Bill Winfrey has been a friend for 30 years. Last year he became very concerned about my health. I weighed 350 pounds, walked with a distinctive limp, and took 15 pain pills a day, in addition to the 13 others the doctor had prescribed. I was a type-2 diabetic, with alarmingly high blood pressure. Sciatic nerve damage kept me in extreme pain. I lost feeling in my feet, and lost all strength in my legs. I could not walk up one flight of stairs. As a professional speaker, I had difficulty managing the 2 steps to the stage, where I now needed a chair from which I delivered my speech.

Bill was concerned enough to take a chance. This is the phone message he left for me:

“James, I know you have been looking for a way to get healthy, and I think I can help. Newbury Park Athletic Club has everything you need. Weights, machines, cardio, even chiropractic and massage. This place is only 2 blocks from your house! You can even walk there! And most of all, they have personal trainers. I just spoke to Jackie. She told me she lost a lot of weight herself, and she believes you can do the same. I hope you don’t mind, I gave her your phone number and told her to call you in 2 hours if she hasn’t heard from you. I am really excited about this! Bye. Bill.”

I couldn’t decide if I was upset or impressed with his assertiveness.
Oh yeah, he lives 3,000 miles away in North Carolina.

I didn’t wait for that call. Within an hour, I had joined the club and signed up for personal training with Jackie.

A turning point for me was when I realized the question was not “Is Jackie worth that much?” The real question was “Am I worth that much?”

The first month we met 2 days a week for 30 minutes per session. Now we work out 45 minutes a session three days a week. I do my own cardio 3 days a week. And I eat healthy, delicious food.

This year I have lost 82 pounds! I am no longer a diabetic. In fact, I no longer take any medicine. This past summer I enjoyed hikes in both Glacier and Zion National Park.

Thank you, Bill, for taking a chance!