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Father, Business Owner, First In Family: Jason Sims

FINterview-JSims1

What I didn’t see coming… The change in myself has caused a change in everyone around me.. Every relationship I have has become storybook awesomeness because of my WILLINGNESS TO CHANGE ONCE AND FOR ALL!”

Tell us a little bit about yourself... ​

Hello there! I’m Jason Sims from Lakeland Florida clocking in at 42 years old.

Recently I started my own business that deals in the service and repair of everything swimming pool related.

Before that I was in the swimming pool industry for the past 16 years.

I have twin boys (8)…yes TWIN BOYS! hahah they are awesome and a big part of the reason I am here.

What brought you to the First In Family initially?

I have known Jonathan since I was about 17ish when we played in Lakeland area bands around the same time. Fast forward a couple of years, we end up in a band together!

As You Wish was formed with a few songs ready to go… and off we go! When we decided to go on tour, Jonathan had done everything from CD’s, shirts, ordering, booking the tour route, promoters, guarantees, food, and so on… That was the first time I had seen such an unparalleled drive in a friend.

(Fast forward 17ish years.) Jonathan is popping up in my social media feeds looking like a bad mf’er ! Not surprised to find out that he did it on his own! haha go buddy go! I found myself knowing for the first time that i needed this discipline and dedication from a person that i knew would do everything he can with knowledge and undeniable passion.

I have never been let down by Jonathan so I let him take the wheel..I am blown away, again! You have literally helped to change my life in a way that I couldn’t have possibly expected. Thank you.

Tell us a little bit about your background and history with food.

For years, like most everyone else, I have struggled to find a diet and workout plan that would work for me.

Everything goes pretty well for a few weeks losing up to 10 lbs and maybe looking a little more swole, but, i would always plateau and end up where i started. P90X, which i failed in the first few weeks, lifting too heavy chasing down size, no plan at all.

I know for sure now that my hinderance was knowledge of food and how my body ACTUALLY works with it!

What was the turning point in your life when you realized you needed to make a change?

I picked up the guitar when I was 10 years old and was immediately obsessed. I loved some hair metal and old school rap music… when MTV was cool!

In my late teens I was partying and going out almost every night with a fake ID and carrying on like an idiot. Playing in bands almost my entire life has been really fun but has come with a serious consequence.. I am not happy with what I am, have done, or become.

Looking back on those times is mostly fun except for some times that I got out of hand and others had to suffer my irresponsibility ie..falling down on stage, throwing up in a parking lot and so on which is honestly embarrassing at best.

I got married at 29 and had twin boys soon after.

I really thought my life was going to fall into place and I would find whatever peace I needed. Wrong..

I tried to hold onto what I could in defiance to keep what little relevance I may have had. Heather and I were married almost 10 years but that ended because of how I decided to handle myself.

Sadly I still wasn’t quite bottomed out. I gave up my retirement and savings to buy another home for my family about 4 years ago.

Lets skip forward to May 13th 2020… My girlfriend (3yrs) left me 4 days ago and i have been drinking nonstop. I think ill run up to the store and stock up for my next moronic event.

My type 1 diabetes had other plans… Sitting at a traffic light, my blood sugar went over 600 and i passed out at the wheel causing me to roll into another vehicles rear bumper. I immediately wake up and pull my truck over into a gas station parking lot. The police came and gave me a sobriety test and when we were done the DUI officer asked me if there was anything else going on.. I lost it.

“I can’t speak anymore because i am tired of making excuses for what i am. Just do what you have to do with me, I’m ready to go”. An ambulance pulls up and they get to work on me which is when i found out my blood sugar was 600+. The officer asked me if I would rather go to jail, or to the hospital for treatment.. That man is a huge part of where I am now..

May 13th 2020 was my last day of drinking and I am still going very strong.

The “lightbulb” doesn’t just come on.. It continues to radiate util the energy explodes within, freeing you from yourself!

What was the journey like and what changes did you make?

What I didn’t see coming… The change in myself has caused a change in everyone around me.. Every relationship I have has become storybook awesomeness because of my WILLINGNESS TO CHANGE ONCE AND FOR ALL!

The most rewarding thing thus far being my boys.. They seem happier than ever and I know it is because I am finally happy.

I didn’t know that things were so clear and bright until I decided to be present.

How do you feel after making those changes?

Dwelling on my past is still frustrating, but at least I know exactly where I am going now.

I started with Jonathan in hopes that I could find control over at least 1 thing in my life.. boy was I wrong about that..

Giving someone else the keys to your car is sometimes difficult, but it is the right choice when you don’t drive so well..

Buddy, I tell you what! Thank you for getting my life started! I have the strongest relationship with my boys and my ex-wife (Heather) now, a GREAT attitude, my sense of humor is back, I’m playful, driven is an understatement, music is awesome again, my body had morphed in a few short months into a wtf moment!

It just continues to pour in and I have never been so happy with.. ME.

What did your friends/family think of your transformation?

Friends and family were skeptical at first because of the amount of weight i was losing, saying things like I looked too thin or sickly..

Well shit, I look and feel great.. give me a minute, you’ll see..

I put all faith in the man that I know would do the job the right way, and did he deliver! or did I?

Jonathan’s guidance has caused me to learn a lot about myself, body and mind.. I now have the tools to build my ideal self

Were you active or did you workout during your journey?

As far as food goes.. F me
I guess we have all done this the wrong ass way!

As far as working out goes.. F me again..

I was eating what I thought I should.. tons of protein with almost no carbs or fat.. wrong
heavy lifting for a couple hours here and there with a mile swim almost everyday.. wrong

I eat more now than I have in my entire life and I only do bodyweight or light weight exercise for 30-45 min 4-5 times per week with a walk or two thrown in for good measure.

I have learned more about myself in 25 weeks than I could have ever hoped for! 25 weeks.. let that settle in.

What does being First In mean to you?

First In is an awesome and friendly community where your family is there to help you successfully achieve the goal of an amazing life.

I am First in now for more than just that “1″ reason that we spoke about before.

Maybe we all have that “1” friend that we wish we could help, but we think they will eventually be ok.

I came here for help.. what I got… a life worth living, mental and physical awareness, meaningful relationships, drive, passion, determination, and discipline.

What was the biggest challenge or change when you started with First In and how did you overcome it?

My biggest challenge was understanding how my body was processing sooooo much food and I was leaning out and building so quickly.. oh well! get it in! I like food, so why not..

I love what I know about me now.. doors are always opening. Trust the ripped woman/man telling you what your needs are, humble yourself (key to change)

What’s next for you and where do you see this journey taking you in the future? ​

It is difficult to think of my goals moving forward as I don’t know how much more of that “proud” feeling I can take! But I’ll be here letting things continue to fall into place.

What are your top 5 "secrets" for success?

1. Give yourself an “honest” chance. My experiences are going to be different from others, but, I was ready to be better and to dedicate myself to doing what is necessary, and mean it!

2. There are good days and there are better days. Change your outlook, change your life.. be happy and treat others well. Positivity alone changes so much.

3. You are the priority! You can’t help anyone effectively until you are able to help yourself. you will become the “light” for others around you.

4. Drop the dead weight. Hinderance can keep you in place…”move to trash”

5. Things are not as they seem.. be humble, win the prizes.. all of them.

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any advice for someone thinking about getting started?

Take all of the corners of your world and put them into your hands. Look carefully and begin to shape what you see. Create and become the perfect circle.

As far as being on the fence about a “new diet”?
If you let fear go you will find freedom. Just look at us go!!

I have people ask me constantly how I did it.. “I knew I could, I just decided to pull my head from the depths of my ass and get to work!
Amazing what 25 weeks can do huh?”

Just a few changes can make ALL THINGS FALL INTO PLACE

Anne and Jonathan,
My life is honestly great these days.. I’m sure you would say “you put in the work”, or “your happiness is what we love to see”, but.. I truly appreciate my life now. I would not be where I am without your guidance. Thank you so much

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