How I Lost 120 Pounds (PART 1)

In this solo episode of Ashes to Architects, Brian gets brutally honest about a chapter of his life that shaped everything that came after: being “the fat kid,” becoming “the fat guy,” and finally deciding to change.At his heaviest, Brian was around 320 pounds with a 46-inch waist, smoking a pack a day, eating like trash, and avoiding the gym out of pure embarrassment. But the turning point wasn’t a miracle plan or some perfect motivational wave — it was a simple decision to put himself in an environment that would force him to learn.Instead of pretending he already knew what to do, Brian got a job at a health club. Not because he was fit — because he wanted to become the kind of person who was. That move created proximity, structure, and accountability. And once he started, everything began to compound.He talks about:Why “identity” can trap you (and how to rewrite it)The real reason consistency becomes easier over timeHow the smallest changes (like cutting soda) can create massive momentumThe underrated power of routines that feel rewarding (yes… even the post-workout shower)Why making positive changes can trigger weird reactions from people around you — and how to handle it with graceThe difference between a temporary “diet” and a true lifestyle shiftWhat it means to become a “higher version” of yourself — and why the old version can’t take you where you want to goThis episode is for anyone who feels stuck in an identity they didn’t choose — and needs a practical, grounded reminder that you don’t have to overhaul your life overnight… you just have to start.If you got something from this, please subscribe, share, and leave a rating. It helps more than I can explain.