Unusual bodybuilders offer inspiration

HOUSTON Sam Smith is an unlikely bodybuilder. He limps. The muscles of his right arm and leg are drawn by cerebral palsy, but that doesn't stop Smith.

"Definitely a big day for me; first NPC show; my heart's racing right now, and I'm just ready to get it over and done with it," Smith said.

As he walked onto the stage at the Branch Warren Classic, his first major competition, spontaneous applause broke out.

"I know that I'm disabled; I know that I don't have a shot at winning, but at least want to give it an attempt," Smith said. "I at least want to try."

And he charmed the audience of 900. Smith was inspired by "The Terminator," Arnold Schwarzenegger, except Smith works out with fingers that barely bend around the weights.

Ray Bessette trains Smith and competes himself. He's 50.

"It was a young guy's thing back when I was a young guy," Bessette said.

Bessette is ranked third nationally for men in their 50's.

A 51-year-old mother of three and pharmacist, Christine Boss is another unlikely bodybuilder.

Boss says women, especially older women shouldn't be afraid of weight lifting.

"Muscle mass is good; it keeps your metabolism up, and it makes your bones strong," she said.

Lin Montgomery is 74! He's been lifting weights for two years.

"It keeps me going, and makes me active in my old age," he said.

These unlikely bodybuilders are friends, from the same gym, "The Firm U." All are proud of Smith.

"I'm really hoping to inspire a lot of people today, as many as I can," Smith said.

One of those he inspired was "The Terminator" himself, who saw Eyewitness News' first story on Smith and Tweeted:

"Saw this story today: Sam says I inspired him, but let me tell you, he's even more of an inspiration to me."

Smith received a standing ovation at the Spring, Texas competition. After a competition in Austin last weekend, he received an engraved sword for "outstanding achievement."