This archive report was first published on 9 September 2019.
At 21, Taylor Weller was a 'slightly overweight, under-muscled' individual with little athletic background. He got into mixed martial arts to test his limits, and after the first grueling training session, he was hooked.
However, his under-muscled physique and poor eating habits left him prone to injuries. He suffered from femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), a condition that caused severe hip pain, forcing his wife to tie his shoes in the morning due to his inability to bend over.
After surgery to correct the condition, Weller thought his competitive days were over. But he knew he needed to find a way to stay in shape and get stronger. He started training with his dad, a former Crossfit competitor, who introduced him to weightlifting and kettlebell workouts.
Weller's approach shifted from pushing himself to exhaustion to paying attention to his body's signals. He started with deadlifting and squats, and incorporated bench press exercises. He also experimented with intermittent fasting, eating healthy food, and allowing himself occasional treats like burgers and pizza.
As he progressed, Weller noticed significant gains, including a 225-pound bench press and a 405-pound deadlift. He added 15 pounds to his body weight in just five months.
But the most profound changes were mental. Weller became a more confident person, less anxious in social situations, and happier overall. He credits his progress to starting small, being consistent, and making a serious effort to improve.
