Ex-Marine Mike, Goes From Wheelchair & 300lbs to Fitter Than He Was in the Military episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 8, 2026 · 43 MIN

Ex-Marine Mike, Goes From Wheelchair & 300lbs to Fitter Than He Was in the Military

from Built For More · host Simon Johnson

Mike served five years in the Marines. He was deployed to Afghanistan. He got hit by an IED.When he got out, his body fell apart. Within six months he'd gained 60 pounds. Old injuries caught up with him. He ended up in a wheelchair for seven months showering outside with a hose because he couldn't get upstairs.At his heaviest he was over 300 pounds.Today, he's more muscular, more capable, and more fit than he was in the Marine Corps. His son asked for a pull-up bar for Christmas because he saw his dad doing pull-ups. His wife calls his biceps her emotional support biceps. And last week he hit the pavement for a morning run at 7am, birds singing, 30 seconds faster than the week before.This is one of the most powerful conversations I've ever had on this podcast.We talk about:What life really looks like when you leave the military and nobody tells you what comes nextHow Mike went from wheelchair to losing 70 poundsThe mindset of a man who never missed a session, even working night shifts with three kidsWhy the scales stopped mattering, and what he focuses on insteadHow getting in shape changed his kidsWhat lead, protect and provide really means when you're a fatherIf you need a kick up the ass today, this is it.📲 Apply for coaching → https://forms.gle/RBKcgoazqTzaLkCF8📲 Follow me on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/simonjohnsonfitness/

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jun 8, 2026

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Ex-Marine Mike, Goes From Wheelchair & 300lbs to Fitter Than He Was in the Military

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