A software professional recently recounted his transformative journey toward better health and strength, even while shouldering the full load of his responsibilities in a demanding IT role. Sharing his experience on the Developers India subreddit, he spoke about how a particularly stressful year became the turning point for both his mindset and physical health.
During the previous year, his company underwent a major downsizing, resulting in the termination of several colleagues—including people he worked with directly. As a senior developer, he was even tasked with evaluating team members, and some individuals he had to assess eventually lost their jobs. That grim reality unsettled him. The idea that he could be the next one to be let go loomed over him, causing anxiety and uncertainty.
But instead of allowing fear to dictate his decisions, he made a conscious choice to take control of his life. He took a leap of faith and invested in a property through monthly installments, despite the ongoing layoffs, signaling his belief in his own value within the team. More importantly, he resolved to start taking his health seriously.
When he began, even basic exercises felt overwhelming. He could hardly manage ten squats without tiring out. Catching a train left him out of breath. But he persisted. Gradually, his stamina began to improve. Over time, he went from struggling with a few reps to completing over 150 squats in a single session. His endurance increased to the point where he could run three to four kilometers nonstop. His energy levels rose so significantly that even during high-stress on-call shifts, he remained focused and agile.
A conversation with his brother served as a deeply emotional catalyst. After telling his brother that he would be willing to sacrifice his life for him and their mother, he was met with a response that left a lasting impact—his brother simply said that he didn’t want sacrifice, just for him to live a healthy life and look after his heart and blood pressure. That moment struck a chord.
Since then, his motivation has shifted. Exercise is no longer a solo pursuit or a vanity project; it’s become an act of devotion to his family. Every rep, every run, every drop of sweat is his way of ensuring he stays alive and well for the people he loves most.
“Now I don’t go to the gym for myself—I go for them. Every workout is my way of living longer for the people I love…” he wrote.
His current routine includes doing over 150 squats without rest, bench pressing 50 kilograms, squatting 60 kilograms, performing 90-kilogram half squats, and running between three to five kilometers regularly.
His message to others in the tech field is heartfelt: don’t neglect your well-being. Even dedicating just 15 to 20 minutes daily to walking, stretching, or any form of movement can bring about a powerful shift in both body and mind. Prioritize your health—you owe it not just to yourself, but to those who care about you.
A software professional recently recounted his transformative journey toward better health and strength, even while shouldering the full load of his responsibilities in a demanding IT role. Sharing his experience on the Developers India subreddit, he spoke about how a particularly stressful year became the turning point for both his mindset and physical health.
During the previous year, his company underwent a major downsizing, resulting in the termination of several colleagues—including people he worked with directly. As a senior developer, he was even tasked with evaluating team members, and some individuals he had to assess eventually lost their jobs. That grim reality unsettled him. The idea that he could be the next one to be let go loomed over him, causing anxiety and uncertainty.
But instead of allowing fear to dictate his decisions, he made a conscious choice to take control of his life. He took a leap of faith and invested in a property through monthly installments, despite the ongoing layoffs, signaling his belief in his own value within the team. More importantly, he resolved to start taking his health seriously.
When he began, even basic exercises felt overwhelming. He could hardly manage ten squats without tiring out. Catching a train left him out of breath. But he persisted. Gradually, his stamina began to improve. Over time, he went from struggling with a few reps to completing over 150 squats in a single session. His endurance increased to the point where he could run three to four kilometers nonstop. His energy levels rose so significantly that even during high-stress on-call shifts, he remained focused and agile.
A conversation with his brother served as a deeply emotional catalyst. After telling his brother that he would be willing to sacrifice his life for him and their mother, he was met with a response that left a lasting impact—his brother simply said that he didn’t want sacrifice, just for him to live a healthy life and look after his heart and blood pressure. That moment struck a chord.
Since then, his motivation has shifted. Exercise is no longer a solo pursuit or a vanity project; it’s become an act of devotion to his family. Every rep, every run, every drop of sweat is his way of ensuring he stays alive and well for the people he loves most.
His current routine includes doing over 150 squats without rest, bench pressing 50 kilograms, squatting 60 kilograms, performing 90-kilogram half squats, and running between three to five kilometers regularly.
His message to others in the tech field is heartfelt: don’t neglect your well-being. Even dedicating just 15 to 20 minutes daily to walking, stretching, or any form of movement can bring about a powerful shift in both body and mind. Prioritize your health—you owe it not just to yourself, but to those who care about you.