A local father’s personal transformation is now fueling a broader mission of health, resilience, and community support as he competes in the 2026 Mr. Health and Fitness competition.
The national contest awards its ultimate winner $20,000 and a feature in Muscle & Fitness magazine, while also raising funds for the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, which supports pediatric cancer research, raises awareness, and provides financial assistance to families navigating treatment.
For Burnet resident Tomas Ball, the competition represents far more than a chance at a title.
Just a few years ago, he described himself as a busy single father raising his then high school- aged daughter and struggling to prioritize his own health.
After relocating back to the great state Texas so his daughter could complete her education, daily responsibilities left little time for fitness, and he found himself firmly in what many casually call “dad-bod” territory.
Rather than chasing extreme goals or quick fixes, Ball chose a different path—consistency.
He shifted his mindset from believing he never had time to exercise to deliberately structuring his schedule around health. Early mornings were difficult at first, and progress came slowly. His initial objective was simple: create a routine and stick to it. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, gradually producing meaningful change. Instead of restrictive dieting, he focused first on improving nutrition and building sustainable habits.
A turning point came when Ball began training with Neufit, incorporating the Neubie direct-current device into his workouts.
The technology delivers targeted electrical stimulation to muscles during movement, accelerating strength and conditioning gains when paired with disciplined training.
“The Neubie was a game changer! In just over a year, I lost 4 inches off my waist, went from 22% body fat down to 10.5%, and actually gained 4 lbs overall,” Ball said.
Despite measurable results, he emphasizes that motivation alone is unreliable.
On challenging days, he returns to the principle that started his journey: consistency as a goal in itself.
That discipline, he says, has extended well beyond the gym into other areas of life, reinforcing resilience and making even the most daunting challenge seem a bit more manageable.
Ball learned about the Mr. Health and Fitness competition through a friend and quickly connected with its charitable mission.
Supporting families facing pediatric cancer felt deeply meaningful, and the competitive structure offered additional motivation to push his limits physically while encouraging community involvement for a worthy cause.
While he remains open-ended about where the experience may ultimately lead, he is certain the journey has already strengthened his commitment to personal growth and service.
Community members who wish to support Ball can visit his official competition profile at https://mrhealthandfit. com/2026/tomasball to learn more about the cause, view photos, and participate in voting. Supporters may cast one free vote every 24 hours using a valid Facebook account.
Additional votes can be obtained through donations, with all proceeds directed to the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. Full competition rules and voting details are available on the event’s official website.
For Ball, the campaign is ultimately about gratitude and representation.
He hopes to reflect the strength of the local community while demonstrating that meaningful change is possible at any stage of life—no matter how busy the schedule or how distant fitness goals may seem.
He offers a simple message to readers: thank you for any encouragement or support you can provide.
With the community behind him, Ball hopes not only to advance in the competition but also to help expand awareness and resources for families facing one of life’s toughest battles.
