No matter how beneficial it is, most of us have a hard time maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We’d rather snack on greasy, salty, and sweet treats over fruits and nuts; and we prefer staying up late binge-watching our favorite TV shows, instead of hitting the sack early so we can do a morning workout the next day. These are just some examples of unhealthy habits that most people tend to develop and can’t seem to let go of. But the man in this story proved that it is possible to change one’s poor habits, as long as you have the right motivation.
Sam Rouen was the winner of the 2008 season of “The Biggest Loser”, a show in which contestants each compete to lose the most weight in a span of 12 weeks. When Sam came to the show, he was just 19 years old and weighed 154 kilograms. He has struggled with his weight all his life.
Being part of the show compelled him to let go of his bad habits. The coaches motivated him to eat healthier and live a more active lifestyle. The training and discipline did not disappoint, and Sam was hailed the winner at the end of the season after losing 71 kilograms – an incredible feat for anyone, especially for someone so young.
Sam continued his fitness journey even without the cameras. He didn’t skip workouts, ate right, and kept his motivation. The whole time that he was training, Sam had a specific goal in mind – to become a firefighter. This dream seemed farfetched when he was still overweight, but now that he has shed off the pounds, he knew this was the perfect time for him to pursue his lifelong dream.
Fast forward to 10 years later, Sam is barely unrecognizable – but in a good way. From being a chubby boy, he has matured into a muscular and toned man. More importantly, he graduated from the Fire & Rescue Training College in 2013 and went on to become a successful firefighter. Years of hard work and perseverance finally paid off, and Sam eventually achieved his greatest dream!
What used to be a chore for him is now Sam’s unbreakable habit – working out.
“I’m addicted to working out now,” he shared with The Daily Telegraph. “I definitely love running and working out with my brother. I play a bit of sport to stay in shape and also work out in the gym.”
His good looks and physique didn’t go unnoticed. In fact, he even appeared as a model in a firefighters calendar.
Sam has also found success in love, as he got engaged to his girlfriend Daniella.
Sam is certainly proud of his incredible transformation, but it doesn’t mean that he is completely rid of insecurities.
“I’m still extremely self-conscious,” he explained. “I still don’t like taking my shirt off, even at the beach.”
Sam hopes that his journey will inspire other people who want to take control of their life and start over.
“You can be at your lowest point and, with a bit of hard work and persistence, you can turn it around and fulfill your dreams.”
Kudos to Sam for keeping fit and for fulfilling his dream of becoming a firefighter! His story is proof that with the right amount of determination and grit, anyone has the ability to change their lives for the better.
Share this incredible transformation story with your friends and family!