMD Serono and EverydayHealth.com. http://store.afpafitness.com/ms-fitness-wellness-specialist-1/

And now at almost 57 years old I just received the first ever Health Advocate Lifetime Achievement Award from Arnold Schwarzenegger! (http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arnold-schwarzenegger-presents-life-time-achievement-award-to-ms-fitness-challenge-founder-david-lyons-300052222.html) and will be receiving the Lifetime Fitness Inspiration Award in Feb 2016 next to bodybuilding legend Robby Robinson. I am considered the face of MS and fitness worldwide.

There is so much happening in my fight against MS, but the most important aspect of this journey is how we are helping others with multiple sclerosis realize that the road to victory is through exercise. We founded the MS Fitness Challenge to change lives and help those with MS have hope, goals and a lifestyle of health & fitness. But we are also reaching the market of people "challenged" with many diseases, disabilities and obstacles to overcome.

We have held successful MSFC events throughout the country providing personal trainers, nutritional supplements and a gym membership FREE of cost to those with MS who participate in our 12 week "Challenge".

I have been on Good Morning LA, FOX News Orlando and other TV and radio shows nationwide as well as in print media, and Bodybuilding.com has released a feature on me and the MSFC:http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/lyons-roar-bodybuilder-battles-multiple-sclerosis.html And I am in the process of signing a fitness book series deal with an international publisher with the foreword written by Daymond John form the hit show Shark Tank and endorsed by Arnold.