Drew Manning burst onto the global fitness scene back in 2011 with his incredible “Fit to Fat to Fit” experiment, where he deliberately gained 75 pounds of fat in six months. A lifelong competitive athlete and chiseled personal trainer, Drew purposely let himself transition to obese and inactive in an effort to connect and empathize better with his clients. Listen to Drew relate some amazing insights about his experiment.

Of course, his physical function declined predictably, but it was the effects on his personality that provided the most profound insights. Drew relates becoming self-conscious and insecure, spurring an awakening that the fitness industry might benefit from a transformation. Drew suggests that if we started from a place of empathy instead of rah-rah exhortations, we might have more success in transforming lives.

“Fall in love with the process,” explains Drew. You will also learn why willpower is overrated, how self-awareness might be the missing element for you to achieve weight loss and fitness breakthroughs. After we work through Drew’s vision for an evolved mindset about fitness, Drew shares an incredibly thoughtful and vulnerable story of his personal journey of transformation. Drew describes how his tightly controlled life as an athlete and fitness leader unraveled to reveal a life of lies, deceptions, and self-sabotage—in part driven by a strict religious upbringing and intense athletic experience. Drew keeps it real in talking about the shame of porn addiction, the pain and suffering of divorce, and how he was compelled to awaken to a hopeful new life of authenticity and mindfulness. For anyone wishing to take the first steps toward a more honest and authentic life, Drew offers some quick and memorable tips to establish a healthy baseline of mindfulness, positivity, and gratitude each day.

You will get a ton of value and inspiration from Drew during this episode, and you can connect with Drew further at Fit2Fat2Fit.

TIMESTAMPS:

When Drew became a personal trainer, he became curious about what it was like to be overweight., thus began his interesting journey from Fit to Fat to Fit. [05:47]

Drew gained 75 pounds purposely in a very short time. He became self-conscious and insecure. [07:36]

The emotional attachment to food is way more powerful than imagined. [10:23]

There was a severe detox reaction when he withdrew from the processed junk foods. {13:25]

Drew developed extreme empathy for people struggling with their weight. He felt judged by society. [17:37]

It was easy to see how people get stuck in the desire to lose weight and the feeling of safety. [20:08]

Focus on the process rather than the end result. [23:51]

Changing your environment will help you learn to adapt. People struggle with willpower. [27:25]

Some tips for promoting exercise are laying out exercise clothes for the morning or having a group setting for support and accountability. [32:03]

The catalyst to change is self-awareness. [35:14]

You can’t define yourself as someone who has been a failure. [38:08]

You have to overcome mental and emotional challenges and release the self-hate. [41:12]

What are some baby steps a listener could take? Meditation, Positive affirmations, journaling. [47:59]

There seems to be a movement of mindfulness. [59:31]

LINKS:

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