Inspiring Man Loses 50 Pounds In Prison, Continues to Transform His Life Through Fitness
Doug Bopst’s wake-up call came when he was 21. He was high on prescription pills and on his way to make a drug deal when he was stopped by a police officer.
The car he was driving had a broken taillight.
"Everything just kind of froze," Bopst told TODAY. "And my anxiety was through the roof."
In that moment, his life changed forever and today he’s dedicated to helping others turn their lives around.
Bopst, who lives in Timonium, Maryland, was arrested after the police officer found $2000 and a half pound of marijuana in his trunk.
He only spent a little over two months in jail on a felony drug charge but it was enough for Bopst to get clean and it inspired him to transform his life.
"If I hadn't gotten arrested, I'd be dead," he remembered. "It was just a really, really bad time in my life."
An unsustainable coping mechanism
Bopst struggled with anxiety and depression during his teenage years and used drugs to cope. Not only was his mental health suffering, his physical health was also out of control, too and he didn’t care.
"I was smoking well over a pack of cigarettes a day," Bopst said. "I was snorting several hundred milligrams of OxyContin every day.”
A typical meal for him consisted of a couple slices of pizza and a foot-long cheesesteak from a pizza joint.
"I was the unhealthiest person you could possibly think of," he said.
Bopst had never exercised before going to jail but watching his cellmate workout gave him the motivation he needed to try.
"I remember getting down to do a push-up from my knees and I couldn't do it, and I could barely hold myself up," said Bopst. "I looked at [his cellmate]. I'm like, 'Dude.' And he's like, 'You're fat, Doug. You're fat.'
Being called fat struck a nerve with Bopst and he decided to step up his game.
His cellmate helped him set a goal: by the time he got out of jail, he’d be able to do 10 pushups in a row and run one mile, without stopping.
Bopst was released the day after Christmas and on his way out, his cellmate gave him a handwritten workout plan to try out.
"He trained me every day when I was in there," he said. "I left with more self-confidence, more self-esteem. And fitness was a big part of that. And also that fact that somebody had unconditionally helped me was something that I really appreciated."
He was able to lose 50 pounds by following the plan, and though the two have since lost touch, Bopst keeps the workout plan framed on his wall.
Now, at 31, Bopst is a fitness trainer and works helping others in recovery. He’s the author of From Felony to Fitness to Freeand is working on second book.
"I'm thankful every day," he said. "I mean, I honestly didn't think I was going to live to see my 25th birthday, let alone 31 that I am today."
He believes it’s his life purpose to share his story and to help people struggling with addiction. Bopst also strongly believes that fitness is a great tool to achieve sobriety, and that if he could do it, anyone can.
"Aside from the physical benefits, fitness can help you in so many other ways — mentally, emotionally, spiritually," he said.
"You've got to keep putting one foot in front of the other," he continued. "Just keep focusing on the little things that are going to allow you to become that version of yourself that you really want to be.
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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.