A Transformation Story!
Tell me a little about yourself and why you decided to make a change to your health?
I've somehow always had careers that had to do with physique, wether it was modelling, teaching yoga, or hard physical labor like welding and construction. But when I ended up in Los Angeles with a partner I barely knew and a baby on the way I really put my body on the backburner. Financial stress, anxiety and postpartum, and with Covid added on top of that I really let myself go to the point where it started to affect my work. I ended up being badly injured earlier this year, after which I decided it was time to start taking care of my body again in order to minimize accidents and risks at work.
How long did it take you to achieve your results?
12 Weeks
What made you want to start?
I started off with lower back pains which were immediately addressed through building a lot of back strength. This helped me achieve better posture at the workshop and I'm less prone to mistakes. That alreay was a huge win. And as my body kept progressing the idea of going back to modelling work started to become more of a reality. I just signed with Vision Los Angeles, Touche Models in Amsterdam and Kult Models in Hamburg. So we're going in the right direction. It's been a life altering journey, getting me back on track.
What are your favorite health and fitness blogs, books or magazines that you read?
I don't really have the time to do that. So I just fire all the questions I have at Adam, haha. But if you have any recommendations, I'd love to hear them.
What is your favorite healthy food to eat? What is the recipe?
Tumeric potatoes, moong dahl with rice, baked broccoli, sprouts and cauliflower and two parts of tuna. Yum!
What is your least favorite health food to eat?
Asparagus. I just can't seem to get those green things right.
What is your favorite cheat meal?
Greasy barbecue food, chocolate and red wine!
Do you take any supplements?
Yes, I take Magnesium, Zinc, Omega 3 Fish oil, Pre-workout, Protein powder
When it comes to eating healthy, what are your top 3 recommendations?
Mmm. Use a lot of spices to flare up your meals, so even the dull stuff becomes a feast. That makes it much more fun and there is so much to learn! Second, if things become too hard just think of food as fuel. For me that really helped. Third, if your budget allows it purchase at local indian stores or farmers markets for a bit better produce.
How did you overcome peer pressures from friends when eating out?
Thanks to Corona I haven't really had a lot of social engagements. I have some good people in my corner, thankfully. With one friend that felt he had to ridicule me in public I had a brief talk to straightend it out, but other than that incident nothing but support. I imagine it can be very toxic if you keep people around that aren't encouraging.
What is your favorite exercise to do and why?
Anything that involves pull ups. It has been the biggest benchmark for me, as when I started I wasn't even able to do a single chin up.
Have you had to deal with any injuries throughout the process?
At the start I wasn't really familiar with the proper movements and I sprained a muscle or two. Nothign serious, stuff that happens during working out. However later on I started to develop a slight pain in my lower back. We identified it as a failing right glute (feel free to specify) which we are now currently adressing. No way I could have figured that out myself.
What is the best piece of advice for those just starting to exercise?
Commit and find someone that will hold you accountable. Make sure the simplest things are taken care off, and all you have to do is get to the gym.
What is your goal this year?
To get in the best shape of my life and to be able to train and eat consistently without needing anyone to hold me accountable for that. I would love to maintain this transformation that I have gone through.
What keeps you motivated?
My daughter. And my wife hooting every time I take off my clothes in the bedroom haha.
How frequently did you train to accomplish your transformation?
Three times a week and daily homework exercises.
How has your life changed since you lost weight?
Tremendously, in a good way. I'm comfortable taking my shirt off in public, and I am no longer ashamed of my body. My posture and position towards life is clearer and more upright, my sense of selfworth is good - super cliche and I always thought these mens health articles were full of it. But it's true! And it looks like at 38 I might be going back to a career as a model, something I thought I would never do after having done that for 16 years. But hey, never say never. Let's see where this takes me. Thanks Adam!
