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LAPLACE — Jimmy Toups’ future looked bleak as he fought back against his ailing health, enduring nine surgeries and a major heart attack in less than seven years. Now, at 62 years old, Toups recently claimed the national championship for deadlift at a United States Powerlifting Association competition, and he believes the best part of his life is still ahead of him.

“I want to share this with other people so they know that if something is debilitating them, or they are older, their life is not over. They can make it better,” Toups said.

Toups credits his transformation to a combination of commitment, determination, and healthy lifestyle choices.

Long before he ever competed in sports events, Toups spent many years as a band director, insurance salesman, and a master carpenter. His health spiral began with a torn rotator cuff and a bone spur the size of a golf ball on his shoulder. A mishap during physical therapy led to another tear and another surgery that seemed to set off a chain reaction. Every time Toups would recover from one surgery, something would happen that led to another, but he never lost his desire to help his body heal. Whether he was in a wheelchair or on crutches, Toups found his way to the gym to keep the muscles that weren’t injured in shape.

After his back completely gave out in October 2018, Toups found himself unable to walk for four months. A stretch of inactivity left his wife in charge of his day-to-day care, but Toups’ story didn’t end there. His wife wheeled him into the Baton Rouge Neuro Center for a surgery that helped him regain the ability to walk. In addition to mobility challenges, Toups also found his heart health at risk after he suffered a heart attack and learned he had plaque clogging his artery. As his situation became more dire, Toups threw himself into research and eventually developed a nutritional lifestyle that worked for him. He watched his cholesterol and high blood pressure regulate once he focused on eating protein-packed vegetables and other power meals, without giving up the freedom to indulge in unhealthy foods in moderation. He focused on replacing an excess of cortisol in his body with the four happy hormones – oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin and endorphins.

By September 2022, all of Toups’ doctors had released him without restrictions.

His cardiologist was baffled as he watched videos of Toups lifting weights at the gym.

“My cardiologist told me, ‘I don’t know what to do with you. You’re the only person I’ve ever had that had a major heart attack, cleaned out the artery, put a stent in, and there’s no damage to the heart,’” Toups recalled. “I told him, do this: Use my story to inspire others.”

After he was released by his doctors, Toups gradually worked his way up to bigger weights. His knees, which were previously rebuilt, were now withstanding leg presses of more than 800 pounds. His first competition in Hattiesburg, Mississippi brought him in contact with athletes who were much younger and much taller than him, but he soon learned he could compete with the best.

Toups learned about a state level powerlifting contest called Battle of the Backwater in Pass Christian, Mississippi. Initially nervous, Toups rose to the challenge and took first place in push/pull, a combination of bench press and deadlift. In the process, he broke the state record for deadlift and qualified for the national level competition.

It felt like the stars had aligned when Toups learned this year’s nationals would be held July 13-16, 2023 at the Alario Center in New Orleans. Without a push/pull category at nationals, Toups was set to compete in bench press and deadlift separately. While a recent round of bloodwork set Toups back in the bench press, he still managed to come out second. His true shining moment came during the deadlift competition as he placed first in the nation in his age division by lifting 326.5 pounds, breaking a state record that was already his to begin with. Toups has broken the state deadlift record a total of five times, and he’s confident he will break his current record during his next competition.

“Every doctor I’ve ever had told me not to lift heavy again. The doctors said I can’t, but my body said I can,” Toups said.

This week, Toups received an invitation to the 2023 IPL World Powerlifting Championships set to take place November 16-19 in Eugene, Oregon.

Jill Ray, manager at Anytime Fitness on Belle Terre Blvd. in LaPlace, has witnessed Toups’ journey since he joined the gym just over a year ago. She was astonished to learn that Toups is new to the powerlifting competition world.

“It’s surprising that he won considering this is only his second competition, ever, and he’s starting at the age of 62. He works and trains very hard. He’s had a lot of health issues, but he’s never let it make him fall back. He’s always pushed forward,” Ray said. “He’s done a lot of work and has succeeded through all of his challenges. Every goal he’s had, he’s accomplished.” Jill Ray, manager at Anytime Fitness on Belle Terre Blvd. in LaPlace, has witnessed Toups’ journey since he joined the gym just over a year ago. She was surprised to learn that Toups is new to the powerlifting competition world.

“It’s surprising that he won considering this is only his second competition, ever, and he’s starting at the age of 62. He works and trains very hard. He’s had a lot of health issues, but he’s never let it make him fall back. He’s always pushed forward,” Ray said. “He’s done a lot of work and has succeeded through all of his challenges. Every goal he’s had, he’s accomplished.”

Toups challenges others to be proactive about embracing the happiness and vibrance of life, because something as simple as holding hands with a loved once during a walk through the park can positively impact health.

Those who need a listening ear or help starting their own health journey can reach out to Toups on Facebook.

“It doesn’t have to be about going to the gym,” Toups said. “If you have the will to live and enjoy life, you can overcome almost anything.”