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Dave’s 15-Year Journey: How He Lost 148 Pounds and Earned a New Lease on Life
Dave Montgomery’s fitness journey is the stuff of legend.
In 2008, weighing 337 pounds and facing serious health challenges, Dave decided it was time for a change. Fast forward to today, and the 189-pound PowerStrength member not only looks and feels better but has reclaimed his health, strength, and quality of life.
“It was just crazy that I had allowed myself to get to the point where I was,” Dave recalled.
A devastating motorcycle accident had left him requiring multiple surgeries, and his weight had become a barrier to recovery.
“When I came to my first surgery, the surgeon told me that I was too big to move over from the bed. That was the second that I decided that nobody was ever going to say that to me again.”
A LONG ROAD TO POWERSTRENGTH
Over the years, Dave tried everything to lose weight and get healthy—hiring trainers, consulting dietitians, reading books, and experimenting with different fitness and diet plans. His determination led to some early successes, but progress often stalled.
“Through this whole time I would lose weight, and then I would struggle and I would get stuck,” Dave said. “There were probably two years where I hadn’t lost any weight, I got really frustrated.”
By 2021, he was ready for a new approach and found his way to PowerStrength Training Systems. It turned out to be a game-changer.
“The trainers here know what they’re doing, they’re professional, they’re looking forward to you hitting your goals,” Dave said. “I don’t know that I would have found this anywhere else, honestly. From a support standpoint, you’re not going to beat the membership here. Everybody’s pulling for everybody else. “
POWERSTRENGTH’S ROLE IN DAVE’S TRANSFORMATION
Since joining PowerStrength, Dave has dropped 52 pounds and is now at 189 pounds—a weight he hasn’t seen in a long time.
“I’m doing things now that I’ve never done before,” he shared. “I feel like I’m as strong as I’ve been since I was in my teens.”
The trainers at PowerStrength worked closely with Dave, adapting workouts to his unique needs and guiding him every step of the way.
“The trainers check in often, which is good,” Dave said. “I came with lots of aches and pains, as you can probably imagine, going from where I came from until now. The trainers here at PowerStrength just made sure that I stayed on track, which is fantastic.”
Dave also credits PowerStrength with supporting him in his quest for the right diet. He worked closely with Stephan Cress, PowerStrength Kentwood Facility Leader, and they devised a plan that worked and helped make it sustainable.
“We addressed his water and protein intake and mapped out a consistent training schedule for his goals,” Stephan said. “When Dave committed to the nutrition piece, he consistently dropped weight, gained muscle, and dropped body fat. It finally clicked and is a credit to his perseverance.”
Dave embodies the spirit of the unmatched community that defines PowerStrength’s Fitness Program for adults in their 40s, 50s, and 60s.
“People love training with Dave,” Stephan said. He is fun to train with and is a pleasure to coach in the sessions.”
HEALTH RECLAIMED, LIFE TRANSFORMED
One of Dave’s proudest accomplishments is his improved health.
“I’m reducing meds for diabetes, gout, and blood pressure,” he said. “My A1C is down from 8.5 to 6.2. I’m hoping to get off all my medications soon.”
Dave’s new lifestyle has also enhanced his favorite pastime—golf.
“I feel better. I don’t have the aches and pains that I had before. I can do things now that I’ve never been able to do,” Dave said. “I was at St Andrews last year, and I played five rounds in five days. I walked about 40 miles. There’s no way at 337 pounds I could have done that. No way, my joints would have never taken it. It’s just different. I know I’m happier now, and that probably weighs a lot on how I feel.”
ADVICE FOR OTHERS
Dave knows how challenging fitness journeys can be and encourages others not to give up.
“I’ve told people I would pay double of what I paid over the last 13 years to have these kinds of results.”
For those considering PowerStrength, Dave has this to say:
“I think the support from the crew here really has been solid. There’s just no way that I think I could have gotten this last 52 pounds off without these guys. Any time somebody heard about where I started and where I was, they’ve just taken an interest in making sure that I get to the goal.”
LOOKING AHEAD
Now, as Dave reflects on his journey, he’s grateful for the life he’s built.
“It’s just unreal some of the things that I did to make sure that I got here and every bit of it’s worth everything that I did,” he said
Dave’s story is a testament to the power of persistence, community, and expert guidance. At 189 pounds, he’s not just living—he’s thriving.
READY TO TAKE CONTROL?
Men and Women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s who want to get stronger and have more energy can join the Personal Training Program at PowerStrength at any time. No previous workout experience is required as each program is customized to the fitness and ability level of each individual.
Multiple personal training sessions are offered in the early morning, mid-morning, late afternoon, and evening. Find your nearest PowerStrength location – Alpine, Kentwood, Jenison, Plainfield, and Holland.
Click HERE to learn more program details and schedule your risk-free consultation.
