MIDGET MUSCLEMAN
Our story begins back in August of 1971, in a little town of Erie, Pennsylvania. At this time of year a star was born, a star of great proportions and not-so great height. The light was shed on a man who no one would understand and no one would give a chance to. From the beginning of his life to the present, Mike Stockheimer has struggled through every thick and thin and beaten every tough corner he has had to turn. He has been able to compete with people that would never think they would see this little wonder. Mike had it tough as a kid, no one likes the midgets. You can just think of the name-calling and the bullying that he received. He was abused as a young child and was moved into a foster home after his father murdered his mother in a fit of drunken rage. These unforgettable experiences just made Mike stronger as he found a way to relieve his pain. His getaway? What was it? It was the only art that Mike could perfect and learn on his own, weightliftingNot being able to compete in league sports because of his 4’3” frame, he decided to take matters into his own hands. As small and stubby as those hands are, Mike was able to grip that 45-pound bench press bar and push it straight into the sky. At that moment Mike fell in love with the sport of weight lifting and decided to take it up as a hobby. Years passed and look at Mike now. He has overcome the pressures of dwarfism and conquered the fear of being stepped on by his enemies. He is now able to put up a weight of 245-pounds and also able to compete in competitions with normal sized people. | Winning his first competition at 24, Mighty Mike was in tears. He celebrated by buying a kids meal at the local McDonalds and then ventured to the local liquor-store to buy some of his favorite beer. “Anything in a 40 oz. bottle” says Mike. After some argument of his age (the liquor-store owner thought he was ten) Mike was able to purchase his ‘Forty for the Shorty’ and enjoyed it as his reign of King of the Midgets lasted.Mike’s unbelievable story of fighting to win has inspired many other dwarfs and midgets to live their dreams. Winning that competition was only the start of his career however. Later that same week, Mike received a phone call from David Hasslehoff. Yes, that is correct, the producer of Baywatch. David asked Mike to appear on the show for a special Christmas edition. Mike agreed and was soon playing a part of one of Santa’s elves on vacation. This lifted Mike’s career to new heights, as did his new platform shoes. Mike’s experiences have astonished us all and made the rest of us realize that no matter how small you are, no dream is too big. |
| ® copyright 1999 by Brian Robinson |
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