EPISODE 075 | There’s More Fuel in the Tank than We Realize: Lessons About Human Transformation
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This episode is about turning mental and physical challenges into not only a full body transformation, but a whole human transformation and what made that transformation possible from the ground up.
Guest Dustin Rochester, a dad and healthcare IT consultant from Williamston, South Carolina, opens up about losing 130 pounds in a year - what it was like at his heaviest and what his wake up calls were - one personal and one professional - that sparked his motivation to change. Dustin tells us about how he had to get tough on himself and also gives us the exact tangible steps he took to lose the weight, start getting more physically active, and find and embrace an activity - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - that is aligned with his passion. Specifically, we talk about the Keto diet, adapting a diet as physical needs change, and learning lessons about success through momentum, goals, and a healthy relationship with food and yourself.
We compare Dustin’s old self care routine to his new one that he’s grown into now and dive into how clear self worth has translated into a healthier lifestyle and better relationships.
This wasn’t an easy or fast journey for Dustin, which he’s still on in many ways. It took a lot of hard work, determination, and even soul searching. A key takeaway is that losing physical weight isn’t just about losing physical weight. For Dustin, it was also about managing stress, changing habits, and finding parts of himself and befriending those parts so what was on the inside could surface.
Before Dustin’s transformation at 370 lbs.
After Dustin’s mental, emotional, and physical transformation at 240 lbs.
Episode Highlights
Dustin, taking home gold in Spring 2021 in a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournament.
Getting to know Dustin
Dustin describes the complications of life at his heaviest weight - 370 lbs, and how much weight he’s lost
What the number one cause of weight gain was for Dustin
What caused stress in Dustin’s life
The issues stress exacerbated
Dustin’s personal health wake up call
How food and eating for comfort as self care added to the negative cycle
Loving yourself the way you are while still wanting to make changes for a healthier lifestyle
Understanding your value and worth to yourself and those you love
Holding yourself accountable for what you’re lacking
How relationships weakened when self worth weakened, but also how they helped Dustin understand his value
Dustin’s professional wake up call - lives were in the balance - that helped him understand his worth
The mindset shift and it’s importance in overcoming body challenges and progressing transformation
Getting real and raw with yourself
The importance of accountability and an accountability partner
Dustin’s relationship with food now - eating for fuel
How to still celebrate with food when you’re no longer in a toxic relationship with it
Getting rid of guilt
Emotional fulfillment from another source
The power of habit
Tangible steps Dustin took to make physical changes
Gaining clarity - a catalyst for change
Medical intervention, if needed
Cleaning up diet - Dustin stuck to the Keto diet and got results
Becoming addicted to the success and keeping momentum
Gradually starting physical activity
Getting off of medications - weaning off of Adderal, blood pressure medication, and antidepressants
Getting through the anxiety and physical side effects of withdrawal
The sustainability of fad diets and how Dustin has adjusted his diet after the initial weight loss
Dustin’s re-emergence back into hiking
How Dustin got his start in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu during a chance meeting at Wal-Mart
Dealing with being out of shape when getting back into intense physical activity
A typical weekly Jiu Jitsu schedule for Dustin now
Impact on confidence, goals, and career
Dustin’s self care routine now
Relationship lessons from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Best advice for making such a huge change for your health
Dustin’s recommended reading
Bonus!!
Check out these videos of Dustin’s competitive Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournament fights that he mentioned throughout the episode.
New Breed Greenville, SC fight where Dustin took gold.
New Breed Greenville, SC fight where Dustin also took gold against a man even taller than him!
About Dustin
Dustin Rochester is as single dad to teenage girls, a healthcare IT consultant, an avid Brazilian Jui Jitsu athlete, and he’s lost 130 pounds within a year. He’s gained some back from muscle because after meeting his weight loss goal, he’s been maintaining an athletes level of activity while pursuing his active passions. He also enjoys reading self improvement books, watching anime, and time to decompress when needed.
He currently lives in Williamston, South Carolina.
Links
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
No More Mr. Nice Guy by Robert Glover
Carb Manager App (for Keto)
My Fitness Pal (for calorie tracking)
5K runner to do a Couch to 5K
Impact Theory podcast
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