Hi. I'm Randy M. Herring. I consider myself a regular guy in good athletic shape for my age—62. I’m a three-time testicular cancer survivor, author of The Fitness Mindset: 7 Habits for Peak Performance and Reflections on Growth: An Existential Journey, with nearly 50 years of bodybuilding and fitness training, and over 25 years of experience as a wellness coach. I empower individuals to transform their bodies with results-driven training and encourage deepening self-awareness to cultivate a more authentic life.
I have an academic background in exercise science, received my bachelor's in religious studies, and hold a master’s in philosophy. I have taught at local colleges and universities.
I’m on social media to share my story—pushing through health and mental challenges and staying committed to fitness, one day at a time. My goal is simple: To inspire others to keep moving forward in their own fitness journey, no matter what life throws their way.
my Story
In December 1977, at 15 years old, I weighed 115 pounds. I was too intimated to join my local gym, so I trained at home with a barbell and dumbbell set. I lifted weights every day three times a day to get strong and build muscle. But that was a mistake. After 6 months, I only put on 10 pounds. At 125 pounds, I was still thin for two reasons. One, I didn’t eat enough. And two, I exercised too often. Read my detailed story here: Gaining Weight With A ‘Fast’ Metabolism.
In June 1978, I invested in a weight gain diet mail order from Universal Bodybuilding. I worked as a dishwasher for a local restaurant. I ate burgers and fries or French dip sandwiches and cherry pie during my breaks. I followed this weight gain diet for 8 months. I ate six frequent meals every day that were evenly spaced out about 3 hours. My first meal was at 6AM and my last meal was at 9PM. I ate meat and cheese, gorged on desserts, drank lots of milk, ate a lot of bread, and consumed nightly protein drinks.
From Thin to Muscular
In the first 8 months, I gained 55 pounds by bulking up to 180 pounds. My waistline ballooned from 27 to 36 inches. I felt confident about myself because I transformed the skinny kid that I once was into a more confident and stronger kid.
To lose the fat I gained, I saw a training mail order program in Muscle Builder Magazine. The mail order program featured a picture of a bodybuilder’s inspiring powerful-looking physique whom I was unfamiliar. It was Arnold Schwarzenegger. I invested in Arnold's diet and training program to lean out. In 4 months, I lost 25 pounds.
In my first serious year of training and investing in two training and nutrition plans, I gained 30 pounds of lean muscle training at home. In June 1979, at 16 years old, I weighed a solid 155 pounds. I was stronger, more confident and had a better physique. I joined a local athletic club within a few weeks.
From Fat to Fit
More than four decades later, between the ages of 56 and 57—from January 2019 to March 2020—I experienced a second major transformation. I went from 200 pounds to 175 pounds in just 15 months. In the first 16 weeks alone, I lost 17 pounds, eventually shedding a total of 25 pounds over the course of a year.
Midway through this transformation, in July 2019, I faced a second recurrence of testicular cancer, which resulted in the removal of my right—and only remaining—testicle. That event marked the beginning of Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT), monitored by my physician.
Despite my testosterone level being just 172—far below the clinical norm—my transformation was entirely natural. No caffeine, no supplements, no muscle enhancers. And just to be clear: I’ve never used performance-enhancing drugs.
From Fit to Cancer
In November 2021, just a year and a half after my second transformation—and only six months after publishing The Fitness Mindset—I was hit with a third recurrence of testicular cancer. Over the next ten weeks, from November 15, 2021, to January 21, 2022, I underwent an intense chemotherapy regimen (Etoposide 204mg and Cisplatin 40.8mg), totaling 40 bags. Despite the physical toll, I stayed committed to my fitness routine and continued to exercise throughout treatment.
Overcome setbacks and obstacles!
On December 7, 2021, just 23 days into chemotherapy, shortly after losing my hair and completing a grueling 6-hour treatment session, I put my strength to the test—deadlifting 315 pounds for two sets of 10 reps!
From TRT to no TRT
The side effects of chemotherapy significantly altered my body chemistry, physical health, and appearance. Due to my lack of testicles and a history of elevated prostate levels along with blood clots, my doctor discontinued my TRT for four months from mid-January 2022 to mid-May 2022. This decision was based on a common belief among oncologists that intramuscular testosterone injections can “fuel prostate cancer,” potentially enlarging the prostate and increasing PSA levels. However, this claim has been debunked and shown to be false. Read my full fitness article: PEDS: A Detailed Dilemma.
Since I no longer have testicles, my body is unable to produce testosterone naturally. And because my primary care physician advised against TRT, my body was left to function solely on estrogen—the only hormone it could still produce on its own.
In March 2022, about 60 days post-chemotherapy recovery, I hiked to the top of Mt. Sentinel in Missoula, Montana—without TRT! The hike took me over an hour longer to complete, but I did it!
From mid-September 2022 to mid-July 2023 my doctor discontinued my TRT again—this time for 10 months—because of an elevated prostate. In June 2023, I ran my first half marathon in Missoula, and again, without TRT!
