This Man Lost 92 Pounds to Be a Better Dad and Take His Life Back
When a family hiking excursion left Jeremiah Peterson out of breath, he realized it was time to focus on his health.
“I remember being bent over heaving just trying to catch my breath,” Peterson, of Missoula, Montana, told People. “When I looked up, I saw my wife and three kids [10, 8 and 7] easily hiking, talking and laughing with each other — without me. It was a hard-hitting moment.”
“I felt sadness and shame in that moment thinking how I had let myself get to this, but so much deeper than that. If I continued to live like this, I would not live,” he continued.
Growing up, Peterson was an active kid and spent a lot of time outdoors, but at school he was bullied.
"In junior high, I made the decision to not get knocked around anymore," he told Men’s Health. "I practically lived at the local Y lifting and shooting hoops. I chose then, at the age of 15, to get stronger and gain confidence within myself."
Peterson loved sports so much that he got a degree in coaching and after graduating, he opened a personal training business in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he met his wife.
After they got married and had they first child, they decided to move back to Montana, where they opened an antiques shop.
His passion for fitness fell to the wayside
Peterson became absorbed with running the family business. On a typical workday, Peterson often didn’t eat anything until he closed the store and it wasn’t until he got home that he had a few beers and his only meal of the day.
He stopped working out and the pounds crept on slowly until he reached his heaviest weight at 290 pounds.
"My desire to hike and fish, the very habits that I had created so many years ago, slowly disappeared into the process of building a life and a business," said Peterson.
Everything changed after he couldn’t keep up with his kids on that one hiking trip
As soon as he got back home, Peterson started looking into weight loss options when he stumbled upon a video advertisement for a transformation challenge.
“[It] sealed the deal for me. I signed up knowing I was going to give this challenge every single thing I had,” he said.
After he found out he had a gluten intolerance, he decided to try the popular keto diet. Between his new nutrition plan and daily hour-long hikes, Peterson remembered feeling and seeing changes almost immediately.
He slowly started going back to the gym and began a weight lifting routine.
In total, Peterson lost 92 pounds during the 150-day transformation challenge and actually won the $50,000 grand prize.
He continues to document his weight loss journey on Instagram and hopes to inspire others who want to make a change.
"I have so much more energy and I feel like I am always in a great mood. I feel like I have become the dad and husband that I really wanted to be," says Peterson. "I feel like I have drive and ambition like I have never had before in my life — and I’m almost 40!"
More transformation stories:
- Kristen McLaughlin Loses 133 Pounds by Turning Her Breakup Into a Breakthrough
- Paul Eulette Lost 70 Pounds By Stepping Out Of His Comfort Zone
- Randi Vasquez Lost 80 Pounds by Creating New Habits, One Step at a Time
- How Tony Williams Lost 121 Pounds — and Kept It Off
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.