Mr. IndianaExplore local food, entertainment, lifestyle tips and the people and places that make Indiana special. INDIANAPOLIS — After years of chasing his bodybuilding goals, Josh Smith faced a major setback just nine weeks before the 2025 Mr. Indiana competition when he tore his biceps tendo n. Smith sustained the injury while moving an oven for a cooking business he was preparing to open. He underwent surgery with Dr. Eric Tannenbaum, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with Southern Indiana Orthopedics in Columbus, and spent months rebuilding his strength through rehabilitation. The injury forced Smith to put competition on hold and focus on recovery. After following his rehabilitation plan and gradually returning to training, Smith made his comeback in August 2026, winning the Mr. Indiana title and the overall championship at the NPC Premier Muscle Indiana State Championships. Tannenbaum said Smith’s injury was confirmed through an MRI, which revealed a distal biceps tendon tear. The injury required surgery to reattach the tendon before it could retract and scar, potentially making repair more difficult. Recovery required patience and discipline, particularly as Smith worked toward returning to competitive bodybuilding. Smith said the biggest challenge was often mental, as he had to resist the urge to push himself too hard before his body was ready. He credited his physical therapists and commitment to following the recovery timeline for helping him return to the stage. For Tannenbaum, a former University of Michigan wrestler and four-time All-American, helping athletes return to the activities they love is especially rewarding. He said Smith’s determination and dedication to rehabilitation played an important role in his successful recovery and eventual championship win. Smith hopes his experience encourages other athletes facing injuries not to give up on their goals. His advice is to take time to process the setback, develop a recovery plan and trust the process. As Smith put it, comebacks can be even better than the start. For more information, visit erictannenbaummd.com. ...read more read less