'Rare condition saw kids call me slug feet - I've turned it around'

John Nixon, 45, was smaller and weaker than his peers, and even his friends mimicked the way he walked
A father who was at risk of life in a wheelchair or facing a double amputation has astonishingly transformed his fate through the world of bodybuilding. John Nixon, 45, endearingly known as 'Slug Feet' and 'Chicken Legs' during his school days, stood out for being smaller and weaker than his classmates, with even his mates copying his distinctive walk.
John's struggle with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), a rare genetic neurological disorder that impairs peripheral nerves, wasn't identified until he reached 12 years old. The condition manifests through muscle wasting, peculiar foot shapes, frailty, and discomfort and often progresses over time.
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"I was always tripping up, falling over and twisting my ankles as a kid. Sports day was a nightmare," he recollected, mentioning how his feet and legs bore the brunt of his afflictions.
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"I had muscle wastage in my lower legs, feet deformity, including a high arch, hammer toes and bunions. I suffered with rolling ankles, dislocations, strength and balance issues."
He explained the physical challenges he faces: "My feet push outward, my tendons are tight, and my toes claw back. I wear custom orthotic boots – without them I can't walk. Trainers just don't work for me anymore."
Against medical advice that cautioned him never to lift weights and to exercise with caution, John, hailing from Rotherham, decided to defy the odds after the birth of his twin daughters, intent on making a change.
"It was frustrating, and embarrassing. I was 28, weak, falling over all the time, relying on my twin daughters' pram just to stay upright," he said.
His initial venture into the gym was petrifying as he was clueless about exercising and feared being judged. Nevertheless, his determination kept him going.
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"I thought 'I've got to do something'. I couldn't keep falling," he said. "My girls needed a dad who could keep up with them.
"The gym was intimidating. My footwear was a nightmare. But I kept going, watching others, researching, and eventually got a PT qualification so I could help others too. "I was 6st 8lb (42kg) back then. I'm now 14st 2lb (90kg) in off-season. I've more than doubled my bodyweight – in muscle."
Now, John enjoys better health and fitness than he experienced in his 20s, though it's not without ongoing challenges like pain, cramps, shocks and numbness, sometimes leading to crawling at home or ascending stairs on his backside.
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Currently, he opts out of nerve blockers for pain management: "I'd rather be in pain and functioning. I manage it through training and good food. If I ever need meds later, I want them to still work."
Aside from his role as an area manager at ScrewFix, John also runs a personal coaching service, specialising in clients with disabilities, including those with CMT. "Everyone's symptoms are different. Some have thin legs, some don't. Some struggle more with their hands. Everything I do is tailored," he explained.
John dedicates five days a week to the gym, spending up to two hours each session working on his fitness. "I like the structure. I do the same things, eat the same food, train at the same time. I thrive on routine," he revealed.
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His nutrition plan is rigorous, comprising of six meals daily and a calorie intake hitting 5,000 during the off-season. Kicking off at 5am, his breakfast consists of 150g oats, blueberries, prawns, and whey protein; throughout the day, he indulges in portions of chicken, lamb, rice, potatoes, and vegetables.
Just before workouts, it's creamed rice, whey, and an oat bar for John, followed by a bowl of Coco Pops post-training; his day concludes with six egg whites, sourdough bread, turkey rashers, and mushrooms. "You try eating like that once - it's hard. Doing it every day is brutal. It's a full-time job just eating," he said.
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His commitment doesn't wane even while on holiday, as during a recent trip to Ibiza he maintained his diet meticulously: "I travelled with boiled eggs and got my food from the supermarket. You've got to adapt, it's part of the lifestyle."
Currently, he takes pride in the trajectory of his journey, participating in bodybuilding competitions globally.
"Eighteen years ago, I would never have posted videos of myself training," he confessed. "I was embarrassed about how I walked, how I stood. Now, I show it all on TikTok and Instagram. That confidence is priceless."
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Moreover, he's passionate about motivating others with the same condition to pursue a path towards health and wellbeing: "People with CMT often give up. They put weight on, stop moving, and it spirals. But there's another way. You can take control. You can feel strong. I'm living proof of that."
Despite being fit, he faces the grim prospect of amputation: "My surgeon says surgery now might not help - the risk of making things worse is high at my age. If things get worse, amputation and blades might be the answer. I'd do it if I had to. It's £15,000 a pair for good ones, but I'll do what I need to."
However, he acknowledges his situation could have been dire. "I'd definitely be in a wheelchair now if I hadn't started training. No doubt. The disease was progressing. I wouldn't be walking anymore," he said.

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