I grew up as an athlete, I never gave a second thought to exercise or what I ate because I was so active gaining weight was never an issue. I continued to play sports and exercise into my twenties, I didn’t look like I did when I was a teenager but I figured “who does”. I got married when I was thirty and was blessed with three great kids. During my wife’s pregnancies I put on weight and I was definitely not as diligent as my wife about taking it off. Fast forward six years, I was really unhappy about my appearance, I had gained 50 lbs since I got married and I was really feeling it. My back and ankle were bothering me and I was quite positive it was attributed to my weight gain and my sedentary lifestyle. Life would change on December 18th 2012. On my way to work that morning I received an urgent phone call from my wife asking me to come back to the house because she had to rush to the hospital to meet her sister because our brother in law, Max, had fallen in his room and hit his head and was unresponsive. What we didn’t know at that moment was that Max had suffered a major heart attack and unfortunately would pass away later that day. Max was like a brother to me and I took his passing very hard. Max was only 44 years old, he was a little older than me but what was really scary to me was he was healthier than I was. I knew I had to make some changes in my life. Knowing you have to make some changes and actually making those changes are two totally different things! I wasn’t sure where to start, I had worked out in the gym in my twenties but I was already in shape at that time so walking around to different machines or free weights was easy but I knew that I would become bored and most likely give up faced with the challenge of getting back in shape on my own. I knew that my good friend, Chuck, had started to work out with a trainer and he seemed to be sticking with it so I gave him a call to find out more about it. That is when I was introduced to Neal. My first session was tough but I made it through and even though I was exhausted I felt good. I have just completed my first year working out with Neal and it’s amazing how much my life has changed. I have rediscovered the athlete in myself, I feel better than I have in a long time! Chuck and I still work out together which I think has been extremely beneficial because we have been able to help keep each other motivated and accountable but the real credit goes to Neal. I never thought I would like working out with a trainer and honestly my pride kept me from thinking I needed someone to help me workout. Neal has kept things fresh, our routines are always different in some way and there is always a different goal to achieve. He has pushed me to work out my entire body and focus on my core even when I am convinced that all I need to do is bench press and curl! Even on days when the last thing I want to do is go exercise I never for one second regret signing up with Neal. 

 

Steve, Age 37