My name is Brian Simmons. I live in Marrero, Louisiana, about 15 minutes from New Orleans. I am 26 years old and I was born with Spina Bifida. My defect is at L5 S1 on the spine, which is right at the base of the spine. It has affected my lower body to where eventually I had to start using a wheelchair. I work for the Gretna Police Department in the Courthouse Security Division as a Civilian Security Officer. I first got interested in Wheelchair Bodybuilding when a friend who worked at the gym I joined, Dalton Hunter, invited me to attend the 2007 NPC USA Wheelchair Bodybuilding Championship/Greater Gulf States Bodybuilding Show.  After seeing the guys up on stage and how awesome they looked I decided that is what I wanted to do.  So I started training for bodybuilding with my good friend Dalton.  He is one of the biggest reasons I can train the way I do.  He has come up with some great unconventional exercises for me to do, especially when it comes to cardio.  Thank you Dalton!!!  You are like a brother to me.  After a few setbacks I eventually rolled on stage at the 2010 Greater Gulf States/USA Wheelchair Bodybuilding Championship where I took 3rd in the Novice Division and 2nd in the Heavyweight Open Division.  I am looking forward to competing in many, many more competitions.  

I would like to thank my parents, Jerry and Peggy Simmons for putting up with my crankiness while dieting and believing in me. I want to thank Dalton for seeing the potential in me and sticking with me through thick and thin. I would like to thank my brother David, his wife Jennifer and my nephew David Jr., for all of their support.  I want to thank Scot and Wes Cannon for helping me in the gym and for giving me encouragement.  I want to thank all of my supporters in the gym and outside the gym, if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have pushed as hard as I did.