My Journey

This story starts in August of 2009, but I'm going to post a pic from 2007 to show where I really started from... I'm posting this to motivate others and show my history. I know right now a lot of you know nothing about me, but I've been through a LOT in life. For most of my life, I haven't been emotionally stable or balanced. STRESS will hold you back from achieving your fitness goals. Fitness is about a lot more than just 'looking good' or being a 'goal weight'. Now I focus on the thins I can control in MY LIFE. Which being in the Military, isn't a lot. I control what I eat. I control how much I workout. This is my life and these are my decisions...

June 2007 - Age 21
I'm in my first year of marriage, trying to make things work and be happy. I work out when I can, but my ex doesn't support it. She is pregnant and doesn't want me to be 'hot'. This picture is of me getting ready to paint my daughters bedroom. In Reflection I'd call myself skinny fat (although I do have some muscle). Approx 195lbs.




November 2009 Age 24

Unintentionally dropped 20 lbs due to stress from my divorce. So stressed I didn't eat at all. I went from 200 lbs to 180 in a month. This is about 185 lbs.




May 2010 Age 24

Started doing 5x5 lifts 3x a week. I'm on a dream bulk. Instead of not eating, I'm eating McDonald's and China Buffet almost daily. My highest weight was 230lbs



August 2010 Age 25

Preparing for Miami, I start cutting. I'm doing ARMY PT and running 20-30 miles a week. Although my body is responding well, I still have stress in my life - mainly moving away from my daughter for the first time and preparing for my first deployment. I get my weight down to 200lbs at it's lowest. This pic is probably 207lbs.



In November of 2010 I deploy to Kuwait. On average through out the deployment, I worked out 2-3 times a week and played basketball 3-4 times a week. I began to started to want to get more muscle and get strong. In March of 2011, I start to have groin pain on the right side. I can't workout from May-June. I had inguinal repair surgery in June of 2011 and didn't start lifting weights again until August/September.

In 2011 I return to the United States, I start lifting and running 3x a week, but on March 1st 2012 I have my appendix removed. This set me back a couple months. In July of 2012, I get serious about lifting and start to pay more attention to my diet. I lift at liftt 3x a week from July - December. IN this time, I develop Plantar Fasciitis in my feet. After months of treatment and me trying to run through it, I get 3 steroid treatments in each foot and the pain gradual goes away. In August of 2012, I begin to experience lower back pain, that at times is crippling. I still have this pain today, although I don't have near as many bad days anymore. I come down on orders to Kentucky, and workout 3x a week before doing a month long training exercise in Feb... In March I decide I'm going to 'get abs'. Notice the date I joined My Fitness Pal...

March 2013 Age 27
I'm about 220 lbs in this picture. Time to get ripped.




June 2013 Age 27
I start tracking macros and calories - I don't do great, but... I worked out for over 60 days straight. Every single day. I became the Foursquare Mayor of all 4 on post gyms... I also found out in April that I had a broken right foot. It didn't stop me from going to the gym. This pic is after a week of drinking and partying in Las Vegas- my body still looks great. I feel amazing.


November 2013 Age 28
Bulking in Afghanistan. I got up to 228 lbs... On purpose this time. I'm working out 6 times a week on a powerlifting and bodybuilding hybrid program. I get my big 3 up to 1,155lbs - an improvement of over 200 lbs in less than a year. Bench - 315, Squat - 350, Deadlift - 490. The pics on the right are from July of 2013 btw... One on the left is Nov. 2013.



2014 - 28 and Bald.
I'm cutting. I'm happy. I keep stress to a minimum in my life. When I have a problem, I deal with it. I take responsibility for my bad actions, food or otherwise. I think a lot of times we get in a habit of avoiding admitting our mistakes, as if it will help anything...



What's my goal from here? Become the best version of myself. I want to compete in a Light Heavyweight Bodybuilding Competition... I want to inspire others to achieve greatness. I'm going to post more to Youtube... I'm going to remember to take it one day at a time. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. I'm going to play for the future, but live in the day. I'm always welcome to discuss fitness, life, philosophy, etc. Feel free to send me a friend request or message. Alone I am weak, I'm strongest when I'm being held up and supported by others.