As I reflect back on the darkest period in my 26 years, I want you to learn from my story.

It took me 1.5 years to eat and drink myself to 217 pounds.

After a drug psychosis that led to hospital visits that led to burnt bridges that left me feeling purposeless, I struggled to find a healthy way to cope.

Instead, I turned to food, prescribed anxiety medication, sugary drinks, and sleep.

In the moment, the temporary escape felt amazing. But month by month, I started to feel worse and became unrecognizable.

My clothes got tighter. My breaths got heavier. My confidence started to dwindle.

One day I stepped on the scale and there I saw “200 pounds” staring back at me. “I need to start going to the gym,” I told myself.

Never did I think I’d ever get there. I was known as “MattXFitness”, the calisthenics fitness guy on Twitter, who could do add weight pull-ups with ease.

Yet here I was.

You might assume I learned my lesson then but the worst part is that reality didn’t set in until I added 17 more pounds.

While I wish I never chose to go down this dark path, looking back I am now thankful that I did.

Growing up, I was always in shape. I never had empathy for people who experienced major weight gain.

My first attempt at fitness coaching failed. I now know why.

Because of my own journey, I can now better relate to those struggling with their weight and even their faith in God.

I understand the mindset and continual thoughts that people allow to dictate their habits that leads to weight gain.

Here are 3 lessons I hope you take from this glimpse of my story:

1) Even through our darkest moments, we should trust God to help us understand His plan at a later date. (John 13:7)

2) You are never alone. You have God and you now have The John 5 Movement community to lean on. (Joshua 1:9)

3) Do not wait to gain another 17 pounds to have your wake up call. Make the decision today to get disciplined and resist temptation. Start with one small habit change. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

You can do this. You are one step away from redirecting your life’s path.

One day we want to feature your own story.

And if you ever need help after making that one step, let’s work together.

You deserve to be healthy to complete your life’s mission.

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Remember that we just launched The John 5 Movement website so go check it out to learn more about the inspiration for my passion behind starting this movement.