Former body-builder aims to inspire others

When Anthony Catanzaro was 15 years old, he began his body-building career with a set of weights he got as a birthday present and a bench he bought with Christmas money.

Inspired by Hulk Hogan, he won many awards, starting with 1997 Mr. Fitness Champion.

He later won several other titles, including the 2001 International Natural Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (INBF) Tournament of Champions, Middleweight Champion, first runner-up for 2003 Fame America Model Universe and 2005 INBF Natural New York City Middleweight Champion.

Catanzaro grew up in Bayshore, Long Island. He and his wife, Tina, moved to Sparta in November 2022.

His weightlifting success catapulted him to a second career in modeling and acting. He has appeared on shows, such as VH1’s “Black Ink Crew,” “Rachael Ray Show” and “Dr. Oz,” and has acted in shows, such as “Sex and the City” and “Law and Order.”

He also competed on the reality TV show “Mr. Romance” and has modeled for the covers of many romance novels.

Catanzaro hosted several infomercials, including for Energym Turbo Stepper, Tony C’s Pure Power and Energym Flexx Bar.

Got worse fast

Even as his career continued to reach new heights, he began to notice small changes in his body.

“I’ve always been healthy. One day I woke up and had trouble tying my shoes,” he said.

He initially attributed the changes to being tired but “it got progressively worse fast,” he said.

A neurologist diagnosed him with Parkinson’s disease in 2013.

The Catanzaros recalled the despair that they felt at the initial diagnosis.

“We didn’t believe it at first,” Tina said.

But Catanzaro quickly turned his despair into hope.

“It shocked the hell out of me,” he said, referring to his diagnosis. “On the train ride home, I thought, ‘What am I going to do with my life?’ And the next day I got up and I said, ‘You know what? I’m going to get up now and do what I normally do. I’m going to go to the gym.’ ”

That decision to keep moving forward has become a philosophy that has kept his influence alive.

He is well aware of what his Parkinson’s diagnosis did to his career.

“I was at the top of my career. And it all came crashing down on me.”

Despite this, he continues to work in other capacities. He has written an inspirational book of poetry titled “Heat,” and he recently appeared on the cover of Centerstage Magazine.

As Catanzaro’s career has evolved, so have his priorities. He worries less about awards and titles and focuses more on staying positive for himself and others.

“It’s me against me,” he said.

He hopes to motivate and inspire people in his new community the way he has in the fitness community for decades.

He was a motivational speaker before his diagnosis and believes that he has even more to offer now.

His goal for the future is simple yet profound. “My goal is to help people. Anybody can do anything,” he said.