Probably won't make the NY Times: Motivating story about a stuggle to enlist

Having doubts about the human spirit? Need a little help dropping some of that "table muscle" that's creeping up on you? Here's an article about an Army enlistee who had to drop 230 pounds just to get in the recruiter's door.

"Private Evans motivates me every time I see him in front of the company," said 1st Sgt. Armand Fermin, C Company, 232nd Medical Battalion. "His performance and attitude are phenomenal. He energizes me and the cadre and provides the younger soldier medics a positive role model."

Evans said his fellow trainees always ask him where he gets his energy. "I tell them I do it because I couldn't at one time," he said. "If I could fly, I'd fly."

Right now he is flying through training, and his leadership is helping him to obtain a few other goals -- to become an active duty officer and a nurse.

"I feel like a different person," Evans said. "I'm the same on the inside, but now my energy level matches my inner drive. I have the energy to do what I want to do."

Regarding his surgery- and prescription-free weight loss, "If you get it in your head that you can and will beat this, you will," he said. "Say today, not tomorrow. I won't cut off, but cut back. Try not eating sweets for a week, anything that will motivate you."

Evans still avoids candy bars and most sweets, and doesn't give them a second thought. His primary focus is on his military future. "I'm aiming for 20 years in the Army," he said. "It took me a long time to achieve this goal and I'm going to keep going until I can't."

Have a great career, soldier!

Thanks to Mudville Gazette's Open Post