Rescue Squad member and Huntingdon Councilmember Chad Barnhart brought home two medals and a third-place finish in his first bodybuilding contest, the NPC Night of Champions on Saturday, November 8 at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
The event is one of the region’s largest, drawing more than a hundred competitors from across the country and abroad.
Barnhart placed third out of 16 in his class.
“It was never about what the other guys looked like,” Barnhart said. “It was about bringing in the best version of myself, and I don’t think I could’ve come in any better.”
The final days were grueling, he said, dropping roughly five pounds leading up to the show.
“It was absolutely draining,” he said. “I’ve been hungry through this whole diet, but you’ve got to do it.”
Barnhart thanked E3 Fitness, Gold’s Gym in Jackson, Hometown Fitness, and several coaches and supporters for helping him prepare over ten months of training.
As for what’s next, Barnhart said he plans to stay lean but will ease back into a more normal routine.
For now, he’s shifting focus to deer season, Thanksgiving, a break with his family, and the return of his well-known December Scavenger Hunt.
