Joey Neumiller is a 34 year old married, girl dad to 2 princesses. And a total beast. Joey totally changed his health and his life since joining Fit Father Project in March of 2023. Joey has joined us on a Sedona Retreat and completed a Ragnar with our team as well. But I'll let him tell you his story.
“Before starting the Fit Father Project, I was in one of the worst physical and mental states of my life. At 5'7” and weighing around 220-230 pounds, I could barely bend over to tie my own shoes. Walking up and down the stairs was a challenge, and I had stopped participating in activities with my two little girls. They deserved far more than I was giving them.
My mental state was equally poor. I was hard on myself, with self-esteem at an all-time low and confidence that was essentially nonexistent. Despite my wife’s support, I felt unattractive and settled into a lifestyle of inactivity. I had no passion or drive to improve, and I was convinced that my life would always consist of laziness and poor decisions repeatedly. It weighed heavily on me that my daughters were not getting the dad that they deserved.
Food, soda, and nicotine became my escape. I had been a smoker since age 15 and switched to vaping just a year before my journey began. The turning point came during a conversation with a coworker. He asked me a question that put a boulder in my throat: “If your daughters or wife were in danger, would you be able to defend or protect them?” My answer was a hard no. I could not even tie my shoes without struggling.
That night, I went home, searched for fitness routines, and stumbled upon the Fit Father Project. I started reading everything on their website and could not stop watching the YouTube videos. The approach was exactly what I needed: something gradual but effective, without the overwhelming pressure to be perfect right away.
I started my journey in March of 2023, and by late July or August, I had lost 80 pounds, becoming the healthiest I had ever been. I completed all four phases of FF30x, and the changes were extraordinary. I lost fat and gained muscle simultaneously!
My blood pressure leveled out, I stopped snoring, my heartburn disappeared, and I became more disciplined and driven than I had ever imagined possible. I even won a quarterly weight loss contest hosted by the Fit Father Project, which opened new doors for me.
In September of 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Fit Father Project Retreat in Sedona, Arizona. There, I met some of the most amazing men I have ever known, and I am still in contact with many of them today. I made lifelong friends and brothers during that weekend, an experience I will carry with me forever.
When I returned home, I committed myself to new challenges. I built my own cold plunge using a chest freezer and took daily plunges, even through the freezing -50 degree winters of Northern Minnesota.
I also committed to a long-term bulking phase and completed all the phases of the OSM program. After the first half of 2024, I had developed my own style of lifting and continued to push myself physically and mentally.
In the summer of 2024, I took on another challenge I never thought I would attempt: the Minnesota Ragnar Relay Race, a 211-mile relay from St. Paul, MN to Duluth, MN. I completed 25-26 miles in about 4 hours of total running time. This incredible experience was made possible thanks to the support and encouragement of my Fit Father brother, Thomas Shields. His belief in me and his unwavering generosity pushed me to achieve something I never imagined I could. I am deeply grateful for his friendship and the impact he has had on my journey.”
Handing off the Ragnar “baton” to FFP buddy, Thomas Shields.
Joey continues, “Today, I’m in the best physical and mental shape of my life. I’m over 6 months clean of nicotine, after having vaped for years, and I’ve rediscovered a love for running and physical challenges. I’ve also pursued a newfound passion for helping others feel the way I’ve been blessed to feel.
** An update from Joey since this was originally written… At 34, I find myself in the best shape and health I’ve ever been in and I owe it all to this program and its brotherhood. This physical and mental readiness is not just a testament to my determination, but a symbol of my unwavering commitment to something greater than myself. I’m joining the active-duty Army, with the goal of eventually becoming an Army Ranger—a dream that fills me with both pride and resolve.
This journey will be one of the most challenging endeavors I have ever undertaken. The thought of being away from my beloved wife and our three precious children for 22 weeks tugs at my heart every day. Yet, it is precisely because of them that I am taking this step. I want to show my children that life is about embracing challenges and continuously striving for something greater. I want them to see that courage means pursuing your dreams, even when the path is difficult and filled with uncertainty.
The calling I have to serve has been an overwhelming force in my life for years. I’ve wandered down many different paths, seeking my purpose, and every time, my heart led me back to this. Serving my country feels like the most natural and profound way to honor my values and provide my family with opportunities I couldn’t otherwise offer them.
Back to the original story… The most important thing I have learned along this journey is that it is never too late to change your physical health. No matter where you start, if you can move, you can improve. I love the quote “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Surrounding yourself with a community of like-minded individuals—people who understand your struggles and share your goals—can take you so much further than going it alone. And while numbers on a scale matter, the real victories are the ones that cannot be measured: running with my kids, feeling confident in my own skin, and knowing I have added years to my life.
The Fit Father Project gave me the drive to aspire to inspire, and for that, I will be forever grateful.”
**Editor's Note: Joey actually leaves for his boot camp this month (Feb. 2025)! He's ready and more able than ever before. Good luck on your newest adventure, Joey. Be safe and be strong!
Edited by Craig Taylor, FFP Staff.
