‘Physically Ill To Physically Elite’–The Remarkable Life and Sports Story of Baron Babineaux, Jr.

‘Physically Ill To Physically Elite’–The Remarkable Life and Sports Story of Baron Babineaux, Jr.  http://arklatexhomepage.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=325602#sthash.igf08LT9.dpuf

 

Baron Babineaux overcomes blindness and deafness to become a competing bodybuilder.

Despite unparalleled hardship and challenges compared to most people, nothing stops the ‘can do–will do’ attitude of this driven and inspirational man and competitor.

Baron Babineaux, Jr. is one of the physically elite.  The 34-year-old New Iberia, LA native competes on the NPC/IFBB bodybuilding circuit.  No biggie, right?  That is until you learn that he was dealt about the worst hand anyone could be dealt.  Babineaux was born with Type 1 Usher’s Syndrome.  He was born profoundly deaf and started losing vision in middle school.

Despite his loss of sight and sound, he remained back then (and still does today) dedicated to weightlifting and bodybuilding.

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Given his realities, it would have been very easy to feel sorry for himself.  He could have shut everything down, played into a ‘victim mentality" of self-absorbed entitlement-seeking ‘why me’. You might say that would be an understandable-enough response to his handicap and lot in life.  Peyton Manning and Shaquille O’Neal both say in their respective car commercials that if you think this or that about the vehicles they are sponsoring, "then you don’t know Buick".  If you think Baron, Jr. would respond in that defeated, self-placating way just described, then I would have to say:

"You don’t know Babineaux!!".

It all started with his parents–Baron and Karen Babineaux. Their ‘can do–will do’ attitude has been present and steady as a rock from Baron Jr.’s early childhood.  What they have done so remarkably for over three decades toward his growth and support under extremely adverse odds and circumstances is, in itself, unbelievable.

They are human and the pressures in day-to-day dealing with this disease have more than its share of heartache and frustration for the whole family.  But their example has been constant and unswerving–take time to regroup and reload when the frustrations sometimes overwhelm you.  But keep moving forward, chase your dream whatever it is, and push yourself to realize it.  Never, never give up!!

As such, the results for Baron, Jr.  have been nothing short of amazing.  Do the following factoids on Baron’s personal resume and history indicate an approach or an attitude of ‘woe is me’ or ‘I’m so handicapped’?  Not in the slightest.  As a matter of fact, one might step back or aside or they might get run over.  Baron knows one speed–and that’s full speed and full rudder:

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Baron Jr. participated in school/city league sports–baseball, football, basketball, swimming, (certified lifeguard), karate (orange belt at age 10) til about age 14.  It was then that he began weightlifting.   He gave team sports one last try as a junior in high school and (with his  interpreter) went out for spring training at New Iberia Senior High;

He graduated from NISH in ’97;

Attended Hinds Community College in Jackson, Mississippi;

He was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Fraternity at Hinds his first year of Junior College;

He is a UL Lafayette ’10 grad;

Baron Jr. grew up around the club (Baron’s in New Iberia) and watched bodybuilders like Ivy Oubre, (Mr. Greater Gulf States); Mike Latulas, (Mr. Louisiana and Mr. Universe – natural competition); Travis Etie; and John Durel (Mr Louisiana).

But his competition  "schooling" escalated when at Hinds he purchased Arnold  Schwarzeneggar’s book "Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding" (and read it from cover to cover).  It was at that time, when he still had vision, that he studied bodybuilding poses.  With his excellent memory, he can recall those pictures he studied.

Completed an independent living course at ABL (Affiliated Blind of La) in 2004;

He loves reading and has written many ‘transcripts/articles’ about his life (nothing published yet);

His parents are Baron Sr. (UL Lafayette ’71) and Karen (UL Lafayette ’71 and ’76);
 
Baron, Jr.’s Photo in his "Ragin Cajun" red posing trunks was at the Red Stick Classic in Baton Rouge in May, 2013 (where Baron placed 2nd. He has been in 7 competitions and placed 5 times.  In his last competition in NOLA, he qualified to compete in nationals.

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Since I have learned so much about Baron, Jr. in recent weeks I am pretty reluctant now to say or believe in "can’t"  (like I have all too often in the past).

CAN’T?? Can’t WHAT!!!

Baron Jr. has shown me "CAN" is the word.

Maybe you now have started to ‘see that’ too?

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AN Footnote:  Baron Jr. will be a participant in The NPC Louisiana Championships in Bodybuilding, Physique, Figure, and Bikini To Be Held At Heymann Center Sat. July 13th–Features IFBB Pros As Well As A Tribute To Lafayette’s Red Lerille, Former Mr. America and Owner of Red’s Health & Racquet; All Details of the Day’s Programming/Activities and Events found here:

http://www.lachampionships.com/ 

 

Try and take in the competition if you can and meet Baron.  Not only is his story remarkable–he’s quite remarkable "in the flesh" too!!
 
Submitted by Don Blair, USL Football 1969-72 and Athletic Network on Facebook Coordinator.  

Athletic Network Footnote: Photos of Baron, Jr. are posted on the Athletic Network Facebook.