Paul Kati

After being told by his doctor that he needed to improve his health, this 30-something did just that and is now crushing strength PRs and shedding bodyfat – all by getting his training, nutrition, and supplements dialed in.

Written By Jim Stoppani, PhD

Updated September 28, 2023

Written by Paul Kati

It all started when I was 28, sitting in the clinic at work for our annual checkup.

The doctor told me if I continued down this path, I’d be on medication for the rest of my life, with high blood pressure and borderline diabetes.

I knew I was getting big, but I never thought at my age my health would be on a downward spiral. I mean, I coached football and went to the gym almost every day. How could I be that unhealthy?

A couple friends at the gym had been doing Jim’s Shortcut to Shred program. They had some great results on it, so I decided I’d give it a try. I figured I could get behind a doctor covered in tattoos and shredded. I joined JimStoppani.com and the JYM Army Facebook group. I did Shortcut to Shred and got some results but didn’t commit to my diet fully.

When Jim announced the Countdown to Strength Challenge, I knew that was something I wanted to be a part of.

Before the challenge started, I was fortunate enough to win a JYM System stack from the JYM Army's Will Kucharek. He took me under his wing during the challenge and introduced me to some amazing people during that time. I cannot thank him enough for everything he’s done for me.

I had some success during the challenge with strength gains, but I still couldn’t get my diet under control.

I loved the Countdown to Strength program so much that I decided to compete in my first powerlifting meet. I took second place in that meet and I was hooked from there.

I did Countdown to Strength again, Down and Up Mass, Shortcut to Size and 5,3,2 Strength to get ready for my second meet. Once again, though, I was competing at 242 pounds and still couldn’t keep my diet under control.

I was fortunate enough to attend the Arnold Classic this year with some JYM Army members. It was my 30th birthday present to myself. I always wanted to be in better shape at 30 than I was at 20. That didn’t happen. I failed myself. Here I was going to the biggest fitness expo, overweight and depressed.

But after that weekend, my life changed. The conversations and interactions I had with JYM Army members and Jim himself set me back on the right path. I realized I wasn’t a failure and I wasn’t alone anymore.

After that weekend, I had a plan. I followed a flexible dieting plan. I counted my macros and micros, took my JYM supplements, and leaned on the JYM Army when I needed advice or help.

Since March, I've lost 50 pounds and 9 inches off my waist. I’ve set new PRs and even completed the Summer Shred Challenge (Super Shredded 8).

I’m starting prep to compete in my third powerlifting meet in the 198-pound weight class, and I couldn’t be happier with where I’m at now.

Thank you to Dr. Stoppani, the JYM Supplement science team, and the JYM Army members for changing my life!

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