“I’m 42 years old, was born in Billings Montana and have lived here my whole life. In high school my dads job moved us down to southern Utah for two years but we made it back to Billings. I am blessed to have a beautiful wife and three great daughters. My daughters are 15, 13, and 11. 

I live for the outdoors, hiking, hunting, fishing, and just being in the country. Luckily my family loves the outdoors as well and enjoys hiking, camping, and all three of my daughters go hunting with me. Something I feel so lucky to have. 

I work for a company out of Iowa, called Boyt Harness. It’s a hunting company that’s been around since 1901. Another blessing I have in my life. 

 I was born a big kid and have always been on the bigger side. In high school I wrestled 215 but was pretty trim. Naturally just a big guy. At the 215 mark my stomach was flat and you could see my muscles. Even after high school I would go out hunting and many days I would walk 15-20 miles a day many days in a row. Over time I gained some weight here and there and as most guys most of it came after my wife and I started having kids. 

In 2008 I sustained a major back injury and my weight skyrocketed. At my peak I weighed 384 pounds. I still went out hunting and hiking but it was hard and hurt all the time. Mentally I could just push through it to a point but it wasn’t as fun as it once was. Still my love for the outdoors drew me out there but still I wasn’t happy. I think unknowably I ate because food brought me a little joy. 

I would go on diets and try and lose weight. I was successful, but something would stop me from working out and my mind would give up. I never seemed to be able to keep the weight off. My back would give out and would not let me workout most of the time. It was a vicious cycle with chronic pain, weight gain, which lead to depression. I always felt my weight was out of my control during this time. I think this is something people don’t understand, is the mental side of being overweight. It’s not just as simple as “Don’t pick up the doughnut.”  It runs deeper than that. 

My highest weight was 384, and my surgery weight was 374, on March 3rd. As of mid- June I am sitting right around 300 pounds. So a total lost of 84 pounds in three and a half months. My hope is to get down to 200 pounds a total of 184 pounds. I think if I can get there and get my back in a good place I will be able to fulfill a life long dream of hunting wild sheep. Something that takes being in great shape and mentally tough, something my weight loss surgery will allow me to do. I feel blessed to be able to hunt for high quality protein especially with the strict diet I have after my surgery.” 

2021 Grant Recipient

2021 Grant Recipient