Max Sawaya, a 17-year-old student, found his path to a healthier and more active lifestyle through Embody, a personal training gym. His journey is a testament to the power of dedication and expert guidance in achieving fitness goals.
"A friend of my dad's actually suggested Embody, so we went for a consultation, and it went very well. That's how we started."
Max's lifestyle before joining Embody was typical for many teenagers. "We'd order food on weekends, drink a lot of soft drinks. I was active in sports but my diet was completely undisciplined," he recalls. "I was consuming more calories than I burned, and it wasn't healthy."
The decision to join Embody was driven by a desire for change. "I looked in the mirror and thought, ‘This isn’t who I want to be.’ I needed something different," Max explains. His initial doubts about personal training quickly faded as he saw the benefits.
Before Embody, Max’s fitness routine was primarily basketball-focused, with sporadic conditioning. "It was mostly cardio, with occasional push-ups or squats, but nothing intense," he says. The shift to Embody introduced him to a more comprehensive strength training regimen.
"Now, I train more muscle groups and understand how my body reacts to different exercises."
Max noticed significant improvements in his basketball performance. "My stamina was low, and I couldn’t run much, after starting with Embody, I could jump higher, pass farther, and shoot better. It improved my game immensely," he shares.
The results came quickly. "I started in November, and by the end of the first month, I was close to dunking. It was one of the best feelings of my life," Max remembers. The combination of Embody’s structured program, an intuitive app for tracking progress, and the support from his trainer, Amin, played crucial roles in his success. "Amin made the gym a positive environment, turning workouts into enjoyable sessions rather than chores", he added.
"The app helped me track my body stats, meal plans, and progress photos," Max says. "Amin kept me disciplined, ensuring I stayed on track both in and out of the gym."
Max’s transformation didn't go unnoticed. "My brother, who goes to university in the U.S., couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw me during Christmas. My friends at school also noticed the change and were very supportive," he shares proudly.
"One of the most powerful lessons I learned is PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY. You can have the best support system, but it’s up to you to put in the work. Every step of the way, you have to stay disciplined."
Reflecting on his journey, Max feels a tremendous boost in confidence. "Day one, I had no confidence. Now, I feel I can keep up with anyone on the court and perform better," he says. "It feels amazing to be that guy now."
Max is convinced that joining Embody was a worthwhile investment. "It’s life-changing. You develop a different work ethic and attitude. If I can lose the weight, I can achieve anything," he asserts.
