Jer Caruthers

Thank you for taking the time to read this. My journey began nearly two years ago when I noticed a friend's remarkable transformation on Facebook, showcasing his progress under the guidance of his trainer, Jordan. Intrigued by the consistent updates, I reached out and asked him about the changes he had made to his physique.

He revealed that he had hired a trainer, embraced clean eating, and committed to regular training. After some reflection and realizing that the time had come for me to change, I decided to hire the same trainer and set out on my path to transform my life. I was determined to shake off my old habits and evolve into the man I aspired to be, instead of settling into an average lifestyle like many others around my age.

Embarking on this 12-week transformation challenge presented its own set of difficulties. I had taken a few months off from training to focus on launching a new restoration business, particularly during the hurricane recovery efforts. As time passed, I found myself missing the training and reaching out to Jordan for guidance. He suggested that I take on the challenge as a way to regain focus and reintegrate fitness into my life.

Throughout the 12 weeks, I discovered that lifting weights came more naturally to me than meal prep and maintaining consistency in my nutritional choices. Most weeks, I was able to stay committed about 75-80% of the time. However, during the last three weeks of the challenge, I figured out how to consume the right nutrients for my training and fat loss goals. As a result, I managed to reduce my body fat from 22% to 15%, while simultaneously gaining muscle.

This journey has taught me a valuable lesson: I need to further develop the habit and discipline of meal prep and integrate it into my lifestyle to push beyond what I previously thought achievable. The physical changes I experienced have not only been visible within my circle but also recognized by those outside of it. People have approached me, inspired by my transformation, much like I was inspired by my friend's journey.

Moreover, I was fortunate to encourage a father and son—one of my youth group kids, to start training. As a youth pastor, this has been particularly gratifying. I am becoming the man I always envisioned, and this transformation is reflected both internally and externally. I aspire to inspire others, steering clear of the typical "dad bod" mentality that many in my age group embrace. I am committed to living authentically and eliminating hypocrisy from my life.

This transformation has drastically changed how I show up in life, how others perceive me, and has made me a more effective and purposeful man, as opposed to merely average. I see it as a refining process—shedding the old version of myself to embrace the new one. I am on my way to becoming the person I have long desired to be, instead of postponing it until next year or tomorrow.

While I still have a significant journey ahead to reach my ultimate fitness and strength goals, I now possess a solid foundation to continue walking this path.