Charles Ferrell (Chuck)
WPM's Transformation of the Month - January 2012
Nominated by: Jason Morgan
Charles Ferrell (Chuck) is a metal head and love hard rock music. He is probably the biggest Aerosmith fan you'd ever know; easy going, soft spoken guy. He is a history and science buff, huge in the paranormal! He loves to laugh and have fun. He stands strongly for his beliefs and he doesn't back down when it comes to his love ones. He is sarcastic at times and he tends to take things to heart a little bit more then he should, but that is just who he is.
Chuck is on a journey to lose weight. As of right now, he has lost 55 pounds. He has went from around 42% body fat to 27%. He is just getting started.
"...I am motivated, much more positive, and I learn so much more about myself and what I can do. I am happier and I cannot remember the last time I was depressed! The gym is the anti-depressant that should be shared with others who suffer from being depressed. I love it! Plus, I am getting others to notice that they can better themselves and their health. It has been a true blessing to me. I did not only get a gym membership, I have also gained a family there! "
WP: What percent of body fat did you begin with?
I am not sure what it was at my heaviest weight of 246.6 but when I started keeping track, my body fat was 25% and I weighed 228.8 pounds.
WP: To begin your journey, did you decide to go with a Personal Trainer, self knowledge, or a gym?
I would go with all the above, but on the person trainer, I would say yes and no because we run with a morning crew and were all hanging and banging. There are personal trainers within but I would say they are more motivators then trainers in my eyes. But, we have a great time doing it all though.
WP: How many pounds of muscle have you gain?
The most I was in total was 198 pounds of muscle, so not really sure what I started off with really. My muscle mass has been very weird because it is always going up and down. I think it is due to all the cardio I do; which I am a monster on. Ha-ha!
WP: You said you have a support group helping you. Tell me more.
Support group was our morning crew: Jason Morgan, Iron Mike, Elaine Fox, Dusty, Jason Groves, D-Mon and myself. But there were some mornings I would go off solo because it would be my time to be alone, and hit the gym as hard as I could without stopping. Sometimes I would be there 3 to 4 hours and people who were coming in to work who left earlier just look at me and say, "You're still here?" Ha-ha! I know sometimes I would over do it but when you are wanting something so badly, you just do not feel like there is no end because you body does not know when to stop.
WP: What made you decide you were ready to transform?
Jason Morgan told me I was joining. Ha-ha! I did not know anything like this was going on. I was sitting in the corner during our GT class (Gladiator) resting and then the talks came in about Transform Your Body Challenge. I didn't really pay attention to anything until Jason said, "Chuck, you are in this too!" I am like, "Yeah, okay!" This was back in my more quitting days and always being negative. I pretty much let it go in one ear, out the other because I did not think I had what it took to win. Shows you how much I know. But, something somewhere in the challenge clicked inside, then that is when the lights came on and I was ready to fight this. Then day by day, little by little I was getting better and wiser, then I started to stand tall. It has not still sunk in that I came in the number 1 spot in this challenge. It is very humbling to say the least!
WP: What was the biggest challenge you faced while going through your transformation?
Wow, where do I begin? This challenge was only 3 months long and within those 3 months, I have had everything thrown at me; even the kitchen sink. I went from everything from girl friend leaving me, suffered from major depression, suicidal thoughts, passing out in the middle of Gladiator class. I was not allowed to return to class until I got a doctor slip saying I was good to go! I had like a 2 or 3 week absence and it dang near murdered me. I was scared because it felt like I was being shelved and I did not want that to happen. I withdrew from family and friends. No one heard from me within 4 days. I deactivated my Facebook account, everyone thought I was dead.
Depression is like a black hole, it will tear you apart. Then, I was in a really bad car wreck which messed my back up, but needless to say, I was back in the gym the very next day. People told me I was crazy, but I also told them that I may be hurt but I am not dead! Then, I get word that my grandfather was dying with lung cancer. Then later on, I get a call saying my father was in a coma in Indiana; which was not during the challenge, but it was that far off.
See, I over-come everything! I become a fighter and for the first time I decided NOT to quit! I feel better about myself. Now, I am working on building myself up and build myself stronger. I want to help others who has the same struggles and they can use this as an inspiration just to show you do not have to quit; you can keep fighting; fight to live another day. No matter who you are or where you come from, you can overcome anything that life throws at you!
WP: I am very proud of you! Did you take any type of supplements during this time? If so, which ones did you take?
I took Oxielite. I took 2 a day. I give 10 out of 5 stars. Ha-ha! I did not feel as hungry, I had better mental focus, I had more energy and plus it really burns the fat off your body! I owe a lot to that pill.
WP: What program did you follow and explain how it worked for you.
It wasn't really any program. I did the bike for 30 minutes, which adds up to close to 9 miles every morning. I did the mill for about 20 minutes. Russian Twist: I do about 150 of those, and then some b-ball. I did Gladiator class on Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday nights. They lasted anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour.
I walk to my mother's almost every day and that is about a mile and sometimes I even walk to the gym, either to the one that is about 10 minutes away or the only that is about a 7 mile walk. So, if anyone asks me if am married, yes I am. I am married to the gym. Ha-ha!
My favorite was running the rack; I do that at least twice with 10 to 12, sometimes 20 curls. Sometimes I get so lost in the moment, I end up losing count. I cannot see my life without the gym.
WP: What type of effects has your transformation caused?
I am motivated, much more positive, and I learn so much more about myself and what I can do. I am happier and I cannot remember the last time I was depressed! The gym is the anti-depressant that should be shared with others who suffer from being depressed. I love it! Plus, I am getting others to notice that they can better themselves and their health. It has been a true blessing to me. I did not only get a gym membership, I have also gained a family there!
WP: Did it ever come a time that you came to a "stand still" in your progress?
I did not really have any stand still through the contest. I just kept dropping. Plus, I switched my diets and working out every other month because you really have to trick your body!
WP: How long did it take for your complete transformation?
The challenge lasted 3 months. I have to say those 3 months really delivered some blows to me, but I got right back up and kept fighting! Lost 40 pounds within those 3 months!
WP: Can you give me an example of your current workout? Please include reps, sets, body part worked, time of day.
I walk every day, riding the bike for 30 minutes every morning, the mill for 20 minutes; I go to the gym at least twice a day. I only lifted 225 once in reps, but I am working on that pulling it off twice. Ha-ha! But I can get 195, I believe for 10 reps. I do the Russian twist 150 a day. I squat, I think almost 300 pounds. I try to take some days off in between, but sometimes it does not work. When I do, it feels like my day is incomplete.
WP: Can you break down your daily diet into a sample diet for us?
I eat breakfast between 9 - 10:30 am, Lunch between 12 - 1 and dinner between 4 and 6 pm. After that, it is strictly water and my bedtime is 10:30 or 11. I get up around 5 or 6 am to get ready to do it all over again. I mainly eat salads; with salads the possibilities are endless! I am a huge meat-head. I love my boneless breast chicken, and baked chicken and the lean hamburger. I eat nothing but wheat bread, almond milk and sometimes 2% milk. I eat a lot of tuna, fish, and special K, and other healthy breakfast choices. I really do not have a program on the food department, it is just mostly health foods and sometimes, and only sometimes, I do a little bit of junk. Other than that my eating is pretty clean.
WP: What have you accomplished since your transformation?
I won the challenge, which I am very extremely proud of. I am wiser about my work outs, my foods and the do's and don'ts about everything. People see on Facebook, what I have done for myself, and now I have people signing up for the gym because of me. People are on diets because they said it was because what I did. People are asking me tips about working out, what to eat and when to eat it, etc. This is truly an all new high for me. People are looking up to me instead of looking down at me!
WP: What would you like to say to motivate others to transform their lives?
Never stop, surrender is never an option! Close your eyes and see the person you want to be and you go out and you live it! Never say never and never give up! If you fall then get up and get back on again and keep fighting! Never let anyone keep you away from what your heart truly deserves. Do not depend on others and relationships for your happiness because they will be the ones to leave you first in their dust, so be your main source of your own happiness! Love yourself to show others that, they can love you, too. Never doubt yourself. Use other people's words to fuel your fire. Live to win!
WP: What are you goals?
My goal is getting down to 205 or 210 and start building my body. I want to improve other people's lives. I want to let them see that what I am doing. It does not have to be boring. You do not only gain a membership to a gym, in time, you also gain a family! I love my family at the gym and it has saved my life in more than one way. I owe it to the gym and the people who guided me.
WP: What are your strengths and weaknesses in your physique? How are you attempting to correct them?
My strengths: my legs for sure because I am weaker in my upper body. To change that, I am going to have to add some more protein to my diet and start pushing myself for reps on the bench and start doing other things that will improve my upper body strength. I really want this to happen!
WP: What problems have you had as far as staying motivated and disciplined to stick with your workouts?
Battling depression has always been a war that I seem to always fight against, but I am getting better at it every day. I do not let it get in the way of my workouts whatsoever anymore because the gym is where I take them out at and I feel a great deal of better when I am finished.
WP: What keeps fitness interesting to you?
Knowing I am just a day away from being in the shape I want to be and plus I have people looking up to me now, so I got to stay on my game for myself and for them! I have a lot of room for improvement and I am going to make those improvements in time. Plus it is fun. Getting into better shape, meeting new people, and learning so much as you go through it all. It has become my way of life and I cannot imagine my life without it!
Any shout outs?
Oh yeah! I want to give a shout out to my mother for sticking beside me through everything and kept me going and always believed in me. I thank her for always being my best friend, my mother and my partner in crime.
Also, to my long time best friend and my brother Lonnie, for always staying true to himself and our friendship and always believe I could do this!
Jason Morgan, Iron Mike and Elaine Fox for always lighting my fire and always correcting me in my faults and mistakes, guiding me and always challenging me!
And a special thanks for Jason Morgan for the challenge, the Gladiator classes and for testing and pushing me beyond my limits!
Dusty Cayton, he is our next challenger that is taking the next challenge by the throat and rip it out. He has been like a big brother to me and we have a lot in common and being a great friend. I am blessed to have you in my life, brother.
Jason Groves: the one that I share those most in common with. Thanks for being a good friend and I am happy to have you as a workout partner and a good friend!
Demon, they broke mold when they made you, man. Always in great spirits, always very friendly and also a good friend!
Shannon Maxwell, another brother, always been a great friend and I wish him and his truest the very best in the new life they are expecting. I am sure they are going to have a great family together, so best wishes, bro!
For all those on Facebook who has supported me; you are not forgotten. You guys will always have a very special place in my heart. You guys are the best!
Rodger Lockridge: Always been a true and great friend to me for who has also guided me and motivated me when I was in doubt! I owe a lot of thanks to you brother!
Plus a very, very, special shout outs to those who didn't believe in me if it was not for your BS, I would not have the fire that I burn today!
I think someone should give me some pull to get me in on the Biggest Loser to be one of the motivators.
WP: What were you like in high school?
I was high energy and always finding ways to make a butt out of myself. But, one way or another, I was always making someone laugh. Everyone knew me by the long hair and always had my guitar with me, or I had my CD walkman blasted and you could hear me a mile away! I was loud; in your face. I was still battling depression, but I think anyone does from time to time. It is called life, you deal with it! I was very friendly and always willing to help anyone who was in need. I was always known for my big heart.
WP: If I were to open your fridge and kitchen cabinets, what would I find in them?
I'm a health food freak! Ha-ha! Tuna, Chicken, lean hamburger, health drinks, orange juice, 2% milk, almond milk, and stuff to make salads with. I am a huge fan of the boneless breast chicken, loaded in the water department, some energy bars, and sugar free Jell-O to kill off the hunger pains. I rarely do fast food, but if I do, I prefer Subway. (Stay hungry my friends) Ha-ha!
WP: If I were to walk into your house and have a look around, what type of fitness equipment would I find?
(Laughing) You would be shocked because all I have is 2-20 pound dumbbells. That is it! The rest, I just use at the gym. I mean, that is why I spend so much money at the gym (laughing). My apartment is Halloween 24/7. I have a corner that is devoted to Freddy Krueger, skulls all over the place; I have a part of a way that is Ninja Turtles, Guns N Roses Flags and posters and KISS stuff. I even have a wall that is for Chuck Norris (Laughing). Gotta love the facts!
WP: What are your hobbies outside of fitness?
I am a paranormal investigator. I am with the Greenbrier Paranormal Society (look us up). I am a musician and I play guitar, bass, piano, some drums (still learning), harmonica and I write music and lyrics, I paint and draw, I build websites and make my own computer graphics and arts for fun.
Where are you going from here? What are your future goals for your career, this industry, and your physique?
I want to help others seek their paths to better themselves and making others happier. To show everyone that the shape you are in is not all you have to offer; you have so much more you owe to yourself. They deserve to be happier and the only way to do that is by getting out there and getting something done about it. It is not going to be handed to you. This is something you are going to have to get out there make happen!
I would love to be on The Biggest Loser as a motivator because I have a lot to offer! Some may laugh, but you know what? I do not care, because anything can happen from this point!
WP: You said you are a heavy metal lover. What group do you like the most?
I like the metal group, Evergrey. They are a progressive metal group that kept me company in working out. This band is great and I think everyone should check out. They are from Sweden.
Also, check out my ghost hunting team, GPS (Greenbrier Paranormal Society). We are apart of the Ghost Adventures Crew Family and we have been all over the place. We are very professional about everything! I also would love to give thanks for the Greenbrier Fitness for making all of this possible for me.
WP: The interview is coming to a close now. Is there anything that you would like to add prior the end of the interview?
Yes. For those who are battling depression, I just want to remind you that you are not alone in this war! We all go through it at one point in our lives. If you are not happy with your life then change it, make it better, do it for you and only you. Do it for anyone else, and not you, then it is a waste of time. Never quit, never say never keep fighting! Goals were made for you to reach, so reach for them and reach hard, because the only way to the top is from the bottom. Bigger the mountain, sweeter the victory!
WP: We are delighted to have you featured as our "Transformation of the Month". Thank you for taking the time out to hold this interview with us. We wish you the best of luck in the future.
