The bodybuilding doctor.

Dr. Francis Cormier is an orthopedic surgeon at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s in Detroit Lakes. On Saturday he donned a pair of boxers (at age 59, he refused to wear a speedo) and stepped on stage to show off his physique at the NPC Upper Midwest Bodybuilding, Physique, Figure and Bikini Championships in Fargo.

He took home three awards: third place in Masters Men’s Physique, fifth place for Men’s Physique Class B, and fifth in Novice Men’s Physique Class B.

“I started to train just to be a better person,” he told DL Online “I knew I’d be a better person overall, mentally and physically. I wanted to find something I could do to stay fit; I also thought it would influence other people.”

This was Cormier’s first bodybuilding show. He decided to enter as a new stimulus to reach his personal fitness goals. His wife said:

“Francis is very goal-oriented. When he puts his mind on something, he’ll go until he gets to the end of it.”

At that, he succeeded. Cormier hoped to get down to 7 percent body fat, and he had achieved that by the time of the competition. Since starting an intensive diet, exercise and weight-lifting routine last March, Cormier has lost 40 pounds—and gained a lot of muscle. The result, he said, is that he feels better both physically and mentally. He has more energy, more stamina, is more alert, and feels like he can get his work done more efficiently.

Six days a week, Cormier gets to Anytime Fitness by 5 a.m. to train. After work, he does 45 minutes of cardio.

“Family life is happier, patients see you progress, and they’re motivated—or at least it gives them the message that anything’s possible, that they can do it,” he said of what’s been most rewarding for him. “I always tell them, ‘If you do it, if you change your lifestyle, there’s a 100 percent chance you’ll get rewards.’ What are they? That’s unknown…but positive things will come into your life. There’s no doubt in the world that that happens.”

Cormier also reduced his calorie intake to 3000 per diem through 6 meals. Sunday is always a “cheat day.” Cormier doesn’t work out  and he eats whatever he wants.

After this competition he says he feels more motivated than ever. His wife is assured he will compete again.

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