Lost 20 pounds. Gained his life back.
For Daniel, the 2026 #IWANTABZ Contest became far more than a fitness challenge. It became the moment he decided to reclaim his life.
Daniel had always been the type to jump into every CoryG Fitness challenge. But about four years ago, a knee injury changed everything.
“I lost more than just my ability to train,” he said. “I lost my drive.”
At his heaviest, Daniel weighed around 217–220 pounds. He was drinking almost every day, mentally drained, overwhelmed with work, and stuck in unhealthy habits. His marriage was struggling. His discipline was gone. He no longer recognized the man he had become.
Then life handed him a wake-up call. After 11 years, Daniel and his wife found out they were having another baby — a baby boy.
“And I realized I was about to welcome him as the worst version of myself.”
At the same time, Daniel watched his youngest son pushing himself through workouts and boxing training. Instead of being the inspiration, Daniel felt like he was falling behind.
That’s when he saw the #IWANTABZ contest announcement. And everything changed.
“I wasn’t just going to do this challenge… I was going to transform my life.”
Daniel looked at his son and made a promise: “Watch me. I’m going to do this. I’m going to have abs. I’m going to be fit. And I’m going to win first place.”
No backup plan. No excuses.
For 10 straight weeks:
No alcohol, no cheat meals, no excuses, training every single day.
All while working as a flight attendant. Constantly traveling, sleeping in hotels, living out of airports, and battling exhaustion.
“At 41 years old, coming back from a knee injury, my body wasn’t the same.”
The first seven weeks were brutal. He lost 16 pounds, but he stayed stuck above 200 pounds. He questioned everything. He felt frustrated. Temptation was everywhere.
The challenge took place during the Super Bowl, his birthday, Easter, and all-inclusive hotel stays with his crew.
“Everyone expected Daniel to party… but I stayed disciplined.”
Even with terrible hotel gyms.
Even with only three hours of sleep.
Even when quitting would have been easy.
“Because I made a promise: no excuses at the end.”
Then around Week 8, everything shifted. Daniel finally broke below 200 pounds.
“That’s when everything started aligning.”
He took time off work, tightened up his routine, focused on recovery, training, and meals, and mentally became a different person.
“The old version of me was gone.”
His posture changed, his mindset changed, his cravings for alcohol disappeared. His discipline became automatic.
Every night became preparation for the next day’s mission. And people noticed.
“At work, people started asking: ‘Who is that guy? He looks completely different.’ Because I was.”
Today, he stands at 194 pounds. Leaner, stronger, and more confident than ever before.
“For the first time in my life, I took pictures in underwear and felt proud of my body.”
At 41 years old, coming back from injury, working nonstop flights, traveling constantly, and facing temptations daily.
He still showed up. Every single day.
“But regardless of the result, I already won.”
“Because my real victory is my family, my discipline, and becoming the best version of myself to welcome our new son into the world.”
The Story of Daniel Canelo // 2026 #IWANTABZ
Lost 20 pounds. Gained his life back.
For Daniel, the 2026 #IWANTABZ Contest became far more than a fitness challenge. It became the moment he decided to reclaim his life.
Daniel had always been the type to jump into every CoryG Fitness challenge. But about four years ago, a knee injury changed everything.
“I lost more than just my ability to train,” he said. “I lost my drive.”
At his heaviest, Daniel weighed around 217–220 pounds. He was drinking almost every day, mentally drained, overwhelmed with work, and stuck in unhealthy habits. His marriage was struggling. His discipline was gone. He no longer recognized the man he had become.
Then life handed him a wake-up call. After 11 years, Daniel and his wife found out they were having another baby — a baby boy.
“And I realized I was about to welcome him as the worst version of myself.”
At the same time, Daniel watched his youngest son pushing himself through workouts and boxing training. Instead of being the inspiration, Daniel felt like he was falling behind.
That’s when he saw the #IWANTABZ contest announcement. And everything changed.
“I wasn’t just going to do this challenge… I was going to transform my life.”
Daniel looked at his son and made a promise: “Watch me. I’m going to do this. I’m going to have abs. I’m going to be fit. And I’m going to win first place.”
No backup plan. No excuses.
For 10 straight weeks:
No alcohol, no cheat meals, no excuses, training every single day.
All while working as a flight attendant. Constantly traveling, sleeping in hotels, living out of airports, and battling exhaustion.
“At 41 years old, coming back from a knee injury, my body wasn’t the same.”
The first seven weeks were brutal. He lost 16 pounds, but he stayed stuck above 200 pounds. He questioned everything. He felt frustrated. Temptation was everywhere.
The challenge took place during the Super Bowl, his birthday, Easter, and all-inclusive hotel stays with his crew.
“Everyone expected Daniel to party… but I stayed disciplined.”
Even with terrible hotel gyms.
Even with only three hours of sleep.
Even when quitting would have been easy.
“Because I made a promise: no excuses at the end.”
Then around Week 8, everything shifted. Daniel finally broke below 200 pounds.
“That’s when everything started aligning.”
He took time off work, tightened up his routine, focused on recovery, training, and meals, and mentally became a different person.
“The old version of me was gone.”
His posture changed, his mindset changed, his cravings for alcohol disappeared. His discipline became automatic.
Every night became preparation for the next day’s mission. And people noticed.
“At work, people started asking: ‘Who is that guy? He looks completely different.’ Because I was.”
Today, he stands at 194 pounds. Leaner, stronger, and more confident than ever before.
“For the first time in my life, I took pictures in underwear and felt proud of my body.”
At 41 years old, coming back from injury, working nonstop flights, traveling constantly, and facing temptations daily.
He still showed up. Every single day.
“But regardless of the result, I already won.”
“Because my real victory is my family, my discipline, and becoming the best version of myself to welcome our new son into the world.”