How the Chicago Bears got a father and son through cancer

A little background…

Garth has always prioritized three things in his life: Faith, family and fitness. He has been a pastor for over 30 years, has two sons and never misses a workout.

By “workout,” though, I mean a serious workout. Garth’s history includes a lot of powerlifting, attending and also helping with professional meets and even training his boys. He’s a big gym rat. He’s also a big dude — 6-foot-2, weighing about 270 pounds.

Garth not only never misses a workout, but he also never misses his morning routine before the workout, which includes his prayer time. If you ask him, that time is the most important time of his day. So, almost every day without fail, will include a workout. But, you can guarantee each day will include time spent in his Bible.

When all else fails, he’s always wanted his faith, family and fitness to remain constant — and that’s exactly what he’s done for almost 55 years on this earth. He’s a model of consistency; a real inspiration.

His family has always looked at him as a superhero. He’s built like an ox, always knew the right thing to do in any situation and puts his family first in every circumstance. Truthfully, I couldn’t speak high enough of him, even as his son. He’s a man I’ve always emulated. I have always said that if I end up as half the dad and husband he was and is, I will have been a massive success.

It is no wonder, then, that the day everything changed hit me like a a punch to the gut.