![collage of first steps subjects collage of first steps subjects](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/firststeps-marquee02-65848f5499c55.png?crop=0.502xw:1.00xh;0.250xw,0&resize=640:*)
Welcome to Men's Health's “First Steps” series, where we share extraordinary stories of men who transformed their lives with a focus on the first steps it took them to get there (because, after all, nothing can change without a first step!).
![side by side of a rod playing for the yankees and reporting at the world series side by side of a rod playing for the yankees and reporting at the world series](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/05-a-rod-index-6584692c0c6e6.png?crop=0.502xw:1.00xh;0.498xw,0&resize=360:*)
A-Rod Lost 30 Pounds After a Surprising Diagnosis
![side by side of dan in a hospital bed during his recovery and him by the pool stretching side by side of dan in a hospital bed during his recovery and him by the pool stretching](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/09-dan-nevins-index-6581b11dce757.png?crop=0.502xw:1.00xh;0.498xw,0&resize=360:*)
The Workout That Changed a Wounded Warrior's Life
![side by side of alex in front of the mirror side by side of alex in front of the mirror](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/08-alex-touissant-index-659718dd1627b.png?crop=0.502xw:1.00xh;0.498xw,0&resize=360:*)
This Peloton Instructor Turned His Life Around
![side by side of Kallup before and after his transformation side by side of kallup before and after his transformation](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/10-kallup-mccoy-ii-index-6597040def649.png?crop=0.502xw:1.00xh;0.498xw,0&resize=360:*)
A Meeting in Prison Launched This Trainer's Career
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
![side by side of justin running side by side of justin running](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/23-justin-cadelago-index02-65a06099203be.png?crop=0.502xw:1.00xh;0.498xw,0&resize=360:*)
How I Ran 3 Marathons After Having a Stroke at 35
![matt alves matt alves](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/24-zane-philips-index-65aab94813f55.png?crop=0.502xw:1.00xh;0.498xw,0&resize=360:*)
The Mindset That Helps Me Deal With Rejection
![side by side of big hit with hit boy side by side of big hit with hit boy](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/25-hitboy-father-index-65aac5b2475b2.png?crop=0.502xw:1.00xh;0.498xw,0&resize=360:*)
Music Repaired This Father-Son Bond Prison Broke
![side by side of toby's weight loss transformation side by side of toby's weight loss transformation](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/29-toby-allen-index-65a057dd6d84d.png?crop=0.502xw:1.00xh;0.498xw,0&resize=360:*)
Walking Helped This Guy Lose 88 Pounds
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
![eric eric](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/26-eric-index-65b144b9d0749.png?crop=1.00xw:1.00xh;0,0&resize=1200:*)
How a Compulsive Gambler Got Clean After a Relapse
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
![zach wolf before and after zach wolf before and after](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/31-zach-wolf-index-65b1629e9d3e0.png?crop=1.00xw:1.00xh;0,0&resize=1200:*)
This Guy Lost 80 Pounds and Gained Discipline Through Yoga
![mike barkers transformation mike barkers transformation](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/30-mike-barker-index-65aace6b8a848.png?crop=1.00xw:1.00xh;0,0&resize=1200:*)