“My goal now is to be a little bit better every day” - Sam’s story

Sam had spent most of his adult life putting his health on the back burner. A diet filled with fast food, regular drinking, and little understanding or guidance around how to live healthy made the idea of a balanced lifestyle feel out of reach.

So when his girlfriend, Clara, suggested they complete the Freeletics Transformation Challenge together, Sam agreed. He had no idea at the time how much this decision would change his life and reconnect him with both his body and mind. Here’s his story:

“I was in denial about the state of my health for a long time, but I never took any action. I had a lot of issues with healthy eating – ordering McDonald's and KFC past 9 pm once or twice a week – and casually drinking a lot.

I had no concept of calories and would argue with people about what the ‘correct’ way to get fit was. My girlfriend, Clara, suggested we do the challenge together, and I said yes because I wanted to do it with her. In reality, she changed my life by simply suggesting we do it!

My main goal for the Transformation Challenge was to start respecting myself again. I didn’t have a specific goal weight in mind, but I knew I wanted to feel connected to my body.”

“Before starting, I had so many doubts. I always told myself I couldn’t work out in the morning because it would trigger a migraine, which happened a few times when I was younger. I continued to use that as an excuse until I was 26.

I also suffered badly from health anxiety as a teenager and young adult, to the point where I believed that I had an underlying heart condition that would kill me if I raised my heart rate by running or going to the gym.

I often couldn’t fall asleep because I was so scared that I wouldn’t wake up in the morning. I ended up in the hospital multiple times, begging them to test me because I didn’t trust my doctor’s diagnosis.

Joining the challenge turned out to be the best exposure therapy for me. It helped me connect to my body and its capabilities.

I learned how hard I could push myself and got used to feeling exhausted and tired – and realized it’s okay. Not working out, or continuing in the lifestyle I had before the Transformation Challenge, would have been far worse for my health!”

“During the challenge, I never wanted to give up. It was hard – no one likes being cold early in the morning, forcing yourself to hydrate and work out, and sticking to such a controlled diet every single day with no exceptions. But the results were just too tangible to ignore.

I started to feel invincible because I had so much energy. I realized how poor my previous habits were and quickly figured out what really matters in life: my health and my ability to move my body. Friends accepted the sacrifice I made, and we just hung out without alcohol or straying from my nutrition plan, which was tasty anyway.

As a Freeletics employee, balancing work was easier since I could work out at the office. Plus, it gave me some extra motivation and support to keep going.”

“I now have a completely different relationship with my body and with food. I make better, more measured choices and feel strong and fit every single day.

People around me have been really impressed with my results and want to know how I did it. It makes me sad when I see others who could benefit but can’t join the challenge. Everyone should have the opportunity for this kind of training and education.”

“Every single aspect of my life got better since the Transformation Challenge. My sleep is better, I have zero digestive or stomach issues, my skin looks healthier, and I have more energy.

One unexpected bonus was how much my cooking has improved – I can now whip up a balanced meal from absolutely anything.”

“I noticed my social media feed has changed and now shows lots of people with sculpted bodies and gym skills, which can sometimes make me feel like I haven’t progressed enough.

I have to remind myself where I started and how far I’ve come. I can now do 13 Strict Pullups, which I’m super proud of. What I do have now is a solid foundation – proof that I have gym skills, technique, and power that I can continue to build on throughout the rest of my fitness journey.

I definitely achieved my goal, but I’m not done yet. The challenge introduced me to a world of people who care about their fitness, a world I hadn’t been part of before. My goal now is to be a little bit better every day, and to never mistreat my body again.”

“No matter where you start or how awful you feel, there is ALWAYS a way out. But no one else can do it for you – you need to take ownership of your own journey.

There’s always going to be something or someone to blame as to why you are in this state, but I found it was helpful to let go of that and just say, ‘Hey, from now on I’m in charge of this’.”