Out of the Darkness

It was summer 2005 and I was heavy into large mass building and strength training. My Fat Percentage was a 24% and I had no cardio or aerobic conditioning. I looked fine with a shirt on due to my barrel chest, big arms and shoulders, but underneath I was a disaster….fat gut, no abs, and a double chin. To put it in perspective, I looked like a strong Uncle Fester. Oh yeah, I was bald too. The physical train wreck was just the surface issue, like an iceberg the rest of the problem lurked under the visible surface. My self-esteem was nonexistent, I hated the person I saw in the mirror, I consistently lied to others and myself, I had trouble sleeping, and the carbon dioxide building up in my body was toxic… I started to feel lethargic and slow, always out of breath from simple tasks and I was drinking a lot too. When I would become intoxicated I would do things that I regretted the following day. The incidents included but not limited too: punching holes in walls; yelling at friends; aggressive behavior; stealing; lying; and an overall negative disposition. Basically I hated my life and where it was going. I hated who I’d become and myself. I longed for a way out of the darkness. I tried mental therapy. I tried spiritual guidance. I tried confiding in people who didn’t care. Dead-ends all around and I knew a change was imminent. However, I could not afford to continue to live in the viscous mire I’ve made accustom for so long. You meet people along life’s path that are naturally magnetic. People you want to get to know, men and women that you would die with in battle, and die for as well. These people don’t come around for everyone and they don’t arise very often. Not many people in my small world made a difference or even cared to. My best friend Tom introduced me to a man that would make that difference. His methods and knowledge held the key to the yolk I carried. Someone I could lean on for physical knowledge and mental fortitude. His name is Garrin Clark and along with his advice on diet and nutrition, F3’s WPT (Warrior Protocol Training) has indeed changed my life. Of course my body has tightened up and looks good but again that’s not the most important part. No more do I look for the easy way out. My life is no longer a detriment to those I love but a blessing. The harmful, evil feelings I enveloped myself with for so many years have lifted.

I had traded the albatross for the phoenix. I have lost 45lbs and dropped 6 pant sizes in 6 months. I laugh more and have patched up hurtful feelings with new and old friends. I have a better attitude at work. My performance is better not only in the gym but at home and in my career. I’m happy now… happy with my self and my life for the first time ever. I could never say that before. So I’m gonna say it again. I’m finally happy with me! I no longer carry the weight of the old me, both on my person and in my spirit. I want to thank from the bottom of my heart my new family at F3. All the warriors who train next to me everyday, who sweat and battle along with me, you have changed my life forever. My life is better because of you. This is the beginning of the rest of my life.

Justin Messingham
Aka Hollywood