Page 37 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2016

PHYSICAL & FISCAL FITNESS the struggle is real
TRANSFORMATIONS
Before
After
story by Ed Lepoma photos by
James Edward Bates and courtesy of Robby D’Angelo
Robby D’Angelo of Long Beach has chronicled his life struggle with his weight in his book entitled, The Struggle is Real, which was published last November.
It quickly ran up the Amazon charts to become a number one best seller in self-esteem books and on the best seller list of a few other categories, including
weight loss.
“From as far back as I can remember, I was never educated about
making proper nutritional choices,” D’Angelo said.
As a result, he developed a compulsive glutton eating disorder. “I
literally ate until it hurt,” D’Angelo remembers. He was known in school as “the fat kid,” left out of activities, and became shy and introverted.
D’Angelo knew he had to drastically change his eating habits and learn the discipline of making healthier choices. He wanted to play high school football and tried out for the offensive line at Harrison
Central, winning the starting position at center. At that time, he weighed 285 pounds, which worked to his advantage and helped
propel him to great achievements. As a senior, he was selected the Most Valuable Player on the team, made All State and Second Team
All American.
Then D’Angelo was ready to play at the college level, but that
led to more binge eating because everyone knows, offensive linemen must be at least 300 pounds or more. He bulked up
his 6-foot-two-inch frame to 305 pounds and played center for the University of Southern Mississippi for four years. He was a Remington Award Finalist for the best center in the country and a
Mark May All American.
“During my senior year, my unhealthy lifestyle began catching up with
me. My body began deteriorating and my knees started weakening,” he said. He endured four knee surgeries and a broken shoulder.
After graduation, D’Angelo stayed in college for another year and a half to earn a Master’s Degree in Business and Finance. Since he was no
longer playing football, he could concentrate on eating healthier and getting in better shape. He began an exercise regimen of lifting weights
while also cutting calories and eating healthier.
He shed 100 pounds and has kept the weight off. Last November he
competed in the NPC competition in Baton Rouge, earning third place in the Men’s Physique Category.
D’Angelo is now involved in transformation coaching, helping people to accomplish any goals they want in health and fitness. He
works with clients on an individual basis.
The Struggle Is Real
Book Available at www.Amazon.com
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