Excuses are the enemy of anyone looking to get in shape. “I’ll try making it to the gym tomorrow.” “I’ll start my diet after pizza Friday.” Luke Ericson’s strategy for dealing with excuses is simple: don’t make any. Ericson, one of the world’s only one-armed bodybuilders, has overcome a number of obstacles to get to where he is and has refused to turn any obstacle into an excuse.

“I was born missing my left arm, and my left lung is about half the size it’s supposed to be,” Ericson told Barstarzz. “Over the years I’ve developed pretty bad scoliosis because of the weight imbalance from having an arm on one side and the muscle imbalance from having an arm on one side. About eight years ago I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. So all kinds of stuff.”

Ericson’s message is one that he applies to his everyday life: Don’t let fear govern what you’re trying to accomplish in life. He recognizes that there are a lot of people out there dealing with hurdles and setbacks. He hopes that the example he sets will inspire other people to look past any difficulties they face and see their goals.

“It’s your body, it’s your life. You only get one of each,” Ericson added. “You want to enjoy your time here on this earth. Being healthy and feeling healthy, there’s nothing better than that.”