The Pittsburgh Fitness Expo and Kumite Classic are proud to have Vince Brasco as a special inspirational speaker Saturday May 24th at the Monroeville Convention Center.  If you believe… you can achieve!

The Biography on Vince “Mini Hulk” Brasco:

Born with achondroplasia, a common form of dwarfism, Vince has had overcome extreme physical challenges to be where he is today, including 15 surgeries, one of which he almost lost his life. Some of these include meniscus surgery, a spinal fusion and decompression to which he lost 5 liters of blood, and neck surgery performed by Dr. Benjamin Carson. He’s suffered from kyphosis, to which the spine angles outward, requiring the use of a brace worn 24 hours a day from the time he was 6 months old until he was four. He couldn’t walk until he was over the age of two years old due to complications of his dwarfism. He had to use oxygen just as long, as well.  Standing at just 4’1”, Vince has placed first in his division for weightlifting twice, with the first being during the Pittsburgh Monster Meet Bench Press in April of 2013 for bench pressing 245 and only weighing 92 pounds, and the second at the Kumite Classic in May of the same year, pressing 255 and weighing 94 pounds. Don’t tell him he can’t overcome something. “It’s not about how much weight you can push or how strong you are physically, but what does matter is how big your heart is and how dedicated you are. Never give up and keep working at your goals. Believe.” He says. He’s at the gym 4 to 5 days a week and spends 3 to 4 hours each time. He spends time in the sauna to detoxify his body, and makes sure he makes healthy choices with his meals. He knows that those with achondroplasia suffer from unique physical difficulties, but it not an excuse to surrender and not care for yourself. When he is at the gym he will modify equipment for him so he can use certain things. For example when he is working out his legs he needs to put two plates on the seat so he can reach the sled. Doing this makes him able to do the exercise the right way on the leg press.  “Get active. Also if you do not like your height or how long your limbs are, tough, it is the way God has made you. There is always a purpose for everyone in life. No matter that they are, Tall or short, big or small.” In 2011, he was featured in the Huffington Post and the Mirror UK as the world’s smallest firefighter, ignoring those who questioned his ability to do what he needed to do. Just the same, and again because of the resilience that is as much a part of him as his dwarfism, Vince was also able to ignore bullying in high school and thumb his nose at anyone telling him he can’t do something. “Do not consider his appearance or his height for the lord looks at the heart.” Samuel 16:7 is tattooed on his chest. If there’s anyone that knows Vince, his stature and the size of his heart are diametrically opposed. Supported by his loving family, and dedicated friends in the community and coworkers, Vince knows that the biggest deterrent to any goal is himself. He’s pushed his own limits, ignored negative self-talk, and relied on his faith to pull him through the difficult times where he questions his ability.

He is currently employed at Best Buy in Tarentum, Pa, and is attending classes at ITT Tech Tarentum for Computer Networking. He will be competing at his first body building show on May 3rd in the Mr. Pittsburgh at the Soldiers and Sailors memorial in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  He will follow up with a visit the Kumite Classic and Pittsburgh Fitness Expo May 23-24th at the Monroeville Convention Center.

Vince gives alot of credit to his coach Tad who is influencing him with dieting right, training right, practice posing, and getting into his head about how he can never give up.  Tad Inoue aka the Diet Coach is in his corner.