Humans come in all shapes and sizes, and our weight should never be tied to our self-worth. However, we also have to feel good in our own skin. Unfortunately, sometimes, our habits can be a sign that we’re not actually happy deep down.
That was the case for a man named Kevin Creekman, who one day realized he needed to make significant changes in his life in order to feel more secure and happy.
Struggles Early on in Life
Creekman struggled with his weight ever since he was a kid. In an interview with Brand New Me, he recalled how his younger self just didn’t participate in life. Instead, he stayed home and played World of Warcraft and ate junk food. For a time, he figured there was no point in doing anything else.
“I never had a girlfriend. I never was out partying,” he recalled. “I was a pretty addicted Worldof Warcraft player. My whole life was just spinning around this video game.”
You see, Creekman had been overweight even as a child in Germany and found stretchmarks on himself by the age of 10. By the time he was 18, He weighed more than 335 pounds and was bullied a lot. It was around that point that he had a major realization.
“I started to lose a lot of weight because I didn’t want to die alone… I didn’t do any sports, so I figured the key was nutrition to lose weight, basically,” he said.
Making Some Major Changes
In an interview with Metro UK, Creekman explained that he had already tried several diets that didn’t work. This time was different, though. He found a friend who also wanted to lose weight, and together, slowly and steadily, they began a structured eating plan and exercise. Eventually, it worked.
“I lost about 80 kilos in one year and suddenly I found myself in a new body, to take a second chance at life,” he told the publication.
“A new form of willpower was born, to work really hard for everything I want to achieve in life, because I started to believe that everything is possible!”
Things didn’t completely change though. Creekman was still insecure about his looks, particularly after his 180-pound transformation left him with loose skin. And, after two surgeries to remove it, he had scars.
“I didn’t feel confident because of all those scars,” he continued. “I just wanted to take my shirt off without having to tell people about my story of losing weight.”
A Brand New Outlook
To focus on the future and feel like the best version of himself, Creekman turned to tattoos. He felt they were the best way forward and a way to write a new story for himself.
“To start a new life, I felt I needed to cover my scars and hide my past. To be free in my skin, without thinking about what other people could see or think about me, that is related to my past,” he explained.
Creekman loved the way the tattoos looked and made him feel, so he continued covering himself with art. Eventually, insecurity became confidence.
“More and more I feel to be that person I always try to look like,” he said. “My tattoos were the last puzzle piece to build strength, confidence and freedom in my skin.”
These days, Creekman is covered in tattoos and has gained fame for his look. He has 1.5 million followers on Instagram, has acted, and is a musician. However, he’s also a social worker and spends his working hours helping refugees learn in German schools.
“I believe that everything is achievable. You just need to find what you really want and who you really want to be in life,” he added. “Everything between you and your dream is just willpower and discipline.”
Investing in Ourselves
This man’s story is inspiring because he went from one physical extreme to the other. It’s a heartwarming reminder that hard work, willpower, and discipline do pay off. But that’s applicable to all areas of life, not just our looks.
Our weight doesn’t define us, but we also have the power to pursue change. We have the power to pursue that dream job, invest in powerful friendships, find a chosen family, or learn a hobby that makes our hearts happy.
The most important lesson in this story is that we all need to take time to invest in ourselves. Life can get busy, sure, but we’ve all only got one life to live.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.