"I just want to see my abs — once."

Savio grew up the chubby kid — avoiding pools, hiding behind crossed arms, and feeling the weight of insecurity long before he ever picked up a weight.

Now in his 30s, he moved from Canada to live in Vietnam with his wife, but he is still chasing the same goal that’s been with him for half his life: to finally see abs. But as he tries to diet down, self-doubt, conflicting advice, and the temptation to “adjust something” too soon keep creeping in.

We talk about how to stay objective, the hierarchy of training and nutrition priorities, and how to know when to push versus when to hold steady.