Living with myasthenia gravis hasn’t dampened my determination

Barry Stalker works out at the gym, his favorite place to challenge himself mentally and physically. (Courtesy of Barry Stalker)

This is Barry Stalker’s story:

I was always an active teenager. I played a variety of sports in school, which led me to discover the gym and, eventually, competitive bodybuilding. I entered my first contest at age 17 and spent the next 20 years training hard and competing. I loved the discipline, the structure, and the challenge. I had planned to compete for one final season, until everything changed on Jan. 4, 2015.

That morning, I woke up with double vision. It came out of nowhere. Within days, more strange symptoms appeared, including muscle weakness, fatigue, and difficulty completing everyday tasks. I was admitted to the hospital, where I was eventually diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG).

In April 2015, I had a thymectomy. The recovery was challenging, and I experienced a few relapses along the way. But for the past six or seven years, I’ve been relatively stable. I’m currently going through a mild relapse, but overall, I consider myself fortunate.

Looking back, I believe the lifestyle I had before my MG diagnosis, which included decades of strength training, mental discipline, and a commitment to health, helped prepare me for this. It gave me a strong physical and mental foundation to adapt and cope with this new reality.

Although I never returned to bodybuilding competitions after my diagnosis, I’ve continued to work in the fitness world as a professional personal trainer, a role I’ve held for more than 20 years. While I’ve had to adjust my goals and expectations, I haven’t lost the drive that fueled my bodybuilding career. I still prioritize movement, mindset, and balance.

Myasthenia gravis may have changed the course of my life, but it hasn’t taken away my determination to live it fully.

In recognition of Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month in June, the Myasthenia Gravis Community Spotlight campaign features a series of stories highlighting the real-life experiences of people affected by myasthenia gravis, written in their own words. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or X for more stories like this, using the hashtag #MGSpotlight, or read the full series here.