Rory Koonce Jr.

Rory Koonce Jr.


Biography

Rory Koonce Jr. A.K.A. “The Stone PowerHouse” is a person who believes that the word impossible has no validity! In fact the brawny champion power curler shares his slogan with everyone that he meets, “The Impossible is Possible!” Having had to overcome being diagnosed with cerebral palsy from birth weighing 1bl. 13oz Experiencing the seemingly insurmountable challenges that Doctors stated that Rory would never see, speak, walk, talk or have the use of the left side of his body. However, this was not in God’s plans and at the age of ten he began walking. Currently Rory uses a walker, growing up he saw that people had an interest in how far the human body could be pushed, however that body was never one born with a disability. He then decided to see how far he could push himself not only mentally but physically as well. A former four time baseball champion, four time bowling champion, wheelchair track gold medalist Rory also wrestled in high school and has studied various martial arts including MMA and Brazilian Ju Jitsu. An athlete whom truly embodies hard work and dedication this he has appeared in many media outlets including 6 ABC’s Prospective Delaware, The Delaware News Journal and MuscleProdigy.com where he was deemed a Fitness Prodigy. Rory has also appeared in Muscle & Fitness’s Magazine Tough: Only the Strong Survive Issue in August of 2009 and January 2014 and in 2016 had a full feature Spread called iron Will Today Rory possesses an Associate’s Degree in Business and competes as a power curler for the World Natural Power lifting Federation (WNPF). To date he is the only person on record who power curls from a wheelchair. Rory has won the Delaware State Championship (December 5th, 2009), National Championship two years in a row (June 26th, 2010) and (June 4th, 2011) and the World Championship three years in a row (November 6th, 2010) (November 12-13, 2011) and (November 18, 2012). As well as holding the State, National, and World records in two different weight classes. Likewise he is a Certified Personal Trainer and Sports Nutritionist, through the American Sports and Fitness Association in 2008. He also is a certified metabolic conditioning coach from NESTA and is currently in the process of starting a Holistic Training Program for Disabled Athletes in order to continue to help all athletes and people alike. In 2015 Rory decided to actively compete in bodybuilding. His first competition what is April 25th 2015 where he competed in the INBA’s Chicago Illinois State Championship. His first place victory allowed him to go on to the Ricardo Legends Classic on August 22nd 2015. once again with a first place win Rory went on to compete in and win the biggest event of the year the 2015 natural Mr. Olympia on November 11th 2015 in Las Vegas Nevada. Rory continues to embrace his namesake “The Stone Powerhouse” which is a metaphor for mental and physical strength. He strives every day to show that, “The Impossible is Possible”and truly is beyond physical. “Fortifying Your Body From The Inside Out With Whole Foods And Hard Work”

Q&A'S

  • What happened? Why are you in a Wheelchair?

    I was born early I came at 36 weeks gestation or six months.

  • Why did you get started?

    I grew up watching people like Arnold, I went on to study Frank Zane, samir Bannout, Robbie Robertson, Charles Glass, Lee Haney

  • What made you want to compete?

    Growing up well I seen impressive athletes across all sports I've never seen people take interest and how far a person with cerebral palsy could push their body and athletic prowess across multiple Sports.so I had the desire to want to see how far I could push my own body and limitations.

  • How did you go about doing it?

    After competing and winning championships in breaking records in multiple Sports. I finally decided it was time to return to my first Passion which was bodybuilding because around this time there was such a thing as wheelchair bodybuilding show in 2015 I was searching the internet and I came across the INBA/PNBA. Seeing if they had a physically challenged seated division where I competed I'm 2016 to 2017 winning every show including the natural mr. Olympia championship.

  • What motivates you?

    To motivate and inspire people all across the world and let them know that “the impossible is possible and it's beyond physical”!

  • What suggestions or tips do you have for other?

    Whatever you decide doing life stay dedicated and focused even when the world is against you and give God all the glory!


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