How 59-Year-Old Local Bodybuilder
Kirk Fontenot Continues To Excel
Against Guys Half His Age
By Madelaine B. Landry
The primary focus hasn’t really changed. It’s a sport that showcases a muscular, lean physique to an audience.
For SWLA bodybuilder Kirk Fontenot, the old movie images of Hercules, Ben Hur and Samson served as early inspiration.
“I started with weight training when I was about 12,” he says. “Growing up on a farm in the country, my mom was very creative, and she made my first dumbbells with discs, painting them gold. My dad bought me a Kmart set of weights a few years later.
“Somehow, I found a few bodybuilding magazines and a workout partner, Byron Ardoin. I had this little blue record player, which always had Elvis records playing. I quickly found an interest in proper nutrition, and my mom took notice of this and bought me my first nutritional almanac. I began to study nutrition. All through school at Bell City High, I recall thinking ‘I can do this. I wanna sing like Elvis, be a bodybuilder and help people with their nutrition and fitness goals.’”
Fontenot uses a combination of training techniques that incorporate free weight equipment and exercise machines; cardio training to accelerate fat loss; and a sensible nutritional plan, but his winning element is his strong faith.
“I took Psalm 103 as my promise. ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits … who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.’ ”

On July 20, Fontenot was named the overall winner in the Open Division at the
NPC Natural Muscle held at the Manship Theatre in Baton Rouge.
Fontenot has continued to take the sport to a whole new level, always incorporating his faith into the mix. He recalls he was always either working on the farm or working out, with little time or inclination for any other recreation. “We had this 75-foot extension cord that I used when it got dark. I had little idea about what I was doing, but I knew God did.
“When I competed as a teen in 1983 and came out second, I knew I was following His will for my life.”
Motivation, lifestyle and mindset changes, and nutrition are a big part of his repertoire. Like most bodybuilders, Fontenot focuses on creating a ‘perfect’ physique — one that is not only symmetrical and muscular, but also natural. He says he never stops learning or seeking new information.
Does this determination pay off? Apparently so. On July 20, the 59-year old Fontenot was named the overall winner in the Open Division at the NPC Natural Muscle held at the Manship Theatre in Baton Rouge. This win qualified him for nationals, and he won his class in the Open Classic Physique as well, competing against guys half his age.
“The crowd just erupted,” recalls his wife, Angie. “It was so exciting to witness, not only because he is my husband, but mainly because I knew he would make a positive impact in these young competitors’ lives. Kirk’s condition was extraordinary or ‘super natural,’ as Kirk likes to call it. He had competed with 20- and 30-year-olds but was still declared the winner.”
“Please understand. It was never about the title,” says Fontenot. “It’s all about the platform. The more you can reach people, the more you can offer them the truth about nutrition and exercise. I am just the vessel; I cannot take the credit.”
Fontenot uses a combination of training techniques that incorporate free weight equipment and exercise machines; cardio training to accelerate fat loss; and a sensible nutritional plan, but his winning element is his strong faith.
“I took Psalm 103 as my promise. ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits … who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
COVID and the dual hurricanes of 2020 disrupted the lives of most residents in SWLA, but the Fontenot family was just coming out of a different life challenge. Their youngest son, Derrick, was diagnosed with leukemia in December, 2017, in the middle of his senior year of high school. In the five-year span following his son’s diagnosis, the stress caused Fontenot’s weight to balloon to 230 pounds. A photo taken in Christmas 2022 brought this reality home to him, and he knew it was time to seek change.
Fontenot competing in the NPC Southern States competition in Baton Rouge in 1983 when he was 18 years old. It was his first competition, and he placed second overall.
“I was a chunky little Cajun boy growing up,” he laughs. “When I stopped putting gravy on my rice, my uncles thought I had really lost my mind. But my parents knew I was committed to my training regimen then, and it worked in the 80s. Now, it was once again time to get on my knees and seek God’s guidance as an adult.
“When Angie showed me that photo, I went to praying immediately,” he says. Fontenot says he received a revelation about four additional substances he should add to his nutritional regimen: MCT oil, true alkaline water, Celtic sea salts, and Branch Chain Amino Acids.
“I eliminated about 75 percent of my food intake, incorporating these substances to fill the gaps for my caloric needs. My weight began to drop rapidly and, truth be told, bodybuilding can be so much about the flesh, so I asked that God take away my desire to continue if I was not doing the right thing. I started my nutritional journey on March 6 with this new plan and by my birthday on May 8, I was back down to 180 pounds. And it was effortless.
“Here’s what has changed significantly,” states Fontenot. “Synthetic use is now rampant, so only a few still believe that you can truly achieve your fitness and physique goals following the natural path. All the preservatives, synthetic additives and GMOs in our modern food chain are toxic to our health. Our food is riddled with carcinogens. Our liver and kidneys are working overtime to rid the toxins from our systems, leaving no energy or resources for us to absorb the good foods our bodies need.
“People are being deceived into believing that our food is healthy; it is not the truth. So, I counsel them, offering nutritional consulting and fitness advice. I tell them to think about future generations, to start now to lead by example. Food was never as corrupted in the past, even in the 80s, like it is today. Sugar has always been addictive, but now, without solid nutritional knowledge, people seem to struggle with obtaining optimal health.”
Angie says she is not the fitness guru her husband is, but she enjoys working out daily. She’s followed his guidance and meal preps. Their three sons, Nick, Brandon and Derrick, are all young adults now. “All three enjoy working out when they have the time,” she says. “Derrick wants to start competing like his father. Our job is to support them and encourage them so they can be examples for their families.
“Synthetic use is now rampant, so only a few still believe that you can truly achieve your fitness and physique goals following the natural path. All the preservatives, synthetic additives and GMOs in our modern food chain are toxic to our health. Our food is riddled with carcinogens. People are being deceived into believing that our food is healthy. So, I counsel them, offering nutritional consulting and fitness advice.”
“We recently revamped all of Kirk’s social media accounts, and they have really taken off. That’s exciting; it gives him the opportunity to speak truth, inspire, and motivate others to be the best they can be. When I first met Kirk, I was impressed by his genuine desire to help others. He was respectful and more mature than other guys I’d dated. On our first date in 1993, I observed his character and fell for him. After almost thirty years of marriage, that has not changed.”
So, what’s next for Kirk? “Well, there are a couple things we’re praying about,” he answers humbly. “Things that we’re keeping to ourselves for now. I hope people don’t ever give up on their dreams. Just take the first step. It’s never too late.”
Fontenot recently announced he’ll be competing in Beaumont on Sept. 28, at the NPC Texas Natural Show. Keep up with his competition and get his nutrition and fitness tips on his social media platforms or you can email him directly at nutritionbykirk@gmail.com
Comments are closed.