Man Overcomes Cystic Fibrosis To Become Personal Trainer | Men's Health Magazine Australia

Real-Life Thor Overcomes Cystic Fibrosis To Become Absolute Weapon

Working out to look like Thor is difficult as it is. But try achieving that while battling the debilitating lung condition, cystic fibrosis.  Twenty-seven-year-old Ben Mudge was born with the hereditary disorder but it was only in his teenage years that his health began to suffer. Cystic fibrosis ( CF) is a condition that mainly […]

Working out to look like Thor is difficult as it is. But try achieving that while battling the debilitating lung condition, cystic fibrosis. 

Twenty-seven-year-old Ben Mudge was born with the hereditary disorder but it was only in his teenage years that his health began to suffer.

Cystic fibrosis ( CF) is a condition that mainly affects the lungs and digestive system. People with CF produce excessive amounts of mucus in their lungs, airways and digestive system. Those living with CF are at huge risk of lung failure. 

But spurred on by his deteriorating health, Mudge decided to take control of his life. Despite doctors saying he wouldn’t recuperate, determined, Mudge continued to hit the gym – his health improving and rig becoming more and more enviable.

Speaking to The Independent, Mudge says he’s enjoyed helping others affected by Cystic Fibrosis.

“I’ve had hundreds of messages from people who are affected by cystic fibrosis, saying that me posting these photos has inspired them to be more active, more confident,” says Mudge.

After a scare at age 18, Mudge got serious about his fitness. A chest infection caused his lung capacity to drop by 66 per cent.

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“I’d never had any issues with breathing at all before that. But then after that it felt like someone was squeezing the bottom of my lungs shut. That’s when i knew i had to get exercising.

“It was pretty severe at first. Even just having the bar alone on my shoulders when i was going to squat felt like, ‘woah, this is really tough’. It wasn’t like a really smooth transformation. It was quaite a severe change.

“Training has been massively beneficial to me. It has literally taught me how to breathe properly – figuring out your breathing is such a key part of training. And it’s got me back up to 95 per cent lung capacity, ten years after I was in hospital – with a disease that’s generative, so should be getting worse as i get older.”

Despite his improved health, Mudge works out five-six times a week while also taking digestive enzymes every meal and nebulisers to help his lungs stay healthy.

Interestingly, as a personal trainer, Mudge can’t see other cystic fibrosis sufferers in person because of the risk of cross-infection. As a result, he does a lot of online coaching. 

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