LJWorld.com

People say T.G. Hamm has a lot of heart.

It's kind of ironic, considering the 17-year-old Lawrence High School junior has overcome significant heart problems in his life.

T.G. it stands for "Tiny Gary," a childhood nickname that stuck underwent three open-heart surgeries as a child to correct congenital heart defects.

During the second surgery, when T.G. was 3 years old, a blood clot lodged in his brain and he suffered a stroke that wiped out muscle control on his left side.

"He had no motor skills," said Liz Hamm, T.G.'s mother. "He couldn't talk. We had to feed him through a straw and put diapers back on him."

Slowly he recovered, though the neurological impairment on his left side could not be entirely erased.

Growing up, T.G. had to be careful. Contact sports were out, because a blow to the heart could cause problems. Exercise wore him out, and too much running around caused him to hyperventilate.

That's where the T.G.'s physical condition stood until about a year ago, when he tired of being flabby and inactive.

So he hooked up with Darren Anderson, a personal trainer at Lawrence Athletic Club South, 2108 W. 27th St.

"I was in terrible shape," T.G. recalled. "I just ate everything. I sat there on the couch watching TV. But I wanted to get stronger."

And he has.

Personal trainer Darren Anderson, left, is impressed with T.G.'s persistence. "He's got a lot of willpower, and he's very dedicated." Anderson leads T.G. through workouts at Lawrence Athletic Club South, 2108 W. 27th St.

After months of twice-a-week workout sessions with Anderson, plus more workouts on his own, T.G.'s a rock.

He has gone from 135 pounds and 15 percent body fat the average percentage for men to 142 pounds and 7 percent body fat, which means his weight gain is almost all muscle.

"At one point, he was down to 4.98 percent body fat," Anderson said. "That's about as low as you can get it."

Before, T.G. could bench-press 40 to 50 pounds. Now he can press 140 pounds.

T.G. and Anderson focus on two muscle groups per session and do three exercises per muscle group. His workouts a mix of free weights and exercise machines also emphasize abdominal crunches.

At the same time, Anderson has helped T.G. fine-tune his diet, watching his calorie intake and balancing proteins and carbohydrates so he can burn fat while building muscle.

The regimen seems to be working T.G. is all pecs, abs and bulging biceps.

Anderson said he was impressed with his client.

"He's a champ, man. He's got a lot of willpower, and he's very dedicated," Anderson said. "T.G. never misses a workout or cheats on his nutrition. He's just a very strong-willed individual."

Amid all the exercising, T.G. hasn't just built up his body. He's built a friendship with Anderson, too.

"He gets me motivated, and he makes me laugh," T.G. said. "Sometimes he's real mean and tough. Other times we're just goofing off and having fun."

The exercise program and Anderson's guidance have transformed T.G. in other ways, boosting his self-esteem and changing his outlook.

"I feel confident when I go out with anybody. I feel better about my life," he said.

T.G. has another big fan in Pat Frey, 28, a Kansas University student who's a regular at the athletic club.

Frey, a friend of Anderson's, has watched T.G.'s progress over the last year.

"He was skinnier when I first met him, but you can see how his muscles are completely defined now," he said. "He's a complete inspiration. He's got more heart than anyone I know."