Where I Was

My breakfast used to be (and I have witnesses that can verify with horror) 1-2 frosted iced honeybuns and a Mr. Pibb.  Typically, the rest of the day included burgers, fries, sodas (usually 2-3 cans a day), pizza, ice cream, and I pretty much owned all chip companies.  Even to this day, I dig me some chips.  Mmmmm, starchy, salty carbs.  My favorite was dinner, in which I typically put away a full size bag of chips while “deciding” what to eat for dinner.  You see, I knew I was going to eat an entire frozen pizza but I acted like I didn’t know what I wanted so I would have an excuse to snack on the chips.

I did alot of sitting, and alot of watching TV…. but a whole lot more of playstation.  One night, I threw an interception playing Madden. Being upset, I threw the controller, and when I went to pick it up, I looked down and my feet were nowhere in site. I saw my belly and asked, “Where did this thing come from?” I was closing in at almost 300 lbs.

That was my “moment”.  I had to do something about it.  This wasn’t me.  All of a sudden, I felt like I didn’t even know who I was.  Enough was enough.  I actually jumped on the “New Year Bandwagon” in 2003.  I was going on vacation that Summer and I set a goal of 50 lbs by the time I was going to leave.

I smoked it!  75 lbs in 6 months!  Boom goes the dynamite!  (I love that phrase). 

Since then, I have dropped another 30 lbs and have kept it off for years.  So, grab a calculator… no seriously, grab one because that’s what I had to do and I don’t want you to make me feel stupid.  That’s over 100 lbs lost (105 total).  If a stubborn guy like me can make a transformation, so can you.

Why I Do What I Do

I wanted to help people so bad as a fitness trainer, that I once held 5 jobs as I put together my client base using nothing but business cards and word-of-mouth advertising.  I’ve been there, I know how you feel.  Starting at the gym, brand new to fitness, can be intimidating.  I know I was intimidated.  But know that I was once there, just like many other people.

Although I tried being the “jack-of-all-fitness-trades” trainer, I started to get burned out.   I didn’t get excited helping someone with their golf game.  I would help them, but it didn’t get me excited like getting with a full-time mom that only has 3 days a week to work out and needs to lose 30 lbs so she can keep up with her kids.  That’s why I do this.  Watching someone lose the last 5 lbs is just as invigorating as watching someone lose 70 lbs.  It never gets old.  I love helping people lose fat, so that’s why I decided to specialize in fat loss and to refer people who want to improve their tennis game to other trainers.

My Mission

I have had 3 certifications including a certification as a fitness nutrition coach.  The one that excites me the most is that I’m Turbulence Training certified.  It’s a specialization in fat loss certification that has a huge mission… to transform 1,000,000 lives (that’s really fun if you say that Dr. Evil style by the way) by the year 2020.  I’m going to be part of it, starting with YOU.  I’m on a blazing mission to transform lives.  I find that losing  just 5lbs can give you a better outlook on life, which can better your attitude and perception, in which you can inspire others.  That is what I call a transformation.  And I’m going to do my part through this website and my training at my gym.

What You Heard About Me

I’ve been in the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, AJC. com, the West Cobber Magazine and most recently, I was mentioned on the Mens Health Blog.  My clients have made me who I am, allowing me to experiment with different methods to see what works and what doesn’t work. My family means more to me than anything else, and I’ve been a Dad since January of 2011.  My son’s name is Champ (what can I say?… my wife rocks!)  I’m a beloved Carolina Panthers fan, and that doesn’t mean you can’t work with me   I have 3 pets (2 cats named Carolina and Panther, and a black lab named Charlotte… told you I was a Carolina Panthers fan).  I love what I do.

Please use my blog to help you reach your goals.  You can do this.  All you have to do is crank on your mind, body and spirit… and keep it running.  Never give up.

Mike Whitfield (AKA “Mikey”), CFT, CFNC, CTT

Crank Training