The Reboot Project: Tim’s Hero Experience

Phone buzzing. It’s my friend Chris messaging me: “Bro, I just met a guy! I gotta connect you two!”

Chris is a Marine Veteran and the epitome of what it means to be a Veteran. Being the locked-in friend that he is, Chris knew my situation. I was unemployed, overweight, and a career alcoholic. I was surrounded by people who loved me unconditionally for who I was, not what I was. The sad part was, I didn’t have that same feeling for myself.

I decided to connect with this guy Chris mentioned, Bryan Bush. I had never heard of him or the project he was working on. Bryan and I talked about my capabilities as a graphic designer and how I could possibly help with his project. After a few conversations, I agreed to help out with some t-shirt designs for The Reboot Project.

After several iterations of designs and numerous conversations with Bryan, a tiny flicker of something started to smolder deep inside my consciousness. I started to think about what this project, The Reboot Project, was all about. I had read all the material before, but from a graphic design and marketing standpoint. I was trying to understand it from the perspective of a potential candidate, investor, or average person looking from the outside in. Then I re-read the mission statement from a new perspective: me.

It was then I realized that not only did I fit the criteria for this program, but I felt it could actually work for me. I had enrolled in some other Veterans groups in the past—one-hit wonders, as I called them. I even tried to hike the Ice Age Trail in Wisconsin, over 1,200 miles, but it was a bust. I was unprepared in every way imaginable. Honestly, I can’t believe it didn’t turn out worse after that attempt.

The Reboot Project is a different animal altogether. Starting with the founder, Bryan. He is as passionate about this program as humanly possible, as is every person involved from the very beginning. Bryan and I had long discussions about what committing to this program meant, what the potential for a better life could bring, and the power of the group of people involved. The intentional change was evident and persistent. The change would happen within me, around me, and about me.

I was a heavy drinker. When I say “heavy,” I mean that in every sense of the word. I was about 70 pounds overweight, and my drink of choice was Jack Daniels every single night. Usually, I drank to black-out status or close to it. Multiply that by every night since 2006, and it’s enough to buy a small island and retire if invested properly. Not to mention the calories—from Jack, sodas, snacks, candy, or basically anything not nailed down in the cupboard. Late-night snacking coupled with heavy drinking adds up fast.

Unhealthy is a word thrown around these days like “heavy set” or “husky.” I remember looking in the mirror one day, shirtless and fresh out of the shower, hung over like death had his hand on my shoulder. I was trying to get ready for work when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I was disgusted, angry at myself for being so weak. I flipped myself off and, through the foggy bit of mirror I could still see my eyes in, I realized I didn’t even recognize myself. Who was this sloppy disappointment staring back?

I used to be a skateboarder. I used to race mountain bikes. I used to ride snowboards. I used to… fill in the blank. I couldn’t physically do these things anymore, and I was sick of it. Talking to Bryan made me realize that I could change things. I could make myself be that dude again. Why not? Why was I giving up? The fire was smoldering but not out inside me.

I discussed The Reboot Project with my wife. I explained what I wanted to do, and not only did she think it was an amazing opportunity, but she decided to do it with me like the true partner she is.

We meal planned. We developed a structured exercise program that reinforced our nutrition goals. Most importantly, we quit drinking. Cold turkey. We started walking daily and lifting weights. The first week was kind of weird. The second week was like, “OK, we’re actually doing this.” By the third week, I was talking with my fitness coach, Derek, and realized I had lost 15 pounds. Results. No gimmicks, no shortcuts, just results.

While working with Derek, I was also working with a life coach named Suzette. She’s a kind and understanding person with a very direct way of cutting through the noise to get to what really matters. The focus of our conversations was how to better my life by setting goals, writing them down, and committing to them. Accountability is a huge factor, and you cannot half-ass it. Whole-ass or nothing.

Once I committed to The Reboot Project, I made a promise: full send on everything involving this program. Just like many things in life, you get what you put in—and I put in 100%. In return, I lost 50 pounds (and counting). I can walk five miles like it’s nothing. I can mountain bike without being wrecked afterward. And best of all, I got back on the skateboard and even landed some tricks. Older and more fragile, sure, but still a skater at heart.

If you’re reading this and you’re on the fence about whether or not to make a change in your life for the better, let me tell you this: this program will make you a better person. It will open doors you thought were closed long ago and help you get your confidence back.

I feel like a kid again when I move around. I can keep up with my teenagers and even outpace them at times. That’s huge compared to a year ago when I was breathing hard from eating too fast.

So be intentional. Be disruptive. Be energized to get up daily. Be there for the other people in your life.

Get Rebooted.