017: From War Stricken Refugee to Champion with Sam Bakhtiar

Sam Bakhtiar was born in Iran under a strict regime and no freedom of speech, Sam was a very poor child. And not just financially. From ages 3-11 he went to sleep to the sounds of sirens and bombs. There was a constant firework of missiles and air attacks throughout his childhood His parents divorced when he was just three and he never saw or heard from his dad again. Raised by his grandparents and single mom, Sam thought this war stricken poverty way of life was normal. In 1985, Sams world began to change. He and his mom left as refugees with $500 and one piece of luggage to their names and made their way out of IRAN. Coming to the US was not what he expected. His expectation of US was from the shows Dallas and Dynasty and even the A-team. But the drug dealers, prostitute filled streets and abandoned buildings was what he came to know as home in America. Barely speaking english, being a minority, poor in and in a foreign country Sam longed to fit in. His love of sports gave him his first excitement to try out for a basketball team! When the 5'5" SAME was rejected, his two hour hike home in the snow he vowed that HE would be a success one day. And a success SAM now is. Same LEVELED UP transforming his own physique from a scrawny, awkward kid to a Champion bodybuilder who holds the record of having a first place title in every weight class. He became Dr. Saman Bakhtiar is the Co Founder of The Camp Transformation Center. He has helped transform THOUSANDS of people not only physically but what he feels is even more important "mentally". In this episode, you will learn: How to strengthen yourself physically and mentally The art of learning from hardships What it takes to be a world champion What role Sam's mom played in his mindset