He came to stretch and he got more than he bargained for.

Anthony, before and after pic.

Anthony, your typical high school teacher, walked into Results for his first evaluation during spring break…

He had booked an appointment for Thursday at 11 AM, eager to make a positive change. When I asked him about his goals, he shyly expressed his desire to get in better shape. I felt like he was even afraid to say it, let alone pursue it. However, with no major limitations and armed with strong willpower, we embarked on what turned out to be a transformative journey together.

The initial workout didn’t go as expected. Due to not having eaten anything that morning, Anthony’s energy plummeted after just twenty minutes. I had to lay him down, stick a sugar cube in his mouth, and elevate his feet to address his pale, shaky state caused by low blood sugar. Realizing that it was necessary to pause, I recommended trying again another time.

Despite this setback, I recognized Anthony’s potential and knew he had more to offer than some wobbling legs and droopy lips. Consequently, we decided to give it another shot. The only available time for both of us was Monday at 5:30 AM. It wasn’t until weeks later, after gaining strength and stamina, that Anthony was finally able to complete a full workout. The journey began slowly and painfully, but it held immense promise.

Remarkably, Anthony showed no resistance whatsoever. He diligently followed my instructions without hesitation. When I asked him to arrive at 5 AM the next day, prepared for an hour of mundane stairs exercise, he simply replied, “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Similarly, when I requested that he fast for eighteen hours, he didn’t flinch. For months at a time, Anthony faithfully fasted for eighteen hours and even longer twice a week. He woke up at 4:30 AM three times a week, walked to the gym, and arrived thirty minutes early to warm up and stretch before his sessions, every single time.

Before he knew it, Anthony found himself entering the third stage of his transformational journey, which I refer to as “the sculpting stage.” This particular phase is known to be the most challenging, as it demands clients to implement new strategies and cultivate fresh, healthy habits.

There are four stages in your transformational journey:

1. Unconscious incompetence. This is the stage where you don’t know what you’re doing wrong. It’s where most people operate initially.
2. Conscious incompetence. In this stage, you become aware of your shortcomings and recognize areas for improvement.
3. Conscious competence. This stage marks the implementation of new strategies. You actively work on developing and honing your skills.
4. Unconscious competence. At this final stage, you have successfully developed healthy habits. They have become second nature to you, and you perform them effortlessly without conscious effort.

These four stages represent the progression and growth you experience throughout your transformational journey.

I always use the pizza analogy to bring more clarity to the third stage. In order to make the journey more successful, I associate each habit with a slice of pizza. You can’t just remove the slice; you need to replace a bad habit with a more powerful, meaningful, and rewarding one.

Recognizing his hunger for personal growth and transformation, and having started witnessing some positive changes, we delved into addressing his personal life as well. Anthony ended an unsuccessful relationship and began pursuing something more meaningful. As his body changed, he yearned for his life to undergo a similar transformation. We engaged in conversations about higher goals, and Anthony’s dedication motivated him to aspire for more. Over the course of one and a half years, Anthony became a new man.

Now, he finds himself in a new and flourishing relationship, moving towards building a family. Anthony recently relocated to Santa Barbara with his girlfriend and secured a new job. Excitement fills him as he embraces new beginnings, leaving town wiser, stronger, and happier. Of course, Anthony’s journey wasn’t entirely smooth and uneventful. There were a couple of setbacks when he got injured, or rather, when an old injury resurfaced. However, regardless of the roadblocks he faced, Anthony never let his arthritic shoulder sway him or give up. He consistently trusted me and the process.

When Anthony initially came to Results, like many of our clients, he aimed modestly and remained hesitant. Little did he know that he would achieve far more than breaking a sweat and shedding a few pounds. He now has a new life alongside a smart and attractive partner in a charming beach town, complemented by a fulfilling job.

Let Anthony’s story inspire you to embark on your own journey and set your sights higher than you ever dreamed possible.

I wish Anthony the best of luck in his new adventure and thank him for trusting me with his fitness goals and beyond.