Always the skinny kid…
When Tyler Harris was a child, he was – to use his own words – “always the skinny kid.”
As he grew older, though, things changed considerably for him.
Today, he isn’t skinny any more – and he has the trophies to prove it.
Competitive bodybuilding caught Tyler’s eye when he was 12 years old, when his father brought home a video showing the eight-time winner of “Mr. Olympia,” the now-retired Ronnie Coleman. Tyler watched the video more than once, and by the age of 14, he had begun doing workouts in a gym. At 16, he entered his first bodybuilding competition. There were seven competitors – and he finished seventh.
“That was a big letdown,” he says, “but I used that as fuel on the fire.” He continued his workouts, coupled with a focus on winning, and the next year, in the same competition, he placed third. The year after that, he placed second. The next year was 2015.
This year, at age 19, at the National Physique Committee’s (NPC’s) bodybuilding competition in Chattanooga called the “Battle at the River” Tyler won First Place in the Teen Division. Then in July, he won again – in Tuscaloosa this time – at the NPC “Clash at the Capstone,” earning First Place in the Teen Division, and Second Place in the Men’s Open Welterweight Division.
When he went to Pittsburgh in July, in the NPC’s “Teen Nationals” competition, Tyler won fourth place in the Middleweight Division of the Teen Nationals.
In the midst of competing, though – with the intense workouts required to prepare for a competition, the strict diet restrictions, the determined attitude required for a win – he maintains a Tim Tebow-like earnestness about His faith in God. It “definitely plays a big role” in his life.
“I give Him thanks for what I’ve done so far,” he said. About his future in bodybuilding competition he said, “I know I can’t do it without Him, and I want to remember to give Him thanks for all the success.”
Tyler’s life is constantly moving in several directions. He lives in Banks County, and works out six days a week. He also is a full-time student at Gainesville’s University of North Georgia, where “I’m working toward a degree in Business Administration,” he said. The degree in business will help him to expand the business he already has: Ripped to Shreds Pro Training, LLC. Through that business he gives personal training sessions for those of all ages who want to improve their physiques. His clients may be bodybuilders, students, or retirees.
“I like to try to help people be as healthy as they can” he says.
When he isn’t directing personal training sessions, going to school, or working out himself, he works in yet another job – as part of management at Lord & Hope Gym in Cornelia. He has worked at Lord & Hope Gym for the last year and a half. If you ask Tyler how he can be involved in so much, he might just invite you to the church he attends, Full Gospel Mission Church in Homer. For him, being able to attend church is important. “Like everything else, you make time,” he says.
Among the important things is an appreciation for his parents, Davy and Heather Harris, and the rest of his family members in Homer who continue to support him wholeheartedly. He also thanks his personal coach, Lloyd Herford, whose knowledge
he says directed him through the wins this summer. Tyler has a plan, too, for what he will NOT do.
“I do not plan on ever being in the Welterweight or Middleweight divisions again,” he said.
Not “the skinny kid” any more, he hopes to compete next time “in the Lightheavy or Heavyweight division” instead.
With a win at the national level, he can qualify for a “Pro Card,” after which his options will expand broadly in professional bodybuilding.
And when can he win at the national level?
“God willing,” he says, “that will take place in the next two or three years.”
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Personal Trainer Tyler Harris may be contacted at 706-768-7573, or [email protected].
