I was in average shape as a kid. In my early teens I began smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, a habit I didn't kick until I was 30. I had a terrible smokers cough and I wheezed constantly. I was well on my way to carrying around an oxygen tank and a little plastic breathing mask. It was then that I made the first of the two most important decisions in my life to date- I decided to quit smoking. I quit cold turkey- no patch, no gum, I just white knuckled it (and I was not fun to be around for about two full weeks- maybe longer.) It wasn't the first time I'd tried to quit- no, I'd tried many times before. But I was determined to quit because I could literally feel it killing me, one puff at a time.
The good news is I never touched another cigarette. The bad news is that I began a struggle with my weight. Over the following two years I put on 36 extra pounds to my already slightly overweight body. At 5'8" and 216 pounds, I felt nearly as bad as I had when I was a smoker- it was just a different sort of feeling bad. I'd always had something of a pot belly but I'd always been able to hide it with a t-shirt. But not anymore. Now it was obvious to everyone. I was ashamed of how I looked. I literally couldn't even tie my shoes without breaking a serious sweat. I hated the way my own family and friends looked at me- I could see the pity in their eyes even if they never said anything about it. It was humiliating to me. That's when I made the second most important decision of my life so far- I decided I would get back in shape.
I decided I would do whatever it took to get in shape. I made up my mind that if I had to work out 12 hours a day, 7 days a week to lose that fat that that's what I would do. Now, the reality is it didn't take anywhere near that much work to drop that extra weight but I have no doubt whatsoever that my attitude and determination was at least 90% of my battle. In my mind I knew I was going to succeed even if it killed me. As far as I was concerned, my success was written in stone that day- there was just no other possible outcome.
I know it sounds hokey when you hear people say things like that and I never used to think there was any truth to it but I know better now. I know now there is no force on Earth more powerful than man's determination. If you look at all the most successful people on the planet you can easily find that nearly all of them had no idea how they were going to accomplish their goals when they began, they just knew that they were going to succeed.
Getting back on topic though, I joined a gym, hired a personal trainer, studied everything I could find on diet, nutrition, and exercise, and I pushed myself as hard as I could. I woke up thinking about how I could push myself harder, and I went to bed thinking about how I could push myself harder. I was consumed by my desire for success. And guess what happened? Well, if I had failed it wouldn't be a very good story would it?
After 3 months I'd dropped 39 pounds. After 6 months I'd lost 51 pounds. At 33 years old I was in the best shape of my life and it just keeps getting better. My health problems are gone, my self esteem is better than it has ever been. I have more confidence than I ever thought possible. My family and friends are proud of me. I feel like I have a totally new life, and it's the life I always wanted. I've learned that the only limit to my success is the one I create in my head.
Possibly the greatest surprise through all this is finally discovering my life's passion to help other's change their lives the way I was able to change mine. After wandering direction-less through life for 30 years I never dreamed I'd find something so meaningful and fulfilling to do with my life. There is nothing more exciting and fulfilling than watching a client transform not only physically, but to see the way their entire life can change for the better because of the work we do together. I sincerely hope that everyone experiences that kind of joy and fulfillment at least once in life because it truly is amazing.
Oh, by the way, here is a short little slide show showing my transformation. The pictures were all taken 3 months apart.
My goal is to help as many people as I can change their bodies and their lives. If you're ready to make some changes in your life then please call me- don't put it off. If you're not happy with the body you have then take action now. The sooner you start the sooner you'll be able to enjoy your new body!
Your friend in fitness,
Bryan Farley
(317) 431-4369
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