In today’s episode of This Hits Different, Shelby Cassesse tells the story of Redbank Valley sophomore Matt Gregory, who lost 115 pounds in a year in order to make the wrestling team.
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Redbank Valley sophomore Matt Gregory says he had always been the "big kid." But during pandemic lockdowns, the scale started moving in the wrong direction rapidly.
“When we went into lockdown, I ended up gaining probably around 150 pounds,” says Gregory. “I would go up the steps and I’d be out of breath.”
At his heaviest, Gregory weighed over 400 pounds at 14 years old. It took a wake up call from his doctor to understand something had to change.
“The doctor said that if I gain anymore — and I was at like 390 — that I could die of being overweight,” he says.
He committed to a new lifestyle.
No fad diets or other unhealthy weight loss tactics here. Gregory implemented old fashion dieting and exercise.
“The first month or month and a half, probably out 30 pounds,” Gregory says. “Once I realized, I was going to start taking this a to more serious, the motivation kicked in pretty good.”
Though it wasn't always easy to keep going, Gregory was down about 90 pounds when he set his sights on a new goal: make weight to join the wrestling team.
He needed to shed about 30 more pounds. Gregory says some people discouraged him from trying, thinking it might be too dangerous, but he pushed through.
“You have to dedicate yourself to what you want to become,” he says.
About a month later, he made weight at 285 pounds. A total weight loss of about 115 pounds in a year.
He also joined the football and track teams. Football coach Blane Gold watched it all happen.
“It’s just been really neat to see the results and see his confidence grow,” Gold says. “And what’s been really neat is to see his teammates — whether it’s on the wrestling team or the football team — be so excited for him every time he steps on the scale.”
Matt says the weight loss is one thing, but it's that support system built along the way that makes it that much more rewarding.
“It’s been a big help, friend and teammates,” Gregory says. “I’ve had so many people help me through.”
From a kid who tried to hide his size with baggy clothes - to inspiring those around him to tackle their challenges head-on.
“The amount of dedication that it’s taken from Matt to commit to this — and not just be on a fad diet — but to completely change his lifestyle, to put him in a position to lose this weight, he’s healthy, he’s able to compete in sports, Gold says. “It’s the ultimate testament that no battle is too big to fight.”