Motivation

The Fat Kid Who Proved Everyone Wrong – 4 Key Lessons About Life

Published

6 years ago

Oct 28, 2013

Let’s just say that I didn’t have the best childhood in the world. My parents divorced when I was five years old and that destroyed my life. I developed a severe case of anxiety. What did I do to cope with the pain? I ate. And I ate a lot.

I became the fat kid of the class who sucked at sports. Do you remember the guy that got picked last for sports? That was my childhood. I got picked on at school and life at home was not the best. I soon started feeling like I had no control over my life. This sense of being powerless made me develop a stutter.

By the time I was 14 I had lost complete control over my life and I was thinking about ending it.

For some reason I decided to join a gym on a New Year’s Resolution and that was it. That became my escape.

It took me 7 years of GRINDING to get where I am now but the lessons that I learned where priceless.

Lesson 1 – Don’t be afraid to create your own path

I’ve always been a nerd so it was natural for me to approach the gym with science. I started counting macronutrients when I was 15. There were no applications or programs for me to use back then.

I would constantly carry notebook and a calculator making calculations concerning the foods I was eating. I needed to make sure that I was consuming the EXACT amount of protein, carbs and fat in each of my meals.

I also had to make sure I was eating my meals at the exact times of the day. Everyone looked at me weird for doing this. I didn’t care. I knew that with time this was going to pay off.

Lesson 2 – Work your ass off

I lived by the following motto: “I don’t care if you’re better than me. I will work a hundred times harder than you. If I lose, it will not be because someone worked harder than me”

Every day at 3:15 I would raise my hand in class and run to my locker and get my pre workout meal. I would go eat it in the bathroom. Why? I wanted to have the exact amount of carbohydrates exactly 45 minutes before I was going to work out.

Every little detail counted. In the gym I worked out until I was about to faint. During my free time I would spend hours and hours researching every single aspect of training and nutrition.

Fridays were my favorite day of the week. Why? I could workout for 2 extra hours cause there wasn’t any school the next day.

Lesson 3 – Losing everything makes you stronger

I realized I was motivated to compete in bodybuilding my senior year in high school. But there was one problem.

I was born with a deformity where my chest bone and rib cage sank into my body. This did not look pretty at all and gave my entire upper body a very weird look.

I was so determined to accomplish my goal that I went through a surgery where they inserted a metal bar underneath my chest bone to push the entire rib cage outwards.

Imagine braces but for your chest bone and rib cage. I couldn’t work out for 6 months and my recovery was almost a year. I lost every single pound of muscle I had ever gained.

Do you think my friends supported me? They would constantly remind me that I looked anorexic.

Recovering from that surgery and gaining all my muscle back gave me the confidence to know that I could lose it all and would still manage to find the way to gain everything back.

That experience gave me more confidence than anything else. And yes. I still have a metal bar in my chest.

Lesson 4 – Embrace the haters

Everyone around me told me I wasn’t going to make it. Everyone around me told me that my tactics were weird and wrong. Trainers at my gym would mock me and tell me I would never get anywhere without steroids.

I took all of this as fuel to the fire. I knew that one day they were going to blush at what I was going to attain.

Prove people wrong just once and you will NEVER doubt yourself again. You will start believing you can do anything.

Lesson 5 – Each Day Counts

How fast you accomplish your goals is completely up to you. Each you have an opportunity to do one more thing that will get you closer towards your vision.

Christmas parties? I took my own meals to every single Christmas party and every single birthday. I refused to break my diet no matter the occasion.

I will admit that I went to a few parties throughout high school but I would always end up leaving towards the middle to go buy some yogurt from a gas station.

What happened with my stutter?

At age 19 I realized how much I had overcome. I realized that I finally had the power to control the course of my life.

This realization made me realize that I too had control over my speech. After one week of confidently talking to people, my stutter disappeared.

Up Next

10 Ways You Can Be A Successful Early Riser

Don't Miss

(Motivational Video) Motivation for Greatness!

Sebastian

Sebastian is the mastermind behind Shots Of Insight. In his own words: "Dare to be DIFFERENT - It's a lot more fun that way. Life is way too short to settle for a boring life." Head over to his site and take a shot every single Friday morning.

23 Comments

Jacob Pearson
Jul 21, 2018 at 1:17 am
Thanks for the motivation. Always inspiring to see others pursuing and reaching out to greater heights in life.
Jacob
Reply
Zarina
May 15, 2017 at 3:12 pm
Wow, this is amazing! I’m currently trying to lose weight and it’s been really hard; it seems like my parents are pushing me for their own gain because I’m not the skinniest teenage girl. I have no motivation and people, things, always stop me. I’m really proud of you, you’ve come a long way! Keep being strong 🙂
Reply
Sayeret
Jun 28, 2016 at 5:58 am
Your story has really inspired me. It made me think how I was always the “fat” kid who always got picked last for sports. Now I’m getting better. I am eating a lot better now and its all thanks to your amazing and inspiring article. Thank you so much?Keep up the good work
Reply
Emma
Nov 6, 2013 at 9:23 pm
WOW! You are a living testimony I have really been inspired by your story and I will now start to write my own .I have been told to give up and that my efforts will amount to nothing but I have faith and I will never give up. Thank you!
Reply
- Sebastian
  Nov 8, 2013 at 12:43 am
  It’s funny that you mentioned faith. I had that tattooed into my arm when I started this journey.
  Best of luck to you too. Keep your head high.
  Ps: My transformation video is here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uMKy8D-hJg
  Reply
From Loser to Hero
Nov 3, 2013 at 6:27 am
Great post. Really inspiring. I keep fingers crossed for you. Good luck.
Reply
- Sebastian
  Nov 8, 2013 at 12:38 am
  Best of luck to you, wish you the best!
  Reply
Kay
Oct 30, 2013 at 6:33 am
Wow..you inspired me so much!!
I am 20 years old girl on wheelchair, some years ago I almost give up..but i dont why, I started taking physiotherapy and other exercises. Now I am in love with my life.
After reading your post,. One thing came into my mind ”If you can do this then hell yes..I can do it too..”
I will walk, dance and run..
I will post my story.. 🙂
Thanks for the motivation..
Reply
- Sebastian
  Oct 31, 2013 at 1:40 pm
  Wow, no, thank you! I wish you all the strength in the world. I’ll be waiting for you story. Never give up.
  Reply
Maxwell Ivey
Oct 29, 2013 at 10:21 pm
Hello; thanks for sharing your inspirational story. as the fat kid in school i was only asked first for red rover. In the last few years I have been treated for sleep apnea had gastric surgery and lost over 240 pounds. I am now at 6 ft 4 and 265 with a little more work to go. I have gone a lon way towards being a success with my business as an amusement equipment reseller, and I happen to be blind. I am 47 now and look forward to every new day. Thanks again and take care, max
Reply
- Sebastian
  Oct 30, 2013 at 3:26 am
  Wow, that is a story far more impressive than mine. Dude, I’m very curious by nature, so take this the best way possible. If you’re blind, how do you manage to read articles and comment on people’s posts?
  Reply
Sebastian
Oct 29, 2013 at 8:00 pm
Thank you, you’re making me blush
Reply
Mush Bola Maluleka
Oct 29, 2013 at 6:39 am
Niecly, done mate! Keep kicking A$$, you are doing great!
Reply
moniquepau
Oct 29, 2013 at 3:46 am
Very impressed by this! You will inspire a lot of people 🙂
I think struggles are the pillars of life, they are needed to keep pushing you to become better. The best part about it is that you conquered each obstacle. It takes a certain kind of mind set for this kind of growth and overall positivity. I love it!
Reply
- Sebastian
  Oct 29, 2013 at 4:07 am
  I don’t think great people are born, they can also be made. I used to be the most insecure person in the world. When I had a stutter, I barely talked to anyone for YEARS… I was afraid of everything. This was so bad I thought I would never be able to have a girlfriend.
  It was desperation that made me finally change. Desperation and reading a shit ton of motivational, how to, self help books.
  And yes… Struggles are the greatest blessing anyone could ever have. Embrace them. They shape who become.
  Reply
Kevin
Oct 29, 2013 at 2:46 am
Congrats!! Always great to see people pursuing a vision. Keep up the great work and let us know what your next steps are
Reply
- Sebastian
  Oct 29, 2013 at 4:05 am
  Next steps are… boxing, motocross, guitar and singing. Seriously. Prove people wrong ONCE and you will start believing you can do anything.
  Reply
shobelyn
Oct 28, 2013 at 10:26 pm
Oh my. I applaud you for your unwavering self will. That is amazing. I am trying to lose some weight and become healthy, but the things that make me not stick to my weight loss plan are just too strong. It is so difficult to stick to the plan and going to the gym is a lot of hard work. I’d rather sleep. You are inspiring. I wish I will have a little bit of your strong motivation. AMAZINg !
Reply
- Sebastian
  Oct 29, 2013 at 1:10 am
  Honestly Shobelyn, I’m not sure what to tell you other than you have to want it bad. I hit rock bottom before starting to go the gym. I had chronic depression and extreme anxiety. I started doing this because I needed it to save my life.
  Other than… I read TONS of motivational and self help books in order to motivate me. I’ve probably read at least 85% of the articles here at addicted2success.
  Everyone experiences that spark of motivation. Now, what are you going to do to keep that spark lit?
  Reply
  - Jason
    Dec 1, 2013 at 2:53 pm
    I would love to know 1 or 2 books that helped you the most. I am not very motivated at this time due to my own depression and anxiety. Thanks so much.
    Reply
    - Sebastian
      Dec 9, 2013 at 1:30 pm
      Psychocybernetics. Psychocybernetics. And Psychocybernetics. 😉
      Reply
Mark Barlow
Oct 28, 2013 at 10:24 pm
Dude I have the concave chest thing too, how much did your surgery cost? It looks expensive!
Reply
- Sebastian
  Oct 29, 2013 at 1:06 am
  I’m actually from Paraguay and let’s just say that things are pretty cheap there. My doctor had only performed that surgery 3 times before me so… it was definitely a wild ride.
  Have you been on the pectusinfo forums? Go to my blog, or one of my channels, and contact me if you want more information on the surgery.
  Reply

Motivation

Let Your Feet Do The Talking

Published

2 weeks ago

Mar 28, 2020

Dave Knight

Image Credit: Unsplash

The message ‘let your feet do the talking’ takes me back to my younger days as it was something my dad would say before a particularly big football match. I never quite realised up until recently how that message has impacted me in all areas of my life. Predominantly, it is about life position and knowing your worth, which is important for all of us. (more…)

Motivation

The Bare Truth of What It Literally Means to Do Whatever It Takes

Published

1 month ago

Mar 7, 2020

Eunice Gatehi

Image Credit: Unsplash

Humans are always looking for ways to become better versions of themselves and grow to the next level. With a ton of self-help books, we are determined to get ourselves together and run that road that is less traveled. We are hungry for success. We set our goals and say that we will do whatever it takes to achieve them. However, do we walk the talk? Are we convicted enough to chase our dreams? (more…)

Motivation

7 Things You Can Do To Motivate Yourself After You’ve Experienced Failure

Published

1 month ago

Feb 29, 2020

Deep Moteria

Image Credit: Unsplash

Failure and success are part of our lives. But it is challenging to accept your failures and bring yourself above it. Failure is mere a cornerstone to your success as they can often point the right path to follow. Failures of all types must be handled in the best way possible. But when life brings you down, you have to learn to face your failures and fears to prepare for success. Not sure if you can do it or not? (more…)

Motivation

A 10 Step Action Plan for Instant Motivation

Published

1 month ago

Feb 26, 2020

John Caviness

Image Credit: Unsplash

If you need immediate help, try these ten tips over the next ten days and then observe how your life changes. Write down the changes in a personal notebook. Continue with what works and discard what doesn’t. (more…)