This Chernobyl baby defies the odds and becomes a fitness influencer despite being born with just one limb.
Tim Mason was born in Moscow, Russia where he believed that his pregnant mother was exposed to radiation poisoning, leading to him being born with just one limb.
Tim claimed that doctors believed his mother had eaten grains contaminated with radiation after the infamous Chernobyl explosion.
This left baby Tim with just one arm and no legs and he was given up for adoption.
Tim, residing in Chicago, Illinois, USA, said: “My biological mother gave me up for adoption because she didn’t want to raise a monster.
“I am grateful she made that choice as it’s brought me to where I am today.”
Later in life, Tim’s adoptive mom passed away from dementia and she had taught him from a young age that he was capable of independence.
The loss massively impacted his motivation and his life has been far from easy, but Tim didn’t let anything stop him.
At 188 pounds (13.4 stone) he found he could no longer move freely, and he was left struggling to get up and down from his wheelchair, so he decided to make a change and began his fitness journey.
When Tim initially started posting videos, he never intended to go viral, but his positive outlook on life and motivation to feel better in his body won over his hundreds of thousands of followers.
Tim’s channel had over 456,000 followers on TikTok and he was grateful he was given up for adoption as it led him to the life he currently has.
From treadmill dances to weightlifting videos, Tim’s range of content helps educate people about disabilities and fitness.
He added: “My biological mother gave me up for adoption because she didn’t want to raise a monster.
“I am grateful she made that choice as it’s brought me to where I am today.
“Life’s hard whether you have one limb or four.
“We all have struggles and finding motivation can be difficult.”
Tim explained: “My biggest struggle was when my mum was diagnosed with vascular dementia and for three years, I had to watch her slowly slip away.
“I struggled with food and lack of motivation.
“She always told me that I had a great independent life ahead of me and that I could get there if I believed in myself.”
The fitness influencer claimed that as someone with physical disabilities, his abilities were often overlooked, and people tended to not see the capable and independent part of himself.
He said: “When I was 188 pounds, I could barely move. I struggled to get myself into my wheelchair, to move around and do things I could easily do prior.
“Losing weight is great but for me having that confidence back is such a big accomplishment because it reminds me that I’ve got it.
“I never intended for my content to go viral and to be a content creator.”
Tim added: “I realised that I had an option to share my life as a disabled person and what I’m capable of.
“It exposes me to negativity, trolls online calling me a Jean Paul Gaultier Bottle and some really evil stuff.
“I realise how important it is to share with the world that disabilities do not define you.
“I honestly think a lot of hate and negativity out there is often just a lack of education and understanding.”