Summary

Chris, a former firefighter with a passion for helping others, overcame personal struggles and leveraged his experiences during the pandemic to create a successful online health and fitness empire, aiding over 300 individuals in losing significant weight.

Abstract

Chris, a dedicated firefighter for 13 years, faced personal challenges such as a failed cricket career, poor physical shape, and self-consciousness about his receding hairline. Inspired by his mother's advice and a quote from Jim Rohn, he found purpose in helping others, which led to a profound realization during the pandemic while supporting the London Ambulance Service. Witnessing the health struggles of diverse individuals, Chris recognized the need for accessible health and fitness guidance. He combined his love for fitness, problem-solving, and helping people to launch an online venture, which has since transformed the lives of many by promoting sustainable lifestyle changes. His approach emphasizes incremental improvements and daily "non-exercise activity thermogenesis" (NEAT), significantly impacting weight management and overall well-being. Chris's initiative has not only helped people lose approximately 2000 pounds of body fat but has also reshaped their family lives and health outcomes.

Opinions

Chris believes that helping others with their problems can make one's own problems seem less significant.
He values the importance of empathy, understanding that people have different starting points and challenges in their health journeys.
Chris emphasizes that significant lifestyle changes are not necessarily about high-intensity workouts but about consistent, low-grade activities that contribute to daily calorie burn.
He advocates for a tailored approach to fitness and wellness, meeting individuals where they are and guiding them towards sustainable healthier lifestyles.
Chris is motivated by the idea that obstacles can become the path to success, a philosophy echoed by author Ryan Holiday.
He offers a free discovery call to his readers, demonstrating his commitment to solving the toughest problems and leading a fulfilling life by helping others achieve their health and fitness goals.

How I Turned Crippling Self-Doubt Into a Fitness Empire — Helping Over 300 People Lose Extreme Weight

Shifting the attention off of myself taught me a valuable lesson.

My mom always used to say to me, “Chris, the most rewarding thing you’ll ever do in your life is to help others”.

She was right.

For 13 years, I devoted myself to the fire service, driven by my passion for helping others. I’ve always admired this quality in people.

I’ve come to understand this need to help people kinda mirrors my own struggles in a way, whether pursuing a professional cricket career here in the UK and not quite making the grade, being in the worst shape of my life, or not feeling like I was providing enough for my family.

Even something seemingly trivial as my receding hairline gave me a sense of self-consciousness that was difficult to shake.

I recently read a quote from the late Jim Rohn, and it’s incredibly relatable.

“Help people with their problems, and yours disappear.”

Me lending a hand was my ultimate self-remedy.

My opportunity as a 37-year-old with unfulfilled dreams and a young family I wanted to make proud came from the most unexpected place.

My phone buzzed while I was home during the pandemic: “Chris, there’s been a request for the fire service to support the London Ambulance Service to try and cope with the pandemic.”

So, of course, I pitched in.

In the middle, you’ll see my wife Jen and our two kids, who are my driving force. On the left and far right, you’ll catch a glimpse of my time supporting the ambulance service, a refreshing change after 13 years in the fire service.

It was eye-opening to see just how many people were out there really struggling with their health.

It dawned on me that your well-being doesn’t show favouritism.

I met folks who had done well in their careers and used alcohol as a coping mechanism. And people from average working-class households with mental health issues as a consequence of lockdowns.

I met parents as young as 25 with health conditions primarily due to not eating nutritional foods and low activity levels. They weren’t getting natural sunlight, exercise, or drinking enough water — all the things we know about self-care and a healthy lifestyle.

It’s a worn-out saying, but there’s truth to the fact that what everyone knows isn’t always what everyone does.

It’s easy to judge and say, “Why don’t they just eat healthier?” or “Just join a gym.” You need to be in that person’s shoes to grasp what is happening in their lives.

The truth is people have different starting points.

For some, just being able to get out of bed, put on some shoes, and leave the house for a walk is a massive deal.

In those moments working for the Ambulance Service, I’d think, “It’s only a couple of lifestyle tweaks, and these people’s lives would be remarkably different.”

The entire experience left a lasting impression on me.

It hit me like a lightning bolt.

I thought, “Chris, this is it, mate, this is the thing”.

I love fitness, helping people, and problem-solving — this cocktail of experiences I had under my belt felt like a perfect storm.

Helping out with the ambulance service and really grasping people’s struggles inspired me to launch an online health and fitness venture.

Now, I help folks worldwide get into the best shape of their lives and give them a system that sustains this healthier lifestyle as their new normal.

It’s like famous author Ryan Holiday says:

“The obstacle in the path becomes the path.”

What I once saw as a barrier of self-doubt, self-consciousness, and feeling like I’d never reached my goals now fuels a fire in my belly.

This journey has led me to help over 300 individuals who once struggled with weight loss. It’s transformed their health and family lives, and together, we’ve shed approximately 2000 pounds of body fat.

The lesson in it all was that it was never about me.

Luke shed 47 pounds, improving his family life. Laura, who had tried everything from Weight Watchers to Slimming World, lost 60 pounds under my guidance. On the far right, Matt dropped 18 pounds during our brief time together.

My secret weapon for getting people in the best shape of their lives.

Drawing from my own weight loss journey, I found myself equipped with a toolbox of solutions.

In my experience as a qualified fitness professional, telling people what to do isn’t enough. Whenever I talk to folks about hitting their health and wellness goals, I can feel a mix of excitement and nervousness in their voices.

It’s as if I’m about to ask them to run through a blazing inferno of lifestyle overhauls and say goodbye to any shred of social life.

The truth is, I’ve been in their shoes and on the other side of the screen, and I understand what’s practical and what’s just wishful thinking.

I assess people’s diet, fitness, lifestyle, and activity levels to determine their current situation. I then meet them closer to where they are and gradually pull them over to my side of the fence.

It’s been my secret ingredient to changing so many people’s lives.

Studies prove that for both motivation and actual progress, it’s less about the wholesale high-intensity changes in people’s lives and actually the “low-grade activities” we do daily that impact weight regulation.

Dr. James Levine developed NEAT, an acronym for what he calls “Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis.”

It’s the energy you use outside of the gym and workouts, and it’s often overlooked because many people don’t realise its significance.

Think sitting, walking, standing at your desk, taking the stairs, gardening or doing household chores.

The research is undisputable: These non-strenuous activities we take for granted make up 60%+ of our daily calories burned. Lots of NEAT results in lower levels of obesity and a 29% lower risk of death.

It’s where I get people to start and where the rubber meets the road.

Closing Thoughts.

Outside of my family, using personal challenges to fuel growth in other people’s lives is the most fulfilling thing I have ever done.

A buddy once told me, “Chris, the people who lead the happiest lives can solve the toughest problems.”

But here’s the thing: Some people find things more challenging than others. Fitness or getting healthier is hard for many people because they don’t know where to start.

The trick is finding someone who has already solved the problem you’re trying to fix.

I’ll be here if you need me to help.

Special Offer for My Readers

I’m offering a FREE discovery call exclusively to my readers. My passion is helping hundreds of people lose weight and get into the best shape of their lives.

It could be you next.

Let’s chat if you’re struggling with weight loss and need guidance. Schedule a FREE discovery call with me to kickstart your transformation. Together, we’ll tailor a plan that fits your lifestyle perfectly. (if you are on mobile, hold your finger down on the link)