Athens man advancing in national Mr. Health & Fitness competition

ATHENS―Joshua Pulice is hoping to win the title of Mr. Health & Fitness, a feat that would put the Greene County man on the cover of Muscle & Fitness magazine and earn him a $20,000 cash prize.

A resident of the Sleepy Hollow Lake area, Pulice is competing in the national fitness and wellness challenge hosted through MrHealthAndFit.com where he is currently ranked #1 in his category.

“My journey is not just about fitness,” Pulice said. “It’s rooted in resilience.”

Pulice grew up in Athens and said his childhood was shaped by tragedy early on, losing his father to suicide.

“It made me feel like I needed to grow up just a little bit faster than everyone else I knew,” Pulice said. “And I was robbed of my childhood.”

The loss took a major toll on Pulice and by the time he was 13 years old, he had started drinking, partying, and using drugs as a way to escape reality.

By the time he was graduating high school, a sickly 117-pound boy was staring back at him in the mirror. And it scared him.

Pulice started talking with his high school biology teacher, who also happened to be the football coach. He introduced Pulice to the weight room and taught him how to train with discipline.

“Fitness became the turning point that helped me reclaim strength, purpose, and stability,” Pulice said.

Pulice now helps others through his business, Sacred Athletics, working with clients to develop sustainable fitness and dietary habits.

Pulice said the biggest message he tries to share is that not everyone needs to become a bodybuilder and anyone can take steps toward becoming a better version of themselves.

“I implore anyone that is struggling to find the fuel to get out of that victim mentality and not to let it take over,” Pulice said.

“I get it, sometimes it feels like small towns have no opportunities,” he added. “But as long as you are looking you will find a way to locate the best version of yourself.”

He explained that the mindset he found through training can apply to anyone, whether that means improving mental health, finding stability, changing habits, or simply building confidence and structure.

“What started as personal healing has become a mission to support others facing their own struggles,” he said.

Last October, Pulice competed in the National Physique Committee Big Cat competition, a regional bodybuilding contest required for athletes looking to qualify for national level competition. Pulice placed first, which he described as a major steppingstone in his journey.

His next major goal is earning an International Federation of Bodybuilding pro card, which he plans to pursue at a competition in September in Pittsburgh, PA.

Now, Pulice is competing in the Mr. Health & Fitness 2026 contest, connected with Muscle & Fitness magazine. The top prize includes $20,000, a three-page feature in Muscle & Fitness, and a guest appearance on “The Menace Podcast,” hosted by Dennis James and focused on training, nutrition, and industry insights.

The Mr. Health & Fitness contest is determined through an online voting and advancement process, and Pulice said he is currently continuing through the rounds while also balancing his work, coaching, and family life.

Voting for the Top 10 ends Thursday, February 19 at 7 p.m. Pacific Standard Time at https://mrhealthandfit.com/2026/joshua-pulice.

Pulice said his long-term vision goes beyond personal achievement and includes giving back locally.

“My goal is to eventually create a community gym in Greene County,” Pulice said. “A supportive space where people can access not just equipment, but mentorship, accountability, and a community that believes in holistic wellbeing.”

Pulice said completing these competitions is part of a larger quest he began years ago — not just to reach a stage, but to make sure he never ends up back where he started.