{"id":156,"date":"2023-10-10T09:22:50","date_gmt":"2023-10-10T13:22:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/iron-blog\/?p=156"},"modified":"2026-01-23T10:43:31","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T15:43:31","slug":"dad-bod-to-father-figure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/2023\/10\/10\/dad-bod-to-father-figure\/","title":{"rendered":"From Dad Bod to Father Figure"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It is paramount to use our podium when possible to promote the results of successful fitness journeys. We’ve titled this From Dad Bod to Father Figure because being a positive role model for his children was a huge factor in Anthony’s motivation.\u00a0After seeing his transformational posts on social media, we had to learn more. In the beginning, Ironmaster equipment was involved; however, as we learned more it became clear, this isn’t just an Ironmaster story, it’s an Everybody story. Anthony took the time to walk us through his recent and dramatic lifestyle changes, the challenges, and without further delay here is our brief discussion for your consideration:<\/p>\n

IM: Before we jump into the last year and a half of your journey can you give us a snapshot of how athletics and fitness fit into your life growing up, and any influences you had from others (ie. coaches, family, pro athletes)?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

AG: I grew up in a very small town in southern Massachusetts which at the time had a population of <5000 people. \u00a0 I was the youngest of 2 at that time and never really took a liking to organized sports.\u00a0 My father was not into sports at all so I never learned the basics of anything sports related and funny enough I couldn\u2019t really catch a ball until my early twenties.\u00a0 I had no idea how to really play any sports and often was picked on because I sucked at everything sports related.<\/p>\n

After my parents divorced at age 11, I fell in love with skateboarding.\u00a0 It was something I could do by myself\u00a0 and it distracted me from all that was going on at the time.\u00a0 Although I still sucked at that, I loved it, and the skate homies always show mad love to their own.\u00a0 We had a tight crew back then, it was sick.<\/p>\n

\u00a0At that time my brother, 3 years older than me, got heavy into weight training to distract him from everything at home. \u00a0 We were both small people but man he was shredded like Bruce Lee, oddly enough his name is Lee.\u00a0 I always admired him for that, so I\u2019d say he is the one that got me interested in lifting.\u00a0 He showed me what was possible if you worked hard.<\/p>\n

When I got into high school I started lifting weights in my garage.\u00a0 I got reasonable results but my nutrition was terrible.\u00a0 I continued lifting through college and put on a lot of muscle despite still having crappy nutritional habits.\u00a0 At the time it was more for selfish reasons, to impress the ladies\u2026and had nothing to do with being healthy.\u00a0 The kids of the suburbs of Boston lived off of $1 slices of pizza and sandwiches from the local sub shops, that\u2019s what we thought was good nutrition!<\/p>\n

I continued lifting all the way until I got married at the age of 30, and then I pretty much stopped going to the gym religiously and fitness took a back seat in my life for well over a decade.\u00a0 I still lifted here and there but was often injured from doing stupid shit and not taking good care of myself.<\/p>\n

IM: Let\u2019s talk about the big change you made in your life. Tell us, what was the catalyst for the change, what was going on in the world, your life, and what direction did you see it going that you didn\u2019t like?<\/b><\/p>\n

AG: I was traveling a lot for work in my 30s and anyone that travels like that knows you usually end up at lots of dinners with drinks as well as airport and hotel bars.\u00a0 When the pandemic hit my drinking just got worse and turned into a daily thing.\u00a0 It was just too easy to do and before you know it I had gained a gut and starter set of man tits.\u00a0 I never thought I\u2019d be that guy\u2026but it happened.<\/p>\n

At this point I was in my early 40s and had 2 young boys. \u00a0 I remember when they were very little I still had decent biceps and they admired those\u2026but as the years went by I got the nickname \u201cfat daddy\u201d.\u00a0 I wasn\u2019t super fat, but like I said, I had a gut and man tits!\u00a0 The name Fat Daddy straight up pissed me off..not at them, but pissed at myself for letting it get this far.<\/p>\n

I kept telling myself I was going to stop drinking but there always seemed to be some stupid excuse to carry on with it. \u00a0 There were all sorts of hints that my drinking had become excessive\u2026 smart ass comments from my wife, things my kids would say, etc. \u00a0 I knew I had an addictive personality in general, it ran in my family, but I just couldn\u2019t come to terms with it and quit.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t consider myself an alcoholic because in my mind I could quit whenever I wanted.\u00a0 I held down a really good job and kicked ass at it, how could I be an addict? \u00a0 In my mind I was just a man that liked to drink, not a man with a drinking problem.<\/p>\n

IM: How did you finally resolve to make and implement this new course of action?<\/b><\/p>\n

AG: I just finally got sick of the fact that I was only 43 but really fucking out of shape.\u00a0 I remember going to the skate park and taking some videos on my phone while I was trying to kickflip off this bank.\u00a0 It was hot out and I had my shirt off and I remember looking at that guy in the video in complete disgust.\u00a0 My gut was jiggling and titties bouncing, I was like oh HELL NO, this isn\u2019t who I am meant to be.<\/p>\n

IM: What tools, or coaches did you use? What had to give way for this to stick?<\/b><\/p>\n

AG: Well I wasn\u2019t about to go AA because I refused to believe I had an addiction problem.\u00a0 I had quit things in the past, such as cigarettes, by going cold turkey and I always knew I could do the same with alcohol.<\/p>\n

I knew I just needed accountability and through searching through YouTube videos I found this crazy ass guy, Wes Watson, who was yelling at me through the screen talking about Purpose over Pleasure, and how I drinking was for pussies, etc.\u00a0 Right then I knew I needed to hire him, or someone like him, to get my sorry ass back in line.\u00a0 I needed a drill sergeant, someone who wouldn\u2019t listen to my sorry ass excuses and wouldn\u2019t tolerate the lies that I was telling myself.<\/p>\n

So I joined his fitness\/mindset program on May 1, 2022 and it forever changed my life.\u00a0 The very next day I put down the bottle for good, cold turkey. \u00a0 I attended his weekly group calls and replaced all my bad habits with good habits.<\/p>\n

I had a set of Ironmaster Dumbbells and the Super Bench in my garage\u2026it had been there for years but was mostly covered in dust. \u00a0 I dusted it off and got to work.\u00a0 I created a daily routine of discipline where I woke up every morning and hit the weights.\u00a0 I figured there was no way in hell I could get up early and lift weights if I was drinking the night before, and it worked.<\/p>\n

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IM: How quickly did you see a change?<\/b><\/p>\n

AG: I noticed a change in energy level within a week and everything just kept getting better the longer and longer time went on.<\/p>\n

In 90 days I dropped close to 20 pounds and was ripped. \u00a0 IN fact, I was more ripped than I was ever in my life\u2026. My wife would say I was too skinny but that was because my macros were still way too aggressive and I was over training.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t care though, I needed to basically train every day to replace my bad habits with good habits\u2026 I was definitely overtraining and undereating but I felt great.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s funny, when you have an addictive personality all you have to do is make substitutions.\u00a0 Substitute the bad habits for good ones. \u00a0 You could say I\u2019m addicted to fitness\u2026 that\u2019s probably true.<\/p>\n

\"Image,<\/a>
Anthony, “After”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

IM: Was it hard to maintain?<\/b><\/p>\n

AG: Not at all.\u00a0 The big thing that hit me was that all my joint pain was gone.\u00a0 I fully believe I was just in a constant state of dehydration while I was drinking daily and that was killing my joints, making me feel at least 10 years older than I was at the time.\u00a0 I had been on the brink of getting shoulder surgery but quite frankly it rarely bothers me now. \u00a0 It\u2019s amazing how much alcohol fucks with your body, they call it poison for a reason.<\/p>\n

IM: Looking back now, what stands out significantly as a major obstacle, as well, what stands out as a significant support?<\/b><\/p>\n

AG: The major obstacle was me – I was my own worst enemy.\u00a0 Any time I felt bad, I\u2019d drink.\u00a0 Anytime I felt good, I\u2019d drink. \u00a0 It was stupid man, I didn\u2019t even realize how much of an idiot I was at the time. \u00a0 Drinking was just part of my life and it crept in without me realizing it!<\/p>\n

A lot of people think they\u2019ll lose friends if they make such drastic changes.\u00a0 I shook a few of them no doubt, but I guess they weren\u2019t real friends anyway.\u00a0 Most of my drinking buddies were fine with the changes I made to my life.\u00a0 We certainly don\u2019t hang out as much anymore but I have no problem being around people drinking.\u00a0 In fact, just last week I met up with my old boss at a bar.\u00a0 He invited me to meet him there not knowing I had quit drinking.\u00a0 At first he was like, do you mind if I drink ?\u00a0 I was like fuck no man, it\u2019s your life.\u00a0 I have no problem with it.\u00a0 I just ordered an iced tea and we chilled there for an hour or so.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t even phase me.<\/p>\n

The biggest support came from my wife, Linsie.\u00a0 When we got married I was in great shape, so she knew I could do it.\u00a0 She believed in me every step of the way and helped with my accountability. \u00a0 She is brutally honest, and for that I\u2019m forever grateful.<\/p>\n

IM: You have a home gym and a commercial gym membership. Why is that? How does the mix help?<\/b><\/p>\n

AG: The home gym was critical to get me started.\u00a0 It lowers the activation energy to fit in a workout when you have no time to get it done. \u00a0 I am a firm believer that every person should have easy access to gym equipment. \u00a0 You don\u2019t need a traditional gym nor weights.. hell you can do a lot with just body weight.\u00a0 A good set of dumbbells, a pull up bar and dip station will get you even further.<\/p>\n

The thing that pushed me into the gym was my chicken legs.\u00a0 I always had chicken legs growing up and I just figured if I\u2019m going to grow these sticks and make them tree trunks, I needed more equipment that I don\u2019t have in my home gym.\u00a0 Plus I wanted to do more power lifting too, and trying to do that at 0400 in my garage (which is under my boys\u2019 bedrooms) would disturb the whole family.. I can get loud!<\/p>\n

My garage is my home gym but I\u2019m an avid automotive enthusiast so I refuse to make the space needed for a complete home gym with a full squat rack and all that\u2026. maybe someday I\u2019ll get that bigger garage, but for now it\u2019s a multi-purpose space and I need room for all my tools, etc.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Ironmaster gear<\/a>\u00a0is still something I use often though.\u00a0 It comes in handy when I\u2019m short on time or if my wife is traveling and I can\u2019t leave my boys alone to hit the gym.\u00a0 I workout at 04:00 daily, so leaving them here alone\u00a0 while I hit the gym isn\u2019t an option as they are only 10 and 8 years old.<\/p>\n

IM: Looking forward, are there short term goals to accomplish in the next few months or year or two?<\/b><\/p>\n

AG: Yes, about 9 months ago I started\u00a0 Chopped Up Fitness which is an online coaching business.\u00a0 I know how much of an impact this has had on my life, and the life of my family.\u00a0 I just want to give back as much knowledge as I can give.\u00a0 There\u2019s so much BS and misinformation out there.\u00a0 My goal is to teach men how to fish, as they say\u2026 how to change their bad habits into ones of discipline so they can rebuild their confidence and lead their families.<\/p>\n

I know for a fact that I\u2019ve had a dramatic impact on hundreds of lives already and I\u2019m just getting started!\u00a0 I get so many messages about how my message has helped people and that keeps me going, it\u2019s so rewarding.<\/p>\n

IM: What other hobbies do you have outside of your fitness business?<\/b><\/p>\n

AG: My first love was and is skateboarding.\u00a0 I grew up as a street skater in the suburbs of Boston and still skate when I get a chance. \u00a0 I will never stop skating until my legs stop working\u2026and even then I will find a way. \u00a0 My motto is that I\u2019d rather wear out than rust out\u2026 that\u2019s how I live my life.\u00a0 Full throttle all the way!<\/p>\n

I also love working on cars.\u00a0 I have an air cooled 911 and an M5 that I\u2019m constantly tinkering with in my garage.\u00a0 My wife thinks I break stuff just to fix stuff, she might be right. \u00a0 While my dad didn\u2019t teach me much about sports, he did teach me how to be handy and fix shit.\u00a0 That\u2019s a skill that most don\u2019t have anymore.<\/p>\n

IM: What are your priorities like now, versus then?<\/b><\/p>\n

AG: I think the main difference before and after this journey is that I used to put relaxing and self pity above being a role model for my family.\u00a0 That\u2019s some lame shit right there.<\/p>\n

As I look back I am really ashamed of who I had become as a person.\u00a0 I was always looking for an excuse instead of driving for an answer.\u00a0 I was always trying to make myself numb to my problems instead of taking them head on with authority.<\/p>\n

Today I prioritize my health first.\u00a0 While that may sound selfish it is the exact opposite of being selfish.\u00a0 If I\u2019m not healthy, I can\u2019t be the best version of myself for my family.\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t be able to ensure that I\u2019m at my full health so that I can be here as long as possible to serve them if I was still looking for solutions at the bottom of the bottle.<\/p>\n

<\/b>It\u2019s very selfish to drink until your problems aren\u2019t front and center.<\/p>\n

To wake up hung over and tired, and thus being grouchy all day long.\u00a0 To not be fully present for my family.\u00a0 To be some lame ass, sloppy version of myself.<\/p>\n

I will say that I\u2019m very honest with my children about the man I used to be, and why I\u2019ve made this change in my life.\u00a0 I think it\u2019s important for them to understand, so they can understand what makes me tick. \u00a0 They are very proud of me for the changes I\u2019ve made, and I\u2019m proud of myself too.\u00a0 I know they deserve the best, and I can only give my best when I feel my best.<\/p>\n

IM: Any other affiliations, coaches that you want to highlight or give a shout out?<\/b><\/p>\n

AG: The list is too long to mention, there\u2019s a lot of people out there that offered their support throughout this journey.\u00a0 I\u2019ve made some great friends through social media of all things\u2026 people I\u2019ve actually never met in person but have been routing for me this entire time.<\/p>\n

A few that come to mind are some of the realest dudes out there, leading their families:\u00a0 Andres Meraz, Gary Fish, Robb Wilson, Mark Kimball, Shawn French, and so many others \u2026 the list is long and I have crazy respect for all the guys who have changed their lives and dedicated themselves to helping others do the same.\u00a0 Our country needs people like this, people who lead from the front.
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Learn more about Anthony’s and his business on Instagram<\/b>\u00a0@choppedupfitness<\/u><\/a>\u00a0and at his website\u00a0choppedupfitness.com<\/a>.<\/h4>\n
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Whatever motivation or wake-up call you need to get fit, here is an inspiring story of how one dad went from a six-pack of beers to a six-pack of abs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":157,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,3,7],"tags":[128,95,13,58,85,59,129,17,130],"class_list":["post-156","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-diet","category-health-fitness","category-home-gym","tag-determination","tag-diet","tag-fitness","tag-garage-gym","tag-health","tag-home-gym","tag-mindset","tag-strength-training","tag-weight-loss"],"acf":[],"featured_image_url":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BLOG_dadbod_hero.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/156","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=156"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/156\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":317,"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/156\/revisions\/317"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/157"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=156"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=156"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=156"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}