Becoming someone who finishes what he starts
Josh started #IWANTABZ at a lifetime-high 237 pounds and admits he'd been coasting. But this time, the goal wasn't only to lose weight. He wanted to become someone who did what he said he was going to do. Ten weeks later, he's under 205, doing pull-ups again, and heading toward his 40th birthday with an entirely different mindset.
Enter Josh:
Because I said I would.
From Day 1, this contest has been about keeping promises to myself—promises I’ve broken too many times in the past. It’s been about finishing what I start. About “waking my ass up” when the snooze button whispers excuses. About showing up at Beats & Barbells even when imposter syndrome told me I didn’t belong. About telling my jiu-jitsu coach with conviction that I’d lose 30 lb, even though I had never dropped that much in 10 weeks before.
And somewhere along this journey… I realized I had already won.
I met Cory. I curled beside Danny. I heard them call me a “unit” on the AF Mini-Cast—I swear I stood a few inches taller after that. I started doing pull-ups again—a lot easier when you’re 20–30 lb lighter. I needed a belt for pants that used to be tight.
And I finished this challenge with momentum, with a “definiteness of purpose” and a fire to “render more service than that for which I am paid.”
Before this contest, I was coasting. I let the small things slide. And one day, I woke up at a lifetime high of 237 lb—a number I never thought I’d reach. I honestly didn’t think I’d ever see under 210 lb again, let alone 205 lb.
But here I am.
The hardest part wasn’t the training or the diet—it was recovering after I messed up. When I missed an alarm. When I slipped on nutrition. When I lost my cool with my kids.
Those moments were crossroads.
In the past, they would’ve spiraled. But this time, I kept telling myself:
“I am the kind of person who finishes what he starts. I do what I say. I live aligned with my values (kindness, presence, curiosity, and grit) and goals. I am a patient and kind dad. I go the extra mile at work. I care about the small things.”
All things I had a hard time believing. But all things I desired to be and spoke into reality.
That’s what makes this transformation different.
It’s not held together by motivation—it’s held together by identity. By intention. By the decision to care again.
The biggest “small thing” I’ve gained is exactly that: caring about the details. Being thoughtful about where my energy goes. Making sure my actions match my mission, vision, and purpose.
My biggest no AC moment came on the 8–10 hour drive from Toronto to Old School Gym in Granville, Ohio, listening to “How to Raise Your Salary” by Napoleon Hill.
Something clicked on that highway.
I was reminded of the younger version of me who cared deeply—who dreamed boldly—who lived with purpose. That drive gave me clarity, hunger, and a renewed desire to live with intention and focus.
I turn 40 this year. And for the first time, I made a vision board. If it worked for Cory, why not me?
I put big goals on that board: crushing this contest, showing up at Muscle Island, building a body of work that becomes undeniable. But more than that—I put goals about being present with my family, raising my standard at work, and building a life I’m proud of.
On Day 1, I wrote that I was doing this to build a body of work so undeniable that people couldn’t ignore it.
And I meant it.
So I stopped making excuses. Paused BJJ. Put Kettlebell Sport aside. And stopped trying to “get cute” with the plan.
These 10 weeks became about stacking wins that would compound through 2026—in the gym, at work, and in my family.
My family goals were about presence. My work goals were about excellence. My gym goals were about integrity—doing what I said I would do.
I completed IWA 2026 with AF, Pump :30, and daily abs. I showed up day after day.
And I set myself up for what’s next: Muscle Island and the IBJJF World Masters in Vegas.
People say things start going downhill when you hit 40.
Not me. Not this year.
When I turn 40, I’ll be a different man—a present father, a connected husband, a professional who takes pride in his craft, and someone who keeps his word.
And that starts… continues today.
Because today—not tomorrow—I decide, commit, persevere, and complete.
I am someone who finishes what he starts.
LFG.
The Story of Joshua Wang // 2026 #IWANTABZ
Becoming someone who finishes what he starts
Josh started #IWANTABZ at a lifetime-high 237 pounds and admits he'd been coasting. But this time, the goal wasn't only to lose weight. He wanted to become someone who did what he said he was going to do. Ten weeks later, he's under 205, doing pull-ups again, and heading toward his 40th birthday with an entirely different mindset.
Enter Josh:
Because I said I would.
From Day 1, this contest has been about keeping promises to myself—promises I’ve broken too many times in the past. It’s been about finishing what I start. About “waking my ass up” when the snooze button whispers excuses. About showing up at Beats & Barbells even when imposter syndrome told me I didn’t belong. About telling my jiu-jitsu coach with conviction that I’d lose 30 lb, even though I had never dropped that much in 10 weeks before.
And somewhere along this journey… I realized I had already won.
I met Cory. I curled beside Danny. I heard them call me a “unit” on the AF Mini-Cast—I swear I stood a few inches taller after that. I started doing pull-ups again—a lot easier when you’re 20–30 lb lighter. I needed a belt for pants that used to be tight.
And I finished this challenge with momentum, with a “definiteness of purpose” and a fire to “render more service than that for which I am paid.”
Before this contest, I was coasting. I let the small things slide. And one day, I woke up at a lifetime high of 237 lb—a number I never thought I’d reach. I honestly didn’t think I’d ever see under 210 lb again, let alone 205 lb.
But here I am.
The hardest part wasn’t the training or the diet—it was recovering after I messed up. When I missed an alarm. When I slipped on nutrition. When I lost my cool with my kids.
Those moments were crossroads.
In the past, they would’ve spiraled. But this time, I kept telling myself:
“I am the kind of person who finishes what he starts. I do what I say. I live aligned with my values (kindness, presence, curiosity, and grit) and goals. I am a patient and kind dad. I go the extra mile at work. I care about the small things.”
All things I had a hard time believing. But all things I desired to be and spoke into reality.
That’s what makes this transformation different.
It’s not held together by motivation—it’s held together by identity. By intention. By the decision to care again.
The biggest “small thing” I’ve gained is exactly that: caring about the details. Being thoughtful about where my energy goes. Making sure my actions match my mission, vision, and purpose.
My biggest no AC moment came on the 8–10 hour drive from Toronto to Old School Gym in Granville, Ohio, listening to “How to Raise Your Salary” by Napoleon Hill.
Something clicked on that highway.
I was reminded of the younger version of me who cared deeply—who dreamed boldly—who lived with purpose. That drive gave me clarity, hunger, and a renewed desire to live with intention and focus.
I turn 40 this year. And for the first time, I made a vision board. If it worked for Cory, why not me?
I put big goals on that board: crushing this contest, showing up at Muscle Island, building a body of work that becomes undeniable. But more than that—I put goals about being present with my family, raising my standard at work, and building a life I’m proud of.
On Day 1, I wrote that I was doing this to build a body of work so undeniable that people couldn’t ignore it.
And I meant it.
So I stopped making excuses. Paused BJJ. Put Kettlebell Sport aside. And stopped trying to “get cute” with the plan.
These 10 weeks became about stacking wins that would compound through 2026—in the gym, at work, and in my family.
My family goals were about presence. My work goals were about excellence. My gym goals were about integrity—doing what I said I would do.
I completed IWA 2026 with AF, Pump :30, and daily abs. I showed up day after day.
And I set myself up for what’s next: Muscle Island and the IBJJF World Masters in Vegas.
People say things start going downhill when you hit 40.
Not me. Not this year.
When I turn 40, I’ll be a different man—a present father, a connected husband, a professional who takes pride in his craft, and someone who keeps his word.
And that starts… continues today.
Because today—not tomorrow—I decide, commit, persevere, and complete.
I am someone who finishes what he starts.
LFG.