Lower Merion HS Grad Vying For Philly Mag's 2016 Health Hero Title

A Lower Merion High School alumnus is in the running to be named Philadelphia Magazine's Health Hero and you can vote for him until Oct. 3

Andrew Meinster graduated from Lower Merion High School in 2007 went on to found Trap Star Fitness and become a personal trainer. Meinster's dedication to making Philadelphia and the greater area has landed him in the semi finals of the magazine's Be Well Philly's Health Hero Challenge.

While Meinster is an area leader in fitness, his path to success has been difficult. Meinster struggled with addiction for several years, saying his life "revolved around drugs and alcohol" until one day he decided to make a drastic change and make health and fitness his focus.

"I discovered that a strong focus on self-improvement and physical fitness would help me overcome my darkest days," Meinster says on Trap Star Fitness' website. "When withdrawal symptoms were too much to bare I found comfort in knowing that I was slowly taking my life back."

You can vote for Meinster at Philly Magazine's website now through Oct. 3. He is up against three other contenders in the semi final round and if he receives enough votes he will move on to the finals with three other contenders in October.

If Mienster wins, a $10,000 donation will be made to the charity of his choice. Three runner ups will also have $2,500 donations made to his or her charity of choice, according to the magazine's website.

Meinster has previously raised funds for Recovery Advocates of America, a 501(c)3 not for profit addiction education organization, through his GetFit4Recovery Plank Challenge.

Check out Meinster's story in the video below.