My Fitness Life Style

My name is Keith Henderson and I was born in 1969. You can calculate my age.

I was a typical kid who grew up on the south side of Chicago. I played softball, football, and other sports with the neighborhood kids but I never played organized sports in high school or college. In 1992, I decided to start my gym journey, but I wasn't consistent and my eating habits were terrible - fast food every day for every meal. I was weak and had a high body fat percentage - I couldn't even lift 30-pound dumbbells..

In 1995, I went to my first amateur bodybuilding competition where there were some guys from my gym competing. I was hooked and I knew I needed to change. Determined to compete in the same competition the following year, I began reading and researching how to eat and train my body properly. One year later, I competed for the first time at an amateur level competition “Mr. Chicago Lightweight” at 155 pounds. I put a lot of work in the gym and in the kitchen to lose 20 pounds and put on as much lean muscle as I could. Unfortunately, I didn't place in the top five, but I was in the best shape of my life, with abs and vascularity (visible veins that showcase low body fat and muscle definition). This experience motivated me to work even harder the following year.

In 1997, I came back and placed 5th in the lightweight division out of 12 guys. If I wasn't hooked already, I definitely was now with my first trophy in hand. In total, I completed six bodybuilding competitions and placed in the top five three times! Fitness became my way of life and I have never looked back.

Since then, fitness has become my way of life.

Here is a recap:

1996 Mr. Chicago Lightweight Bodybuilding

1997 Mr. Chicago Lightweight Bodybuilding – 5th Place

1997 NGA (National Gym Association) Mr. Natural Illinois

1997 AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) Mr. Chicagoland – 4th Place (Tall Class)

1997 to 2001 LaSalle Bank 5k Fun Run, I was also the team captain company's running team.

1998 Mr. Chicago Middleweight

2002 Became a certified personal trainer and worked at a local gym.

2009, December, I hit a milestone in life I did a fitness photo shoot.

2010 TP Bodybuilding Championship – 3rd Place Masters Men, 3rd Place Middleweight

My newest fitness challenge has been mud runs/obstacle courses.

2012 Gladiator Assault Challenge (7+ miles, 30+ obstacles) http://www.gladiatorassaultchallenge.com

2013 Merrell Down and Dirty (6 miles, 20+ obstacles) http://www.downanddirtyobstaclerace.com/

2013 Super Spartan (8+ miles, 20+ obstacles) http://www.spartan.com/ 

2014 Super Spartan (8+ miles, 20+ obstacles) http://www.spartan.com/ 

2015 Savage Race (5-7 miles, 20+ obstacles) https://savagerace.com/

2016 Fitness photo shoot.

2017 Super Spartan (8+ miles, 20+ obstacles) http://www.spartan.com/

2019 Warrior Dash (10K 20 obstacles) - discontinued 2020

I have been advising my family, friends and anyone who asks for years of the importance of fitness and a healthy lifestyle. I believe EVERYONE has an inner athlete you just have to wake them up and unleash your potential.

I am currently an AFAA certified trainer and I am willing to provide my knowledge of fitness, as a life style to anyone interested.

email keith@firstbornfitness.com or by phone (773) 658-9682.