Armless body builder Barbie Thomas is making headlines for placing in both Jr. Nationals and and the North American Championships over the summer. She impressed with her dancing abilities and she’s opening up about her accomplishments despite her physical setbacks.
Thomas, 37, lost her arms when she was just 2-years-old and has two sons aged 13 and 17. The National Physique Committee (NPC) was so impressed with her that they gave her the inaugural Inspiration Award last year.
“I was not allowed to be negative and say I can't do something," she told ABC News about her childhood. "I was always taught to focus on what I can do, not what I can't do. It probably has a lot to do with my personality -- I can't imagine being a negative Nancy all the time."
After her dance routine in her competitions this year, which included moves like high kicks and splits, the judges were blown away.
"We were thinking, 'How can she do that routine?' but she blew our minds," said Miles Nuessle, Arizona chairman of the NPC. "She was absolutely beautiful. She was on the floor jumping up and doing splits. I don't know what half the moves were called. She was rolling all over the place and shaking it -- sexy, athletic, fun and emotional. The crowd went nuts.”
Thomas tells the story about how she lost her arms on her website, Fitness Unarmed.
image: Barbie Thomas' website