I remember the day well...

My boss called me up to his office.  It was performance review time for me.  I had been at the job for a year after being laid off, and I was now commuting an average of 90 minutes each way to make ends meet.  I had to provide for my family.

It was November, 2009.

The review process didn't go as planned.  Basically, the word was, "Change your ways or leave."

In DDIP, we use the motto "Change Before You Have To."

It was already too late for me.  I HAD to change.  I had to figure things out.  The obscene amount of driving, the stress, the exhaustion, and the job itself had put me into a bad spot with my health.  I no longer weighed my usual 250 lbs.  I was now pushing 290 lbs.  I couldn't go up a flight of stairs without losing my breath.  I was in a bad state.  The worst part was that I absolutely hated working there.

A day later I left for a family vacation.  I caught up with the family, who was already there, halfway through the week.  I told my wife about it.  She was sad for me.  I was sad for myself.  I knew I had to do something.

(Note to the reader:  If you can do a small amount of math, you will find a gentleman who a) hates his job, b) drives 3 hours in the car every day to get to that job, c) has suffering health because of it, and d) can't bring himself to get away from it for an entire week to spend with his family)

Yes, I was in a downward spiral.

So, the holidays came and went.  The new year began.  I still hadn't found my solution.  Work had gotten a little better because of effort.  But I was still miserable.

My wife and I took a trip north one day to visit a friend of hers and run some errands.  The friend worked at a restaurant.  We sit down, and Shannon (the friend) mentioned to me that she's tired.  My response to her statement changed my life forever.

"Why are you tired?"

She began explaining to me about the Dr. Drill Instructor Program.  My eyes and ears opened up.  I absorbed every word she said about workouts, comraderie, 5:30am, and a genius.

I was ready.

My wife took a little more convincing to get her to go along with it.  I begged.  I pleaded.  I cajolled.  Eventually, she gave in.

A week later, we were meeting Dr. Drill for the first time. 

I instantly knew that this was MY answer.