From bureaucrat to bodybuilder, Miami-Dade’s former mayor has been hitting the gym.
Carlos Alvarez is competing, and winning, bodybuilding contests.
"I was challenged into it, they told me a person my age, I’m 60, couldn’t do such a thing," the former mayor told NBC 6 South Florida.
Miami-Dade residents voted Alvarez out of office in an unprecedented recall election back in 2011. Since then the one-time mayor has been focused on building his body, spending hours in a Coral Gables gym.
Late-blooming bodybuilders are not a rarity.
"It’s very common, especially when people become more health conscious and become aware of their health issues, they turn to us,” said PJ Cicale, owner of Aventura’s Olympia Gym.
Alvarez: I've Made Mistakes
Alvarez said he’s been athletic since he was a kid, but the challenge is what motivated him to get into bodybuilding.
"If you challenge me to something I’m going to prove you wrong,” said Alvarez.
Alvarez recently won a bodybuilding competition in the 60’s and over category. He says he’ll compete in one more, then retire.