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From Rock Bottom to Fitness Success: My 2.5-Year Transformation

From Rock Bottom to Fitness Success: My 2.5-Year Transformation

How a former Army Infantryman turned his life around with Jim Stoppani's programs. .

Written By Jim Stoppani, PhD

Updated December 10, 2024

Sam Gable faced a major turning point right around the age of 40.

After years of struggling with weight and health issues, he decided to make a change. With the help of Jim Stoppani’s scientifically-backed programs , Sam has not only transformed his body but also his mindset, achieving incredible results in just over a year.

Hitting Rock Bottom: A Struggle with Health and Confidence

For most of his adult life, Sam struggled with weight and poor health.

“I had gained a significant amount of weight over the years, and I just couldn’t get it off,” he says. “I had no confidence and knew I wasn’t living my best life.”

Finally, Sam got tired of making excuses and finally decided to take control of his health. He knew it was time to stop being passive about his fitness and start actively working toward his goals.

"At the start of my current fitness journey, I was at my rock bottom physically, mentally, and emotionally," he says. "As a former Army Infantryman, I had spent most of 20s in fighting shape. After a rough transition to civilian life and digestive issues that kept me down and out of the gym for around two years, I decided I wanted to be happy and healthy again."

The Turning Point: Finding Success with Jim Stoppani’s Programs

In early 2022, Sam decided to give Jim Stoppani’s programs a serious try.

“I’ve been following Jim’s work for years, but I never fully committed to his programs,” he says. “Once I started, I immediately noticed the difference.”

Sam dove into a combination of Dr. Stoppani’s fat loss and muscle building programs, including the Variable Training Method and Super Shredded 8 . These programs provided the structure, intensity, and variety that Sam needed to kickstart his transformation.

His results were immediate. “I lost 25 pounds in the first few months,” Sam says. “But the real change came when I started seeing muscle growth. I had more energy, and my body was becoming stronger and leaner.”

Sticking to Jim’s structured workout programs, which are designed to create progressive overload, helped Sam break through plateaus and build the muscle he needed to sculpt his physique.

The Power of Consistency: Mindset, Diet, and Supplements

Along with the training, Sam knew that nutrition would be key to his success.

“ Dieting 101 was a game-changer for me,” he explains. “It helped me understand how to fuel my body and make better food choices without feeling deprived.”

Following Jim’s principles, Sam incorporated whole foods and increased his protein intake while keeping his calories in check. He also used intermittent fasting (IF) to accelerate fat loss and maintain muscle.

Sam also credits supplements as a vital part of his journey. “I started with Pre JYM and Post JYM , and I’ve been using them consistently,” he says. “I also added Pro JYM to hit my protein goals, and that’s made a big difference. They help me recover faster and push harder in my workouts.”

Time and health have been Sam's toughest obstacles to overcome. "I'm an Electrical Engineering Technician in an industrial setting, and I have some very long nights," he says. "Some days, I don’t feel like going to the gym, but I drag myself in, drink my Pre JYM , and get after it regardless. Injuries have set me back at times. Dealing with chronic sciatica and a full ligament tear in my right ankle made it tough, but I modified workouts and stayed consistent.

The Future: Staying on Track and Continuing to Improve

Now, over a year into his transformation, Sam is committed to maintaining his results.

“I’ve lost 50 pounds, gained muscle, and improved my strength,” he says. “But I’m not done yet. I’m focused on continuing to build muscle and get even leaner.”

Get results like Sam

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