My next Overcoming the Odds article is on a man I’ve known for 21 years. Gordon Weir trains top athletes from all over the Metro area, and is also a personal trainer for adults. For the past 40 years, Mr. Weir has been promoting an event that benefits the Mississippi School for the Deaf. Most importantly, both of Weir’s parents were deaf. Growing up with deaf parents, Gordon had many odds in his life that he had to overcome. “Back in the 60s and 70s, many people did not understand much about deafness so a lot of people made fun of my parents,” he said. Gordon admits he also got into a lot of fights over this! In addition, it was hard for people to understand the way he communicated with his family. “Whenever we would go to restaurants, people would look at us like we were from another world because we used sign language,” Weir says, “but as I got older I overcame that.” The event that Gordon Weir promotes every summer is the NPC Mississippi Championships. This event is a National Qualifier and benefits the Mississippi School for the Deaf which, in turn, helps local deaf students overcome certain odds. While Weir was attending graduate school, he also worked at the deaf school and noticed a need to help their athletic program. "The players would only get a meal of a bologna sandwich and two chocolate chip cookies after their games,” he says, “while all these other schools are going to nice restaurants.” In addition, the only equipment they were getting were hand-me downs and used items. Gordon realized that there was a need for a Booster Club for the school. “The kids played in a small conference and there were no lights,” he says, “so I wanted to give them the same opportunities as children in other schools.” The proceeds from the Bodybuilding Show have helped the children at the Mississippi School for the Deaf have access to adequate sporting equipment as well as trophies for their outstanding accomplishments. To this date, it has raised over $200,000 for the school. In addition to his annual event playing a part in helping the deaf children overcome certain odds, Weir says it also influences everyday people to become more physically fit. “This competition is a sport,” he says “and any sport is a challenge that must be goal-oriented.” Obviously, many people in society work out but still don’t eat properly. When people come to competitions like this and see the hard work that men and women put into both their dieting and training year-round, it can give them more goals to shoot for.
This year Mike O’Hearn, from Los Angeles, California, will grace our stage on July 17th to guest pose and provide awesome entertainment, as well as an unforgettable experience for the athletes and spectators. Mike is a 4-Time Mr. Universe, American Gladiator Titan, Hall of Fame Martial Arts, Bodybuilder, and Actor.
Also to guest pose for us will be IFBB Pro Lauren Roussel from Gonzales, Louisiana. Lauren won Overall Figure at the 2020 Tampa Extravaganza/Pro and earned her pro card at North Americans in Figure. She will make her pro debut on June 26th at the Puerto Rico Pro, and also in 2021 she is scheduled for the Pittsburgh Masters Figure and the Tampa Pro. Lauren also serves as a local NPC judge in Louisiana.
For Tickets, Call 601-906-8837 or 601-906-8772
