Losing 150 pounds in a year sounds impossible—until you hear Simon Lafontant’s story.
In just 12 months, this 32-year-old from Calgary transformed from a man battling depression, Crohn’s disease, and severe obesity into a bodybuilding champion.
But this wasn’t just a physical journey. It was an emotional reckoning, a mental war, and ultimately, a declaration of self-worth.
Here’s how Simon fought through shame, pain, and hopelessness to reclaim his life.
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The Turning Point: Rock Bottom at 372 Pounds
Simon’s story begins not with triumph, but desperation. At 372 pounds, he couldn’t tie his shoes without struggling to breathe. Wrappers were hidden in outside trash bins so loved ones wouldn’t see the binge eating. Every day was a loop of self-hate and silence.
“Nobody talks about how isolating it is to be obese,” he shared. “You feel like the space you take up on this Earth is being wasted.”
Years earlier, he had lost 100 pounds—but gained it back when loose skin and unresolved body image issues triggered another spiral. Then came Crohn’s disease, multiple surgeries, and a testosterone level so low it explained years of exhaustion and lack of motivation.
Making the Commitment: The Bodybuilding Goal
Everything changed one morning in August 2023. Gasping for air after simply rolling over in bed, Simon knew something had to give.
“I texted my coach and said, ‘I’m going to do it. I’m picking a bodybuilding show next year, and I’m going to compete.’”
That declaration became the catalyst. He decided to hold himself accountable publicly by posting daily updates to social media. More than that, he created two simple but unbreakable rules:
- Never do two bad things in a row. No two bad meals. No two skipped workouts.
- The 5-Second Rule. Get out of bed within five seconds of waking up.
He told himself, “No matter what happens, I’m going to see this through. This time, I’m choosing me.”
The Physical Battle: One Day, One Pound at a Time
Simon began with fasted cardio at dawn, followed by strength training mid-day, and evening cardio with muscle isolation work. He trained seven days a week for over six months. There were no shortcuts. He even quit his job to focus on transforming his body and building his online coaching brand.
His early victories were deeply personal:
- Day 44: Down 40 pounds.
- Month 2: He could see parts of his body he hadn’t seen in years.
- Month 3: Confidence began to return.
- Month 4: Visible changes in the mirror.
- Month 6: Belief that he would actually reach his goal.
But it wasn’t all progress.
The Emotional Collapse: When the Grind Hits Back
At month 11, the journey nearly broke him.
“It’s 1 a.m. and I’m crying on the treadmill. I have nothing left in the tank. This journey has cost me everything—my job, my friends, even parts of myself.”
Simon realized he had been going to war with his body, not listening to it. In that moment, he let himself feel the pain—the trauma of fat jokes, the binge eating, the hopelessness. And that vulnerability became the pivot point.
“Letting myself feel something was the first step towards healing,” he said.
Game Day: Becoming the Man He Imagined
Simon didn’t just attend the 2024 Summer Shredding Classic in Toronto—he won the entire show.
He weighed in at 215 pounds with body fat under 5.3%. He had transformed into a bodybuilder, both physically and mentally. But the trophy wasn’t the true victory.
“I might have woken up hoping to win a sword. But I won my life back. I cried in front of my dad for the first time since I was a kid.”
The Legacy: Helping Others Choose Themselves
Simon now runs Goly Fitness, a coaching platform dedicated to guiding others through their own transformations—focusing not just on fitness, but on mental health.
“I’m really going to be hounding on people’s need to address their mental health. Because we don’t get to where we were by choosing hard battles—and now, I’m asking people to choose one.”
His message is simple but powerful: You are not alone. You are not broken. You are not your past.
“If you decide to actually choose yourself for once in your life, only good things are coming.”
Simon’s journey proves that transformation isn’t just about weight—it’s about reclaiming your identity, your purpose, and your power. Whether you have 20 pounds to lose or 200, the first step is choosing you.
