Joseph
“I have never had this much confidence. I look for a reason to take my shirt off now hahaha.”
How many months’ progress do your pictures represent? What were your stats for each picture?
Weight was 245 to 185 lbs, approx 11% body fat.
What has happened so far on the program?
I didn’t really keep track of the time for my cutting and bulking cycles in the beginning, or my measurements, and as of recently I haven’t been able to bulk because of the pandemic and the inconsistencies in being able to go to the gym, so I either cut or maintain for the most part. Even when I was bulking I wasn’t making significant gains. This year 2021 I made the most significant gains though when I started on the carnivore diet.
Deadlift went from 300 lbs to 350 lbs ( conventional ) and trap bar was 380 lbs. Bench press is not my strong suit, for whatever reason my shoulders hurt as soon as I pick up 200 lbs. But I did start doing them more often to see if that pain would improve and it did! I managed to reach 260 lbs for 6reps so I can confidently say my PR is probably in the realm of 280 lbs.
Military press, 180 lbs PR, and squat, well my knee is a bit fucked up these days, almost for a year to the day. But I tapped out at 250 lbs, that’s ass to grass squatting. In total, my weight loss was 66 lbs, from 245 to 179 lbs. But I found myself a little week at 179 lbs, so I bulked to keep myself at 185 lbs-190 lbs. I lost all that weight from 2018-2019.
Ever since I have just been sculpting my body to what it is today. I may not follow the cycling recommended in the books I have read by Mike but beyond that, I have followed his instruction to the letter.
What workout split from the book did you use?
I started on the 5day split from Bigger Leaner Stronger. I have recently switched to the 4-day split, and just combined the accessory day into the 4 days I am working out. I found that 3 days rest allowed me to feel not to the rundown, especially when I am on the road working.
What, if anything, almost kept you from buying the book or starting the program?
To be honest I don’t have any real answer for this. I had tons of questions and googling always came up with inconsistent answers. I stumbled across Mike’s podcast once on a Greyhound bus from Whistler BC to Vancouver Airport on my return home to Newfoundland from work. Every topic of his podcast was the topic of questions I had. I bet on the 2-hour ride I downloaded 20 podcasts, started listening and taking notes.
Mike would always promote the book so I bought it that day as well. I didn’t get through all the podcasts but the book had every answer I needed and I carried that book with me everywhere I went across Canada in case I needed a reference. I of course read it front to back and it revolutionized how I worked out. For me there was no doubt about the book once I listened to one podcast, I was sold immediately and for good reason, and one reason only… have you looked at Mike? Haha
What do you like most about the program?
The results were immediately noticeable. Prior to buying the book, I was like every other meathead in the gym. Overtraining and spending 2.5hr, 6 days a week in the gym and getting nowhere. So following the program that allowed me to spend only 1hr in the gym and make the gains that I have was easy!
How does this program compare with others you’ve tried?
Well considering I was only ever on my own program for exercise, I’d say there is no comparison. As for dieting I had already had a good grasp on that. I did read a book on counting macros, I forget the name of it but I tossed the book, it pretty much just taught me if I wanted to be shredded I had to start in counting macros and slowly ween myself off carbs ’til I was pretty much in ketosis, which is bullshit.
I even wrote the author an email telling him how underwhelmed I was with his literature and that he was wrong. Mike’s book really just validated what I had already learned about dieting, and also taught me how to set my daily caloric goals for the day more accurately. The book I guess offered a small course correction in this regard.
How has what you’ve achieved with your body changed other areas of your life?
ALL OF THE ABOVE! I have never had this much confidence. I look for a reason to take my shirt off now hahaha.
Who would you recommend this program to and why?
I recommend it to anyone who will listen to me. It’s like my Bible and I am the preacher, spreading the good word of Mike Mathews haha.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
All I can say is weight loss takes time and discipline. Stick with it, hold yourself accountable, and don’t get discouraged because you have been working at it for a month and see little progress. You didn’t become overweight overnight and you won’t get lean overnight either. It’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle and you need to accept that. Stick with, count your macros, eat only healthy food, and once your insulin resistance comes down then you will start making good progress.
Don’t do it for anyone else but yourself. And if you are someone who was like me who found happiness in eating bad food, find another happy zone. Lock your inner fat kid in a cage and don’t let him out and if you do decide to let him/her out for a day to cheat make sure you lock it in again. Keep that fucker on a leash. If I can do it, anyone can do it.
Did you use any Legion supplements?
I have never bought supplements from Legion. I use only 3 and I am will begin to source only one from Legion since I read Beyond Bigger Leaner Stronger. That is collagen and maybe the omega 3 supplement. Besides collagen, I use vitamin D and a desiccated beef organ supplement. I find it a much better multivitamin that is far more bioavailable and it also coincides with my carnivore diet as well.
Want to become a success story too? Here’s how he did it
The program that made this transformation possible:
The meal plan that makes building muscle and losing fat easy and enjoyable:
If you enjoyed this article, get weekly updates. It’s free.
Sending…
Great! You’re subscribed.
100% Privacy. We don’t rent or share our email lists.
You May Also Like
Our Most Popular Evidence-Based Articles
Our 100% “It’s-On-Us” Money-Back Guarantee
No matter what you decide to buy, you’re always protected by our ironclad, 100% money-back guarantee that works like this:
If you don’t absolutely love our stuff for whatever reason, you get a prompt and courteous refund. No forms to fill out or hoops to jump through.
That means you can say “yes” now and decide later. You really have nothing to lose.
Free Worldwide Shipping & Returns
Many companies use shipping and handling fees to increase their profit margins, but here at Legion, we hate profits so our shipping is 100% free!
Okay, we do dig on profits, but we also go in for happy customers, and free shipping works like gangbusters.
So, if you live in the United States, your order ships free regardless of order size, and if you live anywhere else, your order ships free when it’s over $199.
Why the restriction on international orders? Unfortunately, shipping abroad is very expensive, and if we didn’t require a minimum order size, we’d lose a lot of money.
That said, as most international customers spend about $200 with us each time they shop, this setup is a win-win.
And no matter what you decide to buy, you’re always protected by our ironclad, 100% money-back guarantee that works like this:
If you don’t absolutely love our stuff for whatever reason, you get a prompt and courteous refund. No forms to fill out or hoops to jump through.
That means you can say “yes” now and decide later. You really have nothing to lose.
Clinically Effective Doses
Great ingredients aren’t enough to make a great product—you also need correct doses.
That’s why we use the exact doses of every ingredient that have safely produced the desired benefits in peer-reviewed studies.
Made in USA
Where your supplements are made matters, because rules and regulations regarding quality and purity differ from country to country.
And if you want to ensure the supplements you’re swallowing every day are safe and effective, you want products produced in the USA.
That’s why all of our supplements are made in America in NSF-certified and FDA-inspected facilities that operate in accordance with the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations.
We pay a premium to work with the best manufacturers in the country, but it’s the only way we can also produce the best all-natural sports supplements.
Lab Tested
Did you know that studies have shown that many supplements contain dangerously high levels of toxins like lead, arsenic, and cadmium?
Not ours.
Every ingredient of every supplement we produce is tested for heavy metals, microbes, allergens, and other contaminants to ensure they meet the strict purity standards set by the FDA.
Naturally Sweetened & Flavored
While artificial sweeteners may not be as dangerous as some people claim, studies suggest that regular consumption of these chemicals may indeed be harmful to our health and that more research is needed.
That’s why all of our supplements are naturally sweetened and flavored and contain no artificial food dyes, fillers, or other unnecessary junk.
Science-Backed Ingredients & Doses
Unlike some supplement companies, we don’t sell dubious white labeled or off-the-shelf formulations.
Instead, our custom and unique formulations are the result of extensive reviews of the scientific literature to discover the most effective ingredients for each.
Split your entire online purchase into 4 interest-free payments, over 6 weeks with no impact to your credit.
25%
today
25%
2 weeks
25%
4 weeks
25%
6 weeks
Shop and add items to your cart as normal!
Choose Sezzle at Checkout! You’ll be redirected to Sezzle to Sign Up or Log In
to complete your order.
Your order will be shipped out right away* and your payments will be split up
over 6 weeks.
*shipping times subject to merchant shipping policy
Shop directory. Reschedule payments. Plus more!
Waiver and Release of Liability
In consideration of the services and/or products offered by Legion Athletics, Inc. (“Legion”) including, but not limited to, nutrition plans, exercise routines and coaching, and in addition to the payment of any fee or charge:
I knowingly and voluntarily enter into this waiver and release of liability and hereby waive any and all rights, claims or causes of action of any kind whatsoever arising out of my use of Legion’s services and/or products, and I hereby release and hold harmless Legion and its consultants, officers, contractors, agents, owners and employees from any and all responsibility, liability, cost and expenses, including for injuries, damages or disorders (physical, metabolic, or otherwise), resulting from my use of Legion’s services and/or products.
I understand that fitness activities including, but not limited to, strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular exercise, with or without the use of equipment, are potentially hazardous activities that involve a risk of injury and even death, and I am voluntarily participating in these activities and using equipment and machinery with knowledge of the risks involved. I hereby agree to assume and accept any and all risks of injury or death related to said fitness activities.
I understand Legion’s services and products are not meant to treat or manage any health conditions or circumstances, and I acknowledge that Legion has recommended I obtain a healthcare provider’s approval for my use of Legion’s services and/or products, through regular physical examination(s) and/or consultation. I acknowledge that I have obtained my healthcare provider’s approval or have decided to use Legion’s services and/or products without such approval and hereby assume all responsibility for my use of said services and/or products.
I understand that results from using Legion’s products and/or services are not guaranteed, and I agree to not hold Legion liable for any outcomes or lack thereof.
OUT OF STOCK
Security Check
Please click the checkbox below. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Fact Checked
Our scientific review board of nutritionists, dietitians, molecular biologists, doctors, and other accredited experts is responsible for reviewing every article, podcast, and video we produce to ensure they’re evidence based, accurate, trustworthy, and current.
Thanks to their connections, credentials, and academic experience, this team of MDs, PhDs, and other professionals has access to a wealth of research published in the largest and most prestigious journals in the world.
This allows them to not only review individual studies but also analyze the overall weight of the evidence on any and all topics related to diet, exercise, supplementation, and more.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, misleading, out-of-date, or anything less than factual, please let us know in the comments section of the article in question.
Evidence Based
We follow a detailed, rigorous, multi-step process to create content that meets the highest standards of clarity, practicality, and scientific integrity.
First, our research associates provide our editorial team with accurate, up-to-date, proven scientific evidence.
Then, our editorial team uses this research to draft articles and outlines for podcasts and videos.
Finally, our scientific review board reviews the content to ensure all key information and claims are backed by high-quality scientific research and explained simply and precisely.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, misleading, out-of-date, or anything less than factual, please let us know in the comments section of the article in question.
