An award-winning bodybuilder reveals he was called “chicken legs” due to a rare muscle-wasting disease – now he’s defying the odds.
John Nixon didn’t have an easy life growing up and struggled to fit in with his peers at school as he “looked and walked differently” from everyone else.
The branch manager, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, has a disease known as Charcot Marie Tooth, CMT, which has caused lasting damage to the muscles in his legs and feet.
Due to this, he’s been mocked for the way he walks and has been called names such as “slug feet” and “chicken legs”.
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Now, he’s sharing his story to inspire others after transforming his body and life, to become a triple award-winning bodybuilder.
“It’s a nasty disease that cruelly tries to take away [my] independence – it’s like a computer virus,” John, 44, told What’s The Jam.
“It attacks and we have to find ways to combat it.
“But, it inevitably finds a way around, so we have to work harder to beat it.
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“Inside the house, I crawl around at times and go up and down the stairs on my bum.
“I also have to crawl into the shower, but I’m grateful that I can even do this.”
John didn’t receive an official diagnosis until he was 12 years old after his parents took him to the doctor following a series of issues.
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He said: “I had muscle wastage in my lower legs, feet deformity, including a high arch, hammer toes and bunions.
“I also suffered with rolling ankles, dislocations, strength and balance issues.
“I could never find a suitable pair of footwear, I struggled to run and was noticeably smaller – and weaker – than other boys.
“[In school], I loved sports, but struggled to play – particularly football, running and field sports.
“I walked very differently, bow-legged, with a limp.
“I was laughed at and called names on occasion, such as ‘penguin’.
“People, including childhood ‘friends’, imitated the way that I walked.
“It was humiliating and haunted me for a long time.
“I even remember once a student kicked my legs from underneath me on the way out of school.”
Due to his condition, which is a group of inherited disorders that cause nerve damage, he felt quite “lonely”.
John said: “I felt like the only person on the planet with CMT at the time.
“I was very lonely in the fact that even I didn’t understand it.
“I still did PE at school, though running was extremely embarrassing.
“People called me ‘spacker’ when I ran.”
Up until the age of 28, he found working out difficult and avoided doing anything to improve his fitness, strength or physique.
He joined the gym, despite not knowing anything about weightlifting or nutrition, and copied others.
In 2019, he saw a comment from someone on Facebook calling him “chicken legs” – which spurred him to hit back and show people that he is capable.
He said: “I knew I had to show the world what I have and to help others through it.
“I decided to be pragmatic and show my progress online.
“I also wanted to improve my strength, balance and aesthetic physique.
“It’s been a journey of self-learning, development, studying, being coached and using the process to improve my physique, fitness and life.”
During this time, he’s only suffered one injury after rolling his foot and breaking it – but he’s not let the setback stop him.
Now, he’s taken part in five bodybuilding competitions; winning three and coming second in two.
In a bid to inspire others, he’s sharing his story of determination and is currently coaching people online with similar conditions.
John added: “I recently won my pro card at the NFM disability category in Wolverhampton.
“A dream come true.
“I never thought I would be able to get on stage.
“I was on a stage with some of the best amateur bodybuilders in Britain, holding my own – that was unreal.
“I enjoy helping and motivating other people to lead active healthier lifestyles.
“I have no doubt in my mind that this lifestyle improves both physical and mental health for anyone.
“There is no known cure for CMT – but it can be managed through physio, exercise, painkillers, supportive footwear, mobility tools and mindset.
“I’m living proof.”
