On today’s episode of Live Lean TV, I’m sharing a before and after weight loss transformation of one of our Live Lean community members.
This is going to be a little bit different than our traditional posts.
Today we’re highlighting a member of our Live Lean community, Alex.
Alex shared her empowering story in a video and written testimonial.
We’re sharing Alex’s story because if you’re struggling, let this be the fuel take your journey to the next level.
Receiving video and written testimonials, and before and after photos, really makes all the hard work worthwhile.
Both Jessica and I put so much time and effort into creating our community and pursuing our Live Lean Transformation 1,000,000 mission.
Therefore, when we receive a powerful and emotional testimonial from a Live Lean community member, who is so vulnerable with her journey, we have to share it.
When I first read this, it gave me chills.
I’m sure a lot of Alex’s story will resonate with you as well.
So let’s get into.
What you’re about to read is a little bit of Alex’s background, and her testimonial, titled “How Living Lean Saved Me”.
So sit back and enjoy.
Hey, my name is Alex, and I’ve been a part of the Live Lean family for about four years.
I decided to share my story with everyone because I feel like people need to know more about Brad and Jess.
In particular, what they really do for the Live Lean community.
So to understand what Living Lean means to me, I’d like to share a little story about myself.
When I first discovered Brad and Jess, I had no idea what “Living Lean” meant.
I was also in a very dark place in my life.
This included being in a very bad relationship for almost 5 years.
It was a very toxic and borderline mentally abusive relationship where I did not see any way out.
Not only had I went from 120 to 160 pounds in college, but I also became a very cynical and destructive person.
I also was in a car accident.
This led me to put on 20 pounds in 6 months, while I was in a wheelchair.
When I got out of my wheelchair, I did NOTHING but cardio, mixed with an extremely low calorie intake diet.
This caused my weight to drop down to 130 pounds, only to go back up to 170 pounds shortly after.
To say I was my own worst enemy is an understatement.
This led to poor eating and drinking choices.
The negative energy of my ex also affected me as a person.
I allowed him to disrespect me and therefore, did not respect myself enough to care about my own health and body.
And worst of all, at this point, I had flown across the country, to be with him in another state, without anything there for me.
At the time, I had very little resources so I turned to YouTube and started watching Brad and Jess on Live Lean TV.
When I first came across their videos, I started off casually viewing them here and there.
It almost seemed like what they were doing was just a fantasy that was unachievable.
“You can eat like a regular person and be skinny”, yeah right I thought.
I didn’t know that skinny did not always equal healthy, and that eating less and less food was NOT the answer.
The more Live Lean TV videos I watched, the more I became convinced that they had something figured out.
Their approach to fitness is unlike anything I had ever seen.
What was great in the beginning, was the amount of resources that they provided, both through their private Live Lean community Facebook accountability group, and the Live Lean TV YouTube channel.
Every single topic that you could ever want to hear about, they have a video on.
This is great, because there are so many things out there, that you never really know what to listen to anymore.
It feels like Brad and Jess really break it down and don’t give in to any sort of gimmicky diet.
Instead of criticizing, judging, and dwelling on the bad, their approach came from a place of kindness and inspiration.
Also, instead of preaching to others and only showing off their bodies, they educate their viewers and explain why you do things a certain way.
They have hundreds of videos, tutorials, programs, and so many resources you can use to get any results you want.
When I was watching them, I saw a couple who had so openly invited the world into their home.
They also shared their habits like it wasn’t a big deal.
Their openness and willingness to share with others helped me see how much of a disservice I was doing to myself.
I could see how they take care of themselves and I realized that if they could do it, why couldn’t I?
Brad and Jess also motivate you, by giving you the steps you need.
They also show you what they do, and what works for them in their daily lives.
For me, this was huge. I feel like a lot of people will show you their very best pictures, at the very best angle, and not really provide you with any sort of insight on how they got there, or things that do not work.
It’s just like here’s my best self.
I like that Brad and Jess don’t do that.
They share what works for them, at every single stage of their lives.
I really like that about them.
I bought my first Live Lean program, Live Lean Formula For Women.
For a few months, I did a workout here and there but found trouble committing.
I still allowed my unhealthy habits to take control and did not see myself as a deserving person.
I did not DESERVE to be fit.
Subconsciously, I didn’t think I could be a “hot girl”.
I wasn’t meant to be a “fitness person”, whatever that meant.
So the destructive habits of binge eating, drinking, allowing a toxic ex to disrespect me, to call me names, and to control my life continued.
I was more depressed than I had been in my entire life and I finally had it.
Something needed to change and all of it was tied to the way I was treating myself.
I finally said, enough is enough.
Then I told myself to do 5 days straight of Live Lean Formula For Women.
This is exactly what Jess said to do..
“Just do 5 days” I said, just commit to that and let’s see what happens.
I can’t tell you exactly what happened but on that 5th day I felt stronger not only physically but mentally.
Here is my before and after weight loss transformation.
Investing in Live Lean Formula For Women, was the really big turning point in my life.
They provide you with all the things that you could ever possibly want and then some.
Any of the programs that you do, they will give you not only the actual program, but they will give you all the diet information that you need.
When I say diet, I don’t mean a low calorie diet, I just mean the proper way to eat to fuel your body.
I was so riled up over everything that after another giant fight with my boyfriend, I knew it was time to let go.
So I left my boyfriend, and was on a flight back to Michigan on the 6th day.
Now, there are a lot of things that played into this choice.
But I believe a big part of the reason I was finally able to leave was because I had the courage and the willpower built up from making and sticking to the commitment I made to myself in the gym.
I will never forget the day that I left, and the couple months after that.
These were maybe even harder, but I knew in my heart were right.
I had finally chosen to do something for myself and for my own health.
During this time, I dove even deeper into the Live Lean world.
I completed Live Lean Formula For Women and could not have been happier with the results.
Then I also completed the Live Lean Way nutrition mindset program, as well as build a butt.
I am hoping to do Pull Up Babe after completing another program I am doing at the moment.
Regardless of where you are in your fitness journey, I would recommend a Live Lean program for anyone, at any stage.
If you don’t know what you’re doing, they are a great place to start, and to get all the resources you need, to succeed.
It’s not something unachievable, if you have the faith in yourself and the willpower to do so.
To this day, I watch Brad and Jess daily on some form of social media and continue to be inspired by their commitment to their health.
I feel proud to be a part of this movement and owe them so much for my happiness, and my bod!
I have truly never felt happier.
That’s about it.
If you’re not a part of the Live Lean Nation family, then you’re missing out.
Thank you Brad and Jess!
As you can see from Alex’s before and after photos, she is like a completely different, changed, empowered, and positive person.
I 100% have so much respect for you, for not only putting in the work, but actually sharing your story, and allowing us to share it with the Live Lean Nation.
Being that vulnerable, and sharing your personal stories, has to be difficult.
I know it is, because when I shared my vulnerable stories during my journey, it was very hard to put that out in the world.
Especially since people can be so judgmental.
Personally I feel like YouTube, even in the fitness world, is becoming all about judging other people to create controversy.
Let’s get back to helping, inspiring, and building people up.
Also lets make people feel good about whatever nutrition protocols or workout styles they decide to do.
Even if it is not the optimal way to get the fastest results, if it’s positive and making them feel good about themselves, keep doing it.
Alright, rant over.
Alex, thank you so much for not only putting in the work, but actually paying it forward, by sharing your story.
This helps us get the message out there, and allows us to help other people take action, just like you did.
I can’t wait to meet you in person one day.
Speaking of that, one of our goals is once our kids get a little bit older, Jessica and I want to take our message to other cities.
We want to host meetups across the country and world.
To everybody else reading this right now.
If you have a story like this that you would like to share with us, we would love to hear it.
Email us here with your before and after photos and written and/or video testimonial.
This really makes our day.
Brad Gouthro is the founder of Live Lean TV, a media company focused on helping men and women “Live Lean” 365 days a year. Brad’s programs and content have helped millions of people all over the world learn how to get in shape, and more importantly, sustain it for life.