This is Christopher Gloyd’s story in his own words:

313 lbs and 43 percent body fat – those are the numbers I remember, the numbers that started it all.

Those numbers made me decide it was time for a change – that I needed to leave the lifestyle of pizza almost every day, exclusively drinking Dr. Pepper and the feeling dread upon waking up behind me.

When you live an unhealthy lifestyle, you get hit with these moments when you realize you’re not healthy enough to do the things you used to be able to do. These moments add up. I hit a point where I was so depressed that I didn’t want to do anything. I would wake up, go to school, go home, do nothing.

Inactivity, stress and poor eating habits took their toll on my mental and physical health and I realized I needed to figure out how to get out of this state.

The man I was with those numbers is not the same man I am today. I am healthier, both physically and mentally, no longer hindered by self-shame. I am comfortable taking pictures with my shirt off, or in general for that matter, and am always up for going outside and doing physical activities.

I say, “Nah, that’s too far, let’s just drive,” far less often and say, “Let’s go!” far more. My confidence in myself is at an all-time high.

My trainer, Erwin “Erweezy,” was the driving force behind my transformation. From the moment I signed on at GoodLife, Erwin and the rest of the crew made me feel welcomed. I didn’t know how close I would become to these guys, as well as other members at the facility. These people became a workout family to me, and that sense of family made me want to go to the club.

Having a trainer is a serious commitment. If you stop showing up or you start cheating too much on your diet, you're not only letting yourself down but also your trainer. Your trainer becomes your best friend as you work together towards the goal of a better and healthier you.

Erwin taught me everything from working with equipment to creating effective workout routines, eating properly, the importance of macros, the number of calories I should allocate daily and what to avoid and what to look for when buying groceries. It is easy to look up workouts and diets, but having access to a trainer is access to knowledge that is going to benefit you and your body type.

One goal I had going into this journey was to complete a 10km mud run. With Erwin training me, we accomplished that goal! He even ran it with me. This year I am signed up for a 5K, 10K and 20K Trifecta, and I don’t plan on stopping!

In one year, I was able to lose 73 lbs and the pounds continue to drop. I am stronger, leaner, more confident and I’ve earned my new gym nickname Canadian Thor.