Transformations / Testimonials
WBFF Fitness Model World Champion
T.J. Rowe's Transformation
Seeking Help
Early 2015 I had a realization about how massive I had become over 10 years. I needed help, and I couldn’t do it myself. Some friends had told us about a company in KC called Hitchfit and explained how great it was for them. I decided to reach out to Micah at HitchFit following some research on the internet and seeing them on local television news stations. Micah put me in contact with Justin Gonzalez.
I wasn’t mentally ready.
I waited a month or so then reached back out to Justin to tell him I was ready. I had the support of my wife and family, which is critical. I had my mind set and was focused on achieving my goals. Justin and I took before pictures (SHOCKINGLY SCARY) and measurements. We laid out our plan and how we were going to achieve my goal. When we first started I couldn’t believe how weak I was and how out of shape physically. It was alarming and scary.
The Hard Truth
To say I stayed true to the path isn’t 100% true, I did fall off a time or two, but Justin was always there to remind me of my goal and how far I had come. One of my hobbies is that I love “Home Brewing”. This is a very difficult thing to love to do while trying to stay in shape. The funny thing is from the start I said I would continue to enjoy this hobby while changing myself.
Could I get well beyond where I want to go by stopping what I love? Yes, but my mental well-being is a very important part of my adventure. Homebrewing allows me mental focus and a release from stress, but I knew I'd have to work harder to get where I want physically because of it. I now have the energy, motivation and results to keep going.
The Battle
At the time I wasn’t really sure if I had the time or effort to put in into changing myself although I knew I had to. Work and family were always an easy excuse to avoid any major exercising or workout routines. Also, I wasn’t really sure that a personal trainer would be more than someone just looking at me and just throwing me on a machine. For the money I wanted reassurance that I would change if I was all in. I chickened out after talking on the phone with Justin because I just didn’t think I had the support from family or myself. I just couldn’t get myself to go all in.
How did it get this bad?
I was formerly a very fit and athletic person how did it get so bad so fast?
I had become a blob of skin and fat. Justin reassured me and motivated me through 12 weeks of two one hour workouts a week and a strict meal plan. I began to shed the weight, change my habits and become more energized. The changes started happening which motivated me more. The path was set and now I just needed to keep following it.
Over the 12 weeks I lost close to 50 pounds!
I started around 256, and I now move between 210 depending on how well I’m staying on my path. My ultimate goal was to get down to 199-200 which I believe I can still achieve but a benefit to the way I train is that I am building Muscle Bulk now and staying at my current weight. For me a shocking result is in my bench press. I started with Justin bench pressing 70 lbs (50 lb bar and two tens) and would be absolutely exhausted, but now I am bench pressing 190 lbs without being completely exhausted. I don’t train more than 3-4 with cardio times a week, but the path that Justin and Hitchfit got me on has really worked.
The Result
In the end I got my self-esteem back, I'm in better condition, look better, feel better, eat cleaner (I still enjoy bad foods from time to time) and have a friend/coach that I can message and turn to if need be. I am so grateful for Justin Gonzales and what they he has done for me and my life. The first step to anyone thinking about changing is to just talk to a trainer. The journey is as long as you want it to be, it’s not easy, it’s not simple but it’s worth it.
—T.J. Rowe