Another life story about another life changed – the feeling never gets old for me!  This man is currently taking on the battle of his life time and yet he still manages to have the time of his life.  For Stasi Diavatis the completion of an 80 mile bike ride for the Tour de Cure this past Sunday was huge milestone in his journey of learning to live a healthy, long, full life that is free of any health complications, or physical ailments- something his family has been battling far too often in recent years.    If want to learn more about Stasi’s journey with Results the 24 Hour Gym and our Personal Coaching and Group Training Program visit his blog page.  This race/ bike ride meant so much to Stasi in so many ways.  Congratulations to this brave man for completing such a challenge.  Please let me tell you a bit more of his journey working up and leading to his most recent milestone with the completion the 80 mile bike ride.

This idea of a bike ride for such a distance was bestowed upon Stasi perhaps a bit before his original planning or timeline of events.  He talked himself into the idea pretty quick – yet looked forward to it still somewhat reluctantly, or anxiously.  It all started with Stasi, once a finish line supporter himself at this year’s Shamrock Half Marathon,mentioned the idea of aiming for a big challenge to train for maybe a year out to the day. The Tour de Cure race day in Napa Valley was no more than two months out at the time and somehow we agreed to do it.  He trusted in his coaches for the grueling task of preparation and readying his body for the race to come.  Brave man!  Two months to almost quadruple his riding time and distance covered at the time.

Two months of preparation meant we had to get down to business- some real serious training. Rain or shine, good mood or bad mood, jokes or complaints, Stasi showed up to get to business three days a week for functional resistance training with his partner Miltos. He was even out on the trial for bike rides three and four times each week. Some days included resistance in the morning and bike ride at midnight!  With the extra push of a goal to reach towards Stasi even made some big changes in nutrition intake to compliment his physical preparation and training. The most influential of which, though tough to admit, was less time with an old friend by the name of Johnny Walker.  By race day Stasi was down in fat mass, had set many personal bests with various strength lifts, and had already put in a 71 mile training ride.   I can now say that going into the distance race throughout the Napa hillsides was physically and mentally demanding regardless of extensive preparation and conditioning.

Stasi conquered! The hours and hours of time and sweat he endured with coaches and on his own time helped push him over the hills, around each turn, dragging through wind gusts, crawling up climbs, and tucking down the high speed hills for a total 80 miles worth of a gigantic feeling of accomplishment.  A man of great integrity – no matter what challenge he faced, Stasi stayed true to his word and finished the goal at hand. This is the kind of feeling that forever lives with you throughout life no matter what challenge may arise.  With this milestone complete Stasi now takes on the battle to continue reminding himself of that feeling; he is almost reborn from battle to battle to come with his determination, courage, and hard work.  Stasi can forever remember that day to perpetuate daily the same character we saw in him the crossing that finish line after the 7 hour ride Sunday.

The journey of conditioning and transforming Stasi’s body has been a long time in the making now since his arrival to Results one year ago. In a way it has been a long drawn out transformation, or rebirth of this big hearted, big Greek man. The lifestyle change for him remains dire as he cares for himself and his family.  His father now lives with permanent lifestyle consequences related to the complications of gastric bypass surgery. Along with this first hand exposure, and the connection to many other family members battling health risks of disease, Stasi had no option, but to change his lifestyle or face the similar outcome.  Coming in
his first day at 387 pounds he literally fights for his life- and know the battle isn’t easy, nor is it won overnight.

He continues to work to condition his body to a healthy, athletically capable, composition to be able to live a long active life.  Continue to support him, as he will for you, in the journey and battle to live active and thrive in wellness.  Encourage this brave man to reach further to new and greater milestones of accomplishment.  He is capable of so much more than he knows, or admits to – as are we all. His courage serves to all as a lasting reminder to always seek out and reach for new accomplishments in life.

Imua Stasi
Go forth!

Three weeks came and went and yesterday was the big day. We completed the 80 mile ride with some eventful moments and I will fill you in on all of the details shortly. First I want to say thank you to a bunch of deserving people.

Today was another day of training for the Tour de Cure and after a 61.5 mile ride I finish this day with mixed emotions. Happiness, pain, fear and anticipation. Obviously I am happy because I just rode my bike almost 62 miles and I am one step closer to the 80 mile ride that we will be dong in just under three weeks time.