Without breaking a sweat, Chris Bryne stands on the World Fitness Federation podium like a bronze Zeus, showing the full power of his chiseled body.
An unlikely sight for a teenager who was told he would never walk again.
More than any teenager, New Plymouth’s man’s worst nightmare was confined to a hospital bed.
“At school I said yes to all sports: cricket, football, rugby, tennis, indoor sports. ”
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At first, doctors said it was growing pains. Soon, Brine’s acute pain and chronic fatigue left him completely bedridden. As a result of the side effects, Brine became ill with lupus.
“They didn’t even list it as a side effect. It makes you more likely to win the lottery. It was life-changing. Soon I couldn’t walk or raise my hands.”
Brine’s case was so serious that he was admitted to the hospital’s arthritis ward. This was the youngest patient in half a century.
Vanessa Laurie/staff
New Plymouth resident Chris Bryne – Bryne recently recovered from a decade-long battle with lupus and is currently competing in international bodybuilding tournaments.
A chronic autoimmune disease that can affect almost any organ in the body, lupus most often requires lifelong management.
“I couldn’t even hold the sheets in my hands because of the pain.”
Bryne spent 18 months in the ward and endured this waking nightmare.
Coming out of the hospital, now 16, he was withdrawn and depressed. Depressed by his social isolation and dejected to have gained an additional 50kg, Brynn said he had gained 120kg in 18 months from his U55kg rugby team. rice field.
Chris Brine/Courtesy
Chris Blaine and his wife Amber Blaine are both champion bodybuilders.
Discharged in a wheelchair, his time in confinement and his quiet suffering inspired a new approach to health. He ended up enlisting in the New Zealand Army.
“The military was the hardest thing imaginable, but it was something I was passionate about anyway,” Bryne said.
After a year of marching, running and training, Bryne lost all her hospital weight and gained a new sense of self.
“A lot of things I thought to myself. Knowing what I know now, there were easier ways than starving myself.
Bryne retired after six years as an infantryman and now works in coaching and training to improve people’s health.
Vanessa Laurie/staff
Bryne and his wife will represent New Zealand at the WFF World Championships in Indonesia.
His choice suggests that systemic lupus erythematosus was the catalyst for a radical change – after losing control over his body and its functioning, he exercised complete control and made it human. pushed to the limits of his efforts.
On this track, Brian met his current wife, Amber, the old-fashioned way through a dating site, arranging their first date (on the gym floor, of course).
“I’m not good at approaching women, I didn’t do it, and I wasn’t confident in myself. The first date we arranged a training session – it was our first formal date. I We had very similar interests and goals.”
She expressed a long-standing interest in wanting to start bodybuilding, and Bryne promised to devote himself to it with her.
“I said if you do it, I’ll do it. From there, we were able to get the coach on board and we were into it.”
Bryne’s multiple challenges and total dedication to his training show a level of commitment like no other, but “anyone can do it,” he insists.
“I’m nothing special, but being consistent has allowed me to achieve things in life that I never thought I could achieve.”
Vanessa Laurie/staff
Bryne balances over 20 weeks of training and a full-time coaching schedule with two children.
Brine’s preparation for bodybuilding tournaments is measured in years, not days or weeks.
“It will be your everything, 24/7, 365 days a year.”
Bodybuilding requires full involvement of body and mind – competitions add yet another level of demand to this.
With major competitions like the World Championships in three weeks away, Bryne’s training schedule peaks, with about 12 hours of cardio and 9 hours of weight training per week. Attending an international show could end up costing him over $12,000.Bryne to represent New Zealand
This competition version of Bryne is a far cry from who I was when I was 15.
Vanessa Laurie/staff
A New Plymouth local said bodybuilding has become “everything” since his illness.
He organizes his days around training, clients and family. A life full of things that once seemed out of reach, lupus is now ‘completely gone’.
“Life is unpredictable. Bodybuilding has taught me structures that need support around me.”
Bryne hopes that by sharing his story, other people who suffer from chronic illnesses can feel hope even in the lowest points of their experiences.
“Gyms are meant to help people function and improve their quality of life in the long run.”
Bryne will be competing at the World Championships in November, the sum of his professional career so far. Bryne expresses her gratitude to her family for helping her along the way.
“Our family may not understand it — and may find us a little silly — but they know it’s important.
