Recently I had the wonderful opportunity to share my story with CNN. This is a highlight of motivation for me. If I wasn’t accountable enough before, I certainly am now. You can read the full story HERE.
Take from it what you will. Am I crazy? Maybe. Am I inspiring? I hope so. Am I just another guy trying to improve his life? You betcha.
Without sounding like I’ve won an Oscar, there are a few people I need to thank:
- My loving wife, Farah Iqbal, for her continued support and encouragement, and for keeping me grounded. Baby, without you nothing I do matters.
- Steve McGeachy of Strength N U, my first trainer, and me, his first client. Steve helped me overcome myself, motivated me to be more, has never given up on me to this day, and continues to inspire with all he accomplishes.
- My fans, family, friends and coworkers. There have been those that doubt, those that ridicule, those that support and encourage, but it all continues to make me push myself harder. I hope now you’ll believe me when I say anyone can accomplish anything if they put their will to it.
- Matthew Orlando for the wonderful photography and for teaching me how to pose at all.
- Ned Coker and CCP games for always being supportive of all my endeavours as Roc and as Marcus. Ned, you’ve become a real friend, and I look forward to continued good things between us.
- Jacque Wilson for this opportunity and for writing this story.
- Roc Wieler for giving me an outlet to express myself, to fantasize about being more than I am, for setting the physical example of what I want to be, and despite being such a “man”, for always knowing how to treat the ladies right and with respect. I’ve learned a lot about myself from you. Fly strong, Colonel.
Honestly, like I said, if I can do it, you can do it. Never doubt yourself. Never stop believing in yourself. You are the most unstoppable force in your life. You are are awesome. Start acting like it.
ROC'S RAMBLINGS 
An inspiring story my friend. I salute your dedication and commitment and hopefully your story will inspire others to take a more healthy path. Both gamers and non-gamers alike.
Hey, I read your story on CNN and I have to say I can relate to you with this. I’m also a fellow gamer who over the years have let myself go. I got heavy into drug use and alcohol and my weight ballooned to 300 lbs. I’m not a small body size, but still I’m not making any excuses. I’m 6’2 and over the summer I checked myself into a rehab clinic. During my stay, I watched The Dark Knight Rises and watching the villain Bane, I was inspired to get into the shape that Tom Hardy (the actor who portrayed him) was in.
I’m a fellow Canadian, living in Ottawa and ComicCon is coming next year in May (3rd year in a row now). My goal is to get into shape and buy the Bane costume complete with mask at Cosplay.com ($400).
It’s been a few months since I’ve been out of rehab and clean. I now weigh at 273, my body fat has dropped from 35% to 27% and I’ve put on 7 lbs of muscle so far. My target is 230 with 12% body fat with 30 lbs of muscle. I’m getting there, feeling great, eating much like you described and well I’m my way. Your story will serve as motivation for me to keep doing what I’m doing.
Just want to say thanks.
Jeremy
I look forward to hearing back from you. Keep at it, whatever it takes.
I am impressed and I will admit it, a little inspired. I’m in my 9th week of a heavy fitness regime and seeing what you’ve accomplished helps stay the course.
Fly safe.
Right there just made it all worthwhile. Thank you for commenting.
You’ve always been a motivation factor in game and in real life – especially your rules and commentary about the clearly obvious crap we always glaze over. Congrats on the article!
Just read you CNN article. I gotta tell ya, this is a great story and you definitely have me thinking in a better direction. I, also, am an EVE player and so I can relate. Hats off to you and keep it up! Thank you for sharing your story!
Every comment like this keeps me going. Thanks for taking the time to share. Appreciated.
I’m not a video game player, but this story gave me a kick in the pants. I shrugged off a workout this morning.
I had sort of lost that drive to turn myself into a superhero, BUT this story has given me that drive back.
This is definetely something I will be printing out to keep as a reminder.
Thanks!!
I’ll do you one better. Keep coming back here and anytime you need a boot, my size 10 steel toe will be here to motivate.
Seriously though, if you need, ask. I’ll help where I can.
Great story and commitment to getting into shape. I have struggled with my own weight for several years now. I need to loose about 40 pounds and replace some of it with muscle and I know how tough it is to stop eating crap and going to the gym. Thanks for sharing your story. May it be an inspiration to other men.
Let me know how it goes for you. I look forward to reading your story one day.
Awesome work, Roc! It really got me thinking. I’ve recently crossed the 260 barrier, and it’s about time I fixed that. Going to see what kind of a goal I can set for myself between now and Fanfest 2013, and then see how long I can keep it going. Cheers, man!
If you want help, I’m here.
Hi from Canada 🙂
Great story! Very motivating, I have shared it with some of my friends. Thanks for sharing.
CNN article was very inspirational. I made a change this year as well. It’s hard to stay motivated but it’s stories like this that keep me going!
Great story, someone on Facebook linked to the CNN story and they linked to your page.
You are doing good work man.
Ramping up production on 250K+ of CNRs, the farmers are hard at work for an epic return. And no you cannot have my State Raven 🙂
F900EX
:p bring it on Caldari! Placid was your Achilles heel!
Wow, sometimes I forget how behind I am on my blog list. Congrats btw Rok!
I read this at work on CNN just a bit ago. I use to play EVE Online. I’m really overweight and this made me feel better in that I am pretty sure I can do this too.
Thanks from someone outside the EVE community.
You’re right. You can do anything you put your will to. Thanks for posting.
I learned about you today through CNN! I just wanted to say you are such an inspiration and totally HOT! 🙂
Thank you, darlin.
This must be occuring more often than others think. I too happen to play EVE for about 6 years. I just lost 40 pounds in the last year and a half. I when from a 44 jacket size to 42. A waist of 38 to 32 at the age of 42. It is very life changing.
Congrats man! And yes, it happens every day. The more life changing stories are shared, the quicker being healthy will be considered the norm once again.
If I can do it, anyone can.
Just read your CNN article. Great story and congrats !! I know the road is long and hard but you seem to VERY disciplined. Articles like yours helps me stay true to my goals. Good luck on the next 6 months!
I showed this article to friend. First comment: “Bizarre.” Followed by: “There are worse ways to find motivation.” (which for her is praise)
And while it’s admirable that you consider yourself “just another guy” – you’re out there and inspiring others, which, I guess, makes you that guy. (str)
But I am curious: how did this article come to be? While I can imagine Roc calling up CNN, saying “I’m awesome, you should write about me.”, I don’t quite see M.D. doing that.
Ned Coker and I talk on Facebook. We got talking about Eve is real, community promotion, etc. I talked about getting people in shape at Fanfest or doing a special fitness issue of Eon.
Next thing I know we’re talking about a Men’s Health piece, which turned into the CNN piece.
Jacque warned that people would hate simply because nobody likes seeing others do what they aren’t.
Is it newsworthy? Probably not. Has it evoked strong emotional responses? Hell yes.
If even one inspired person changes their life because of this, then news or not, haters or not, fluff CCP publicity or not, it was worth it.
You yet again inspire me as usual Roc lol. I was just thinking about taking a cheat day until I saw your article from CNN in my feed reader. Keep up the good work and congrats on the CNN article. You truly deserve it. Cheers mate and fly safe. 07
saw the Cnn peice and give you great credit keep up the good work.
Hey, I read your story on CNN and I have to say I can relate to you with this. I’m also a fellow gamer who over the years have let myself go. I got heavy into drug use and alcohol and my weight ballooned to 300 lbs. I’m not a small body size, but still I’m not making any excuses. I’m 6’2 and over the summer I checked myself into a rehab clinic. During my stay, I watched The Dark Knight Rises and watching the villain Bane, I was inspired to get into the shape that Tom Hardy (the actor who portrayed him) was in.
I’m a fellow Canadian, living in Ottawa and ComicCon is coming next year in May (3rd year in a row now). My goal is to get into shape and buy the Bane costume complete with mask at Cosplay.com ($400).
It’s been a few months since I’ve been out of rehab and clean. I now weigh at 273, my body fat has dropped from 35% to 27% and I’ve put on 7 lbs of muscle so far. My target is 230 with 12% body fat with 30 lbs of muscle. I’m getting there, feeling great, eating much like you described and well I’m my way. Your story will serve as motivation for me to keep doing what I’m doing.
Just want to say thanks.
Jeremy
Loved your CNN article. Gaming can be as addictive as anything else, at the expense of relationships, work, school, and healthy social interactions. As a mom of two young boys (12, 8) who clamor for more video game time, it is difficult to explain to them how important it is to maintain a balance between real life and virtual life. I don’t mind a few hours here and there, and I realize there are many benefits to playing video games, such as strategy, programming, design, history, etc. (after all, I used to do tech support). However, I have a problem when they ignore friends who are over to play because they are hunched over the desktop playing Minecraft or World of Tanks, or when their attitude gets nasty towards anyone who gets near the computer. Your article is inspiring and helpful for starting a conversation about balance.
Glad I could help. And if you need ol Roc for some disciplining, let me know.
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