How finance saved and gave me a life
mod note (Andy): this was originally posted on 5/19/12
A week or two ago there was an article written about how your weight might inversely effect you during the hiring process. During the conversation I dropped some personal information about me losing 130 (now 135 pounds). I was PM’d by somebody asking me to tell my story. Well I have some free time and this story actually ties in to finance. So here we go!
I have always been large. I am 6’3 and hovered around 300 pounds. I was very active in football and weightlifting but I’d love to eat. My entire family is large so healthy living was unknown to me it was living. I wasn’t the best football player but I was getting attention from so mid-tier schools in Texas. I was popular and had no serious problems with my body image but no girlfriends.
Well one day in fall 2002 I went to a Best Buy to buy a new device called a DVD player. They were closing but let me in anyway. What happened after that changed my entire future. When I left the store I was involved in an “incident”. All of the soft tissue in my left knee was shredded and I was in the hospital for a week. I was out for the rest of the football season and unable to play ever again. I sank into a deep depression and just became just a big negative Nelly. Well I trained to become a Marine (even with one bad knee I could get approval). The Marines fell through also and I went into a deep dark hole and gained 150 lbs through college.
I cannot explain the self hatred I had for myself. It was a viscous cycle. I ate because I was depressed and was depressed because I lost control of my life and body. I would actually skip classes because I could not fit comfortable in the seats. Well this were finance helped changed my life back.
My finance professor called me to his desk and said he could tell I loved investments. After a little conversation about my goals he handed me a book called “The Intelligent Investor”. When I read it I knew exactly what I wanted to do. My life had purpose a direction. I could see myself in a nice suit making big investment decisions in some corner office. I wanted to be a PM. That coupled with a crush I had on a very special smart/ smart-ass girl was all the motivation I needed.
I adopted a rule that I called the “Nutritious and Delicious Rule”. I could eat anything I wanted if it was nutritious and delicious. I stuck to that rule no matter how much I craved Pizza (Delicious but not nutritious). I also watched my portions by using smaller plates. It was still a struggle but I wanted to be healthy and fit.
On the exercise front I researched High Intensity Interval Workouts (HIIW). So every morning I would do HIIW and a small circuit of free weights at my home gym. I could see myself getting fit as my intervals got longer and I could go harder. I felt great!!!
My overall goal was to get healthy to live a healthy life. When people asked me, “How is the diet?” I answered that it’s not a diet just eating right. As a side effect of my healthy living I began to lose weight. It just melted off I couldn’t buy clothes fast enough!!! Also, with the time a dedication EVERYTHING became easier. I didn’t want unhealthy foods their smell would ruin my appetite. I needed to work out my body would demand it. It was just so damn easy after 4 months of hell.
Losing this weight has been the greatest thing ever and I am still not done. Still I feel absolutely amazing and wear great suits and casual clothes every day. Also the ladies began to flirt which was something I never really exp. When I was losing all the weight girls began noticing me and I became very popular and a ladies’ man. However, one girl noticed me and took a strange interest in me. I had a crush on here since I met her. She was a PHD (PSY) student at Texas. We met through friends and after seeing me struggle not to eat a burger she used me in one of her research papers about obesity. We ended up dating and now we have been married for 3 months!
So choosing finance saved my life and gave me a life. I lost my old man to a heart attack and I don’t want history to repeat itself. I won’t stop till I’m 215. I plan on being Captain America for Halloween so that’s my goal.
Peace out WSO and thanks







Great post man, congrats I
Great post man, congrats I really hope you land a good gig soon. Someone like you def deserves it. If i were in the position to help I would and give SB if I had but i don't.
I love when people redeem
I love when people redeem themselves. I had a knee injury as well, and people don't understand how fucked up your brain becomes without exercise and a goal. I read "Trading for Dummies" while on disability, and that's what got me going. I also read that John Mack had an injury that took him out of sports/military as well, so maybe it's for the best. You're a bit ahead of me with regaining your health (I took up drinking and smoking, still recovering) so this is an inspiration.
Good luck man, I really wish you the best and if you're in NYC, hit me up and we'll get drinks....lite beer works for me.
YOU JUST GOT TROLLED
http://www.troll.me/images/red-foreman322/dont-you...
TheKid1: Great post man,
Great post man, congrats I really hope you land a good gig soon. Someone like you def deserves it. If i were in the position to help I would and give SB if I had but i don't.
Thanks man that means a lot. I'll give ya one. We are a group here and we get stronger the more we share our own exp in life and finance (sometimes they mix).
Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.- JFK
UFOinsider: I love when
I love when people redeem themselves. I had a knee injury as well, and people don't understand how fucked up your brain becomes without exercise and a goal. I read "Trading for Dummies" while on disability, and that's what got me going. I also read that John Mack had an injury that took him out of sports/military as well, so maybe it's for the best. You're a bit ahead of me with regaining your health (I took up drinking and smoking, still recovering) so this is an inspiration.
Good luck man, I really wish you the best and if you're in NYC, hit me up and we'll get drinks....lite beer works for me.
UFO its a date btw I might need a place to crash :) Yeah knee injuries are hard to over come physically and mentally. I tore my meniscus (same knee) last September and I still walk with a limp if I sit longer than an hour. Also, havent golfed since July as I am worried the torgue might re-tear it. When I saw the doctor he looked at me and said , "Hey big guy (I HATE THAT) you need to drop some weight" I laughed because he had no idea.
Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.- JFK
Injuries suck. I was sort of
Injuries suck. I was sort of like you (not weight wise), but I played soccer all my life and skied. Tore my MCL senior year of soccer (out for the season).I recovered with hopes of college soccer which highly dictated which school I ended up going to. Turns out, blew out my entire knee again skiing (same one) and had surgery. As a result, fired from my job and was very depressed. Recovered again, preseason in college I tore my meniscus in the same knee again. Had a surgery (go to school 1500 miles away from home) which was really tough with school. Couldn't walk on my own for nearly a month and earned terrible marks (2.6). Got better; following summer, tore my meniscus again in summer league while preparing for fall college soccer.
Sounds terrible, but as a result, I said fuck soccer. Since that year when my cum. GPA was 2.9 and had my scholarship revoked and then cut after appeal, have been getting 3.8s and hopefully on my way to finding an IB job next summer after I graduate.
Sometimes the worst things in life are really a blessing in disguise. Great story man. +1
Regards.
"History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme."
paulydreamer: UFOinsider: I
I love when people redeem themselves. I had a knee injury as well, and people don't understand how fucked up your brain becomes without exercise and a goal. I read "Trading for Dummies" while on disability, and that's what got me going. I also read that John Mack had an injury that took him out of sports/military as well, so maybe it's for the best. You're a bit ahead of me with regaining your health (I took up drinking and smoking, still recovering) so this is an inspiration.
Good luck man, I really wish you the best and if you're in NYC, hit me up and we'll get drinks....lite beer works for me.
UFO its a date btw I might need a place to crash :) Yeah knee injuries are hard to over come physically and mentally. I tore my meniscus (same knee) last September and I still walk with a limp if I sit longer than an hour. Also, havent golfed since July as I am worried the torgue might re-tear it. When I saw the doctor he looked at me and said , "Hey big guy (I HATE THAT) you need to drop some weight" I laughed because he had no idea.
Man, avoid anything that's going to set you back: IMO, sitting through more PE will do more damage to your career than skipping golf. Let me know ahead of time if you're out this way so I can line up a buddy's couch for you to crash on, I only work in NYC and commute, but yeah it's a date....no homo.
YOU JUST GOT TROLLED
http://www.troll.me/images/red-foreman322/dont-you...
@Streetwannabe I really do
@Streetwannabe
I really do think it was a gift now. At the time I hated my life. I loved football and would of had a full ride at some semi-target (no idea what that was at the time) now I was working 60 hours a week to pay tution at a non-target and raise my bros. Still, everyday I get to see my wife I know I came out on top (I hope she reads that lol)
Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.- JFK
paulydreamer: @Streetwannabe
@Streetwannabe
I really do think it was a gift now. At the time I hated my life. I loved football and would of had a full ride at some semi-target (no idea what that was at the time) now I was working 60 hours a week to pay tution at a non-target and raise my bros. Still, everyday I get to see my wife I know I came out on top (I hope she reads that lol)
I agree, if you're motivated by one thing that is taken away, you'll usually find something else to fill the void. In my case, I think it was a better thing since anyone could see that playing soccer in college is not really a long term life plan.
"History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme."
streetwannabe: paulydreamer
@Streetwannabe
I really do think it was a gift now. At the time I hated my life. I loved football and would of had a full ride at some semi-target (no idea what that was at the time) now I was working 60 hours a week to pay tution at a non-target and raise my bros. Still, everyday I get to see my wife I know I came out on top (I hope she reads that lol)
I agree, if you're motivated by one thing that is taken away, you'll usually find something else to fill the void. In my case, I think it was a better thing since anyone could see that playing soccer in college is not really a long term life plan.
Yes, I had a big hole in me when I lost football. In Texas HS football is religion and I actually was a big part of it. I filled the hole up with food but when I found finance it filled the void and had some serious postiive side effects on my life.
Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.- JFK
Wow, absolutely awesome! Mad
Wow, absolutely awesome! Mad props to you. +1
Anacott_CEO: Wow, absolutely
Wow, absolutely awesome! Mad props to you. +1
It is awesome how easy it is after you get over the hump. It really helps your confindence aswell, I was shy now I don't shy away from being a leader.
Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.- JFK
Congratulations! being fit is
Congratulations! being fit is definitely one of the best confidence/self-esteem boosters.
OP post your workout with
OP post your workout with your meal plan
|| But feeling good and enjoying life are prerequisites to success, not by products of it- Midas Mulligan Magoo ||
I gained 15 kg this year and
I gained 15 kg this year and your post inspired me a little.
thanks
Good to hear OP. Had a
Good to hear OP. Had a similar catastrophic event while in college that really sent me into a spiral. But after deep reflection and a refocused mindset, it very much became a blessing in disguise. Besides the daily pain in my knee, I am still very thankful for what happened even though it seemed horrific at the time
go.with.the.flow: OP post
Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.- JFK
YE777: I gained 15 kg this
Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.- JFK
I totally feel this story, it
See my WSO Blog
madmoney15: I totally feel
Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.- JFK
Good stuff, Pauly. With that
"Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a Champion" - Muhammad Ali
Great post, congrats on
jgx101: Great post, congrats
"History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme."
tl;dr
amen brother. finance is the
Don't take this the wrong
You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist. - Friedrich Nietzsche
Hooked on LEAPS: Don't take
YE777: Hooked on
You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist. - Friedrich Nietzsche
Amazing story OP! SB'd
Wait, so... What do you weigh
Wow I made it to main WSO!
Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.- JFK
This is the kind os story I
Maximus Decimus
Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.- JFK
SB'd, awesome post...just as
I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.
I'd like to echo what
Howard Schwartz
See my WSO blog
I wasnt expecting this kind
Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.- JFK
twobitpirate: amen brother.
Eventus stultorum magister.
the kids that post on this
Great story, thanks for
mdk6c: the kids that post on
YOU JUST GOT TROLLED
http://www.troll.me/images/red-foreman322/dont-you...
Great post, and congrats on
Great story! That's awesome,
xc48cross: Great story!
Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.- JFK
Congratulations man!
I too was fat as a child and
Thanks for sharing this. We
Nice story! Kind of funny how
Very nice work PaulyDreamer!
~~ Fortune favours the brave ~~
My WSO Blog
Great story!