Ben Yada – Inspirational Story

Ben Yada - Inspirational Story - NW Fitness Magazine - Williams Productions
Ben Yada - Inspirational Story - NW Fitness Magazine - Williams Productions

Ben Yada – Inspirational Story – NW Fitness Magazine.

Ben Yada - Inspirational Story - NW Fitness Magazine - Williams Productions
Ben Yada – Inspirational Story – NW Fitness Magazine – Williams Productions

As told by Julie Sheldon, Bens Mom…

Ben Yada, Inspirational fitness story
Ben Yada, Inspirational fitness story

“I want to introduce you to an extraordinary young man, my son, Ben Yada.  Ben’s mission in life was to become a member of the Navy Seals.  Unfortunately, that dream was not to be due to a peanut allergy which kept him from enlisting in the military. On April 6, 2003, Ben crashed his CBR 954 motorcycle on the Alaskan Way Viaduct in Seattle, WA.  He went off the upper level falling approximately 30 ft. to the freeway below.  Fortunately, he was near Harborview Medical Center where he remained for nearly 3 months.  Ben was in a coma for weeks and his recovery required him to learn to breath on his own, swallow, speak, walk, all over in addition to polytrauma (ankles, pelvis, sacrum, ribs, jaw, internal bleeding, multiple infections, blood clots, ventilator, etc.) including injuries requiring a dozen surgeries.

 

Despite what doctors can only describe as a miracle (expected to be in a permanent vegetative state), Ben has completed an

Ben Yada - Inspirational story - NW Fitness Magazine - Williams Productions
Ben Yada – Inspirational story – NW Fitness Magazine – Williams Productions

Associate Degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in General Studies from Central Washington University.  Ben has always been very involved in physical fitness, particularly weight lifting and body building, and was a certified personal trainer with Powerhouse’s Gym in SeaTac, WA at the time of the accident. His motivation to recover and getting back to the gym gave him his life back.  The photo of Ben by the red Mustang was taken approximately 18 months after the accident.

Ben decided to train for the Emerald Cup which has a long history in the Seattle bodybuilding community.  He bulked up to 285 lbs. and on the day of the competition, he weighed 196 lbs.  The competition was held on May 8 & 9, 2015 at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, WA.  There were over 500 competitors in all

Ben Yada, Inspirational Story - NW Fitness Magazine - Williams Productions
Ben Yada, Inspirational Story – NW Fitness Magazine – Williams Productions

categories.  Ben received the Most Inspirational award in front of a packed house and received a standing ovation.  The NPC WA State Men’s Physique is Ben’s second competition and his goal is continual improvement.

Ben has been an inspiration to me.  I saw him fight his way back from the brink of death.  Ben continues to attend the brain injury support group at Harborview Medical Center, as his work schedule allows, to help others facing similar circumstances.  He gives hope to families and friends of loved ones facing the uncertain world of recovery.  Ben is a member of the Power Team at Life Change Church and is an inspiration to all who know him.  He sets goals for himself and he achieves them.  Ben’s goal in life is to help others.”

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