Hey All, Happy to be a part of the DM family! I wanted to share a shift in perspective that completely changed my fitness journey. In the past, I relied on motivation. The problem? Motivation is "hit or miss." It comes and goes. I’d start strong, but as soon as the daily grind weighed heavy or my schedule got busy, my workouts were the first thing to go. I was waiting for the "ideal time" to train—which, let's be honest, never actually comes. Everything changed when I stopped chasing goals and started accepting them as my identity. Once I decided that being fit was who I am, not just something I’m doing, my mindset shifted: • I started loving—and needing—the high of working out. • Exercise became my therapy; it’s the reason I’m in a better mood every day. • I stopped "struggling to find time" and started making time. I’ve let go of the time-wasting activities that no longer serve me to prioritize the person I am becoming. Has anyone else had the same experience?

@Michael Gartenlaub is 2 weeks away from completing his 9-month body recomposition! Basically the same body weight in both pictures but clearly a different physique. Back story: Michael is a “hard gainer” which means his body is more resistant to gaining weight and loses weight more easily. When Michael first joined the 6-month program he wanted to cut body fat, but after shedding some weight he felt unsatisfied with his shape/lean muscle mass. We had to switch directions and focus on mass building before the eventual cut down. Now Michael is in his last 2 weeks (low calorie, high volume training) before he is in PEAK shape! Give it up for @Michael Gartenlaub 👏

Give it up for @Kyle Schmidt 👏 1 month into the program… 15lbs down!! Started at 336 and already down to 321. That didn’t happen by accident. He stayed consistent, navigated Easter weekend without falling off, allowed some flexibility, and kept showing up. This is what it looks like when you commit and follow through. Progress won’t always be this fast, but this first month is proof of what’s possible when you lock in. 🔥

Did my 10 pushups for day 1 of the challenge. Did some reading of the news and got moving. I was on travel today back home.

Yesterday marked 4 months with @Michael Dean. It was also the day I met my personal goal… weighing in at 199. I’ve lost 25 pounds and 4.5 inches since December. I’m looking forward to a hard pivot away from weight loss and toward physique building with Michael in the future.