Hunter’s Childhood
Hunter Mann is a Florida native. His story is full of tragedy and triumph.
While he was still too young to remember, his biological parents divorced. Custody was given to his mother and an eventual stepfather. His mother, both an alcoholic and an addict, inflicted horrific physical abuse on Hunter.
At age five, Hunter was hospitalized in Orlando in a fight for his life. Almost unbelievably, he had been force-fed rat poison. Doctors pumped his stomach while fearing the worst. The common consensus of the healthcare providers was that Hunter would not survive. Most of the rat poison had made it to his bloodstream, and his vital organs were failing. Doctors told his family that Hunter would die in a matter of hours.
Upon arrival at the hospital, Hunter’s biological father and grandfather were informed of Hunter’s seemingly hopeless prognosis. Frantically, they began calling all over the country, until they found a physician with a radical approach to treating the very type of poisoning that was now shutting Hunter’s body down. His family flew this doctor in from Chicago in hopes of saving Hunter’s life.
This doctor’s radical treatment included injecting Hunter intravenously with rattlesnake venom! This –amazingly— worked, and against all odds Hunter survived!
After his recovery, Hunter went to live with his biological father and stepmother in Nashville, where he finally was able to live a normal, healthy life.
At age sixteen Hunter left his family’s home in search of a job. He was hired at a health club, and soon showed himself to be a natural in the personal training business. He had been lifting weights since the age of fourteen and had developed an advanced physique, superior to men much older than he was. At this young age, he gravitated towards helping less fortunate people. Hunter had then –as now— a love and natural propensity for helping others.
Hunter’s Young Adult Years
At eighteen, Hunter went to Venice, California, where he began training at Gold’s Gym to prepare for the Teenage America bodybuilding competition. It was an incredible experience to be in Gold’s Gym in Venice Beach and see, for the first time, all of those professional bodybuilders! Hunter befriended many of them and learned invaluable training philosophies and techniques. He eagerly soaked up knowledge from every pro bodybuilder training there at the time.
Hunter placed third in that Teenage America show that year. Soon he returned to the southeast and continued to work as a trainer and membership consultant for several different fitness centers. Still age eighteen, Hunter won his first show, The Mr. Dixie competition. Within a year, Hunter won both the Teenage Mr. Atlantic States title and the Open Division Mr. Atlantic States, as well as placing first in all muscle groups.
At twenty Hunter took second place in the Mr. Southern States show. He spent the next eight years as a personal fitness trainer and fitness center manager, ultimately landing in Austin, Texas, where he opened the first of three fitness centers called Future Firm. Hunter was always hands-on in his work, and he trained his members one-on-one and continued to maintain a world-class physique.
During this time, Hunter’s love for the underserved emerged again. He became actively involved with Special Olympics, the Dare Foundation, Boy Scouts of America, the Center for Battered Women, and many other important charities. After six or so years, Hunter sold his three fitness clubs in Texas and returned to California and became a sought after celebrity fitness trainer. He trained his famed clients in home gyms and in one of his two private training studios: one in Beverly Hills, the other in West Los Angeles.
Hunter Escapes Death Again
In early 2007, a case of pneumonia required that Hunter be placed on a ventilator for eleven days. Doctors told Hunter’s family his prognosis was touch and go. Once again his life was hanging in the balance. Miraculously, at the end of those eleven days on the ventilator, Hunter’s lungs began to clear, and he was able to breathe on his own. Through the Hunter-is-not-going-to-die-on-our-watch attitude of the team of doctors and nurses at Lincoln Memorial Hospital, and because of the prayers of his family, Hunter once again cheated death!
Having survived insurmountable odds, Hunter was told he would never be able to lift weights again. Too, due to all the damage done to his heart, he went into atrial fibrillation and was suffering from congestive heart failure. Odds were he would likely need a heart transplant soon. This would certainly guarantee that he would never be able to compete in another bodybuilding competition. That was in June of 2007.
Hunter made a full recovery! Despite all the ominous predictions, Hunter’s pit bull, never-quit spirit just simply would not give up. He has continued to stay active in the world of bodybuilding and competed in two national shows in 2010, the Masters Nationals, and the IFBB North America, taking second place at both. He competed in the Masters Nationals again in 2012 and took second place there, too.
To This Day
Hunter is now in Nashville, Tennessee, near family members he loves very much. He loves the Nashville area and has decided that Nashville is a great place to continue doing what he loves most: serving as a personal fitness trainer. Hunter believes he has been playing with house money since his near-death experience at age five. Every day that he wakes up and sees the sunrise, he believes it is a gift from God. Hunter has a special message for anyone who feels they can’t continue on or feels like they have failed at life: “You only fail when you quit trying!”
Hunter hopes that sharing his story will be an inspiration to anyone who has suffered abuse or a debilitating medical affliction.
This is Hunter’s favorite poem of inspiration! He hopes it will inspire you as it has him!
“DON’T QUIT”
John Greenleaf Whittier
When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is strange with its twists and turns
As every one of us sometimes learns
And many a failure comes about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow—
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out—
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell just how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit—
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.
Hunter’s Qualifications
Hunters Early Year’s
At age 16, I left my older brother’s house went out and got a job at a health club. However, company policy required that you be at least 18 years old to work there. I sat down with the owner and due to my immaculate shape and great personality I got hired on as a trainer and membership consultant. I was a natural at the business. I had been lifting weights since age 14 as part of my football training regimen. During this time I had developed an advanced physique superior to men much older than me. I also gravitated towards helping people and working with the members this just came as a natural second nature to me I had a love and natural propensity for training and inspiring others!
At age 16, I left my older brother’s house, went out and got a job at a health club. Company policy required that a person be at least eighteen years old to be employed. Despite this, after talking with the owner and due to my immaculate shape and affable personality, I was hired as a trainer and membership consultant. I was a natural at the business. I had been lifting weights since age fourteen as part of my football-training regimen. During this time I had developed an advanced physique, superior to men much older than I was. I also gravitated towards helping people and working with the members. This was second nature to me. I had a love and natural propensity for training and inspiring others!
At age eighteen, I went to Venice, California, and started training at Gold’s Gym to prepare for The Teenage America competition. It was such an incredible experience for me to go to Gold’s Gym in Venice Beach and witness all of those professional bodybuilders. I befriended many of them and learned countless invaluable training philosophies and techniques. I was a sponge and was eager to soak up the knowledge from every professional bodybuilder training in Gold’s Gym during that era. I took third place in the Teenage America show that year. Since I was only eighteen, I was still eligible to return the next year and try again for the title.
After the competition, I returned to the southeast and continued to work as a fitness trainer and membership consultant for a few different fitness centers. At age eighteen I won my first show, The Mr. Dixie competition. Then at age nineteen, I won both the Teenage Mr. Atlantic States and the Open Division Mr. Atlantic States, as well as placing first in all muscle groups.
At age twenty, I placed second in the Mr. Southern States show. I then spent the next eight years as a personal fitness trainer and fitness center manager. Ultimately ending up in Austin, Texas, I started the first of three fitness centers called Future Firm. I have always stayed hands-on and trained my members on a one-on-one basis, while maintaining a world-class physique.
During this time-frame I became very proactive with the Special Olympics, children with Down Syndrome, the Dare Foundation, the Boy Scouts of America, the Center for Battered Women and many other important charities. After about six years, I sold those clubs in Texas and went back to California and became a sought after celebrity fitness trainer. I had many celebrity clients I trained in their homes. I also had two private training studios, one in Beverly Hills and one in West Los Angeles.
Life in California
While I was a celebrity personal fitness trainer, I was also training twice a day at Gold’s Gym in Venice. My training partner at that time was world champion Mr. Universe and second runner-up in the Mr. Olympia competition, Mike Christian. Mike and I met when I first got to Gold’s Gym when I was training for the Mr. Los Angeles title on my second return trip to California. I was amazed at how focused, friendly, and outgoing Mike was. All those things have always been a hallmark of my training philosophy. I’ve believed in training as hard as possible under maximum intensity.
During my time in the gym, many people would approach me with questions. I enjoyed taking a few seconds to answer their questions, until it was time for my next set! So many advanced bodybuilders have had the reputation of being very introverted and inapproachable. However, I’m quite the opposite. I’ve wanted to be charismatic whenever approached, whether in gyms, malls, or even grocery stores! Mike Christian possessed the same personality and philosophy, treating everybody with respect. He was always gregarious and kind. He and I became great friends and together had the reputation of training harder than everybody else. The intensity of our workouts was extreme, for sure, yet both of us remained friendly and approachable during our workouts.
Gold’s Gym in Venice Beach was packed full of good bodybuilders and tourists who visited to see the advanced bodybuilders honing their craft. I made my best gains and got to my personal best when Mike Christian and I trained together for those couple of years. Those will always be cherished times for me, and Mike will always remain one of my oldest and dearest friends.
Recent Accomplishments & Closing Statement
Over the years I have continued to stay active in the world of bodybuilding. I competed in many national shows. In 2010 I competed in the Masters Nationals and the IFBB North America shows. I took second place in both. In 2012 I competed in the Masters Nationals, where again I took second place.
Now I want to ask you a few questions. I want to help you visualize your goals. I’ve given you a good bit of background about how I acquired my knowledge. Now let me share with you how I will convey and articulate my knowledge to you. So should I have the opportunity to become your trainer, you can rest assured have the experience needed. This will help me help you get maximum results from your training and nutritional program!
Can you remember a time in your life when you felt your best?
Your mind was right and your body was fit?
A time when you woke up in the morning excited about your day?
Your energy was boundless and you were ready to attack your responsibilities with passion?
Your stomach felt light and your clothes fit great?
Your morning meal didn’t slow you down and you had pep in your step?
What would it be like to feel this way again?
Whether you are a man, a woman, a teenager or a senior citizen, I have the experience and the wisdom to optimize the time you spend pursuing your fitness goals.
How would you like to get the same results in the next 6 months that would take you 6 years on your own?
I have more than thirty years experience designing and customizing exercise and nutritional plans for virtually all types of people: entertainers, busy professionals, high school and college athletes, as well as professional. I have also trained women who prefer to stay as fit as possible during pregnancy and return to their optimum size soon after delivery.
For starters, you have to do your part first. Please complete the Fitness Assessment form I provide you here. Once you complete this form, I will have all the information I need to get you ready and motivated to tackle your workouts with commitment!
There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to the psychology of motivating you to take action. Everybody is different, and what motivates one person might overwhelm another. Simply stated, knowing what you need to do is one thing, while getting you to do it is something entirely different!
Proper nutrition will play a vital role in your overall success. And there are many different approaches that work well. The question is which approach is going to work best for you: low carbohydrate, low-fat, or low calorie? We will figure it out together!
Do not let one more minute of your life pass you by; take action right now right and fill out the fitness profile to provide me with the information I need to help you take action! Any obstacle will be overcome with a positive mental attitude and a can-do spirit! As a fitness trainer serving Beverly Hills, Bellaire, and Malibu, I worked with movie producers, Industrialist, celebrities, and a great many business professionals. Now I’m back in Nashville close to my family where I began my life, proudly serving the good folks here as the area’s premier personal fitness trainer.
In closing, rest assured everything you share with me about your current weight, condition, health, lifestyle, or your fitness goals will be client-trainer privileged information and will always remain confidential!
Your future trainer and motivator, Hunter
“Forgive Them Anyway”
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
(This version is credited to Mother Teresa; original by Dr. Kent M. Keith.)
