Firstly, I want to thank all 98 people who shared their amazing stories. I know I said we were giving away five free copies of The Renegade Diet but it was too tough of a decision… So, after a group of us voted on the top stories we decided that instead of giving away five copies we’re giving away TEN printed copies. These will ship out next week as soon as we get your address. We have most of your email addresses but just to confirm if you have been listed below please email us at info [at] JasonFerruggia.com with the subject: RD Giveaway Winner with your mailing address and we’ll get your copy out in the mail ASAP. Thanks again to all who posted.
Here are the winners in no particular order:
1) Mike Spagnola
“When I think Renegade nation, the first thing that comes to mind is the final inspiration needed to open my own gym. I read, reread, and psycho-analyzed every article with Jay’s signature at the bottom, as well as his life story. I thought, “damn, this guy has some cool ideas, and when I see his writing, it sounds like stuff I said before I ever found his site”. Here is a down to earth guy with a cool story, insane but insanely effective training methods, and one of the most badass gyms arounds. How could you NOT be inspired by the Renegade Nation?
Without knowing it, Jason Ferruggia and the Renegade Nation gave me strength that no program, not even Uncaged or Renegade Football (which are undoubtedly amazing programs) could’ve given. I have never been keen on franchising or working for anyone else, but if Jason wanted a Renegade Chicago, I’d have to burn down or pay off all other applicants because THAT’s how much I believe in training and living Renegade Style.
As a side note, Jason and I will eventually be good friends, even though he doesn’t know it yet. Call it a mancrush or engaging slight stalker mode, because they’re both probably a little right. Oh well, I’m tellin’ it like it is.
Thanks Jason and the Renegade Nation.”
2) Marci
“Discovering Jason and the Renegade Nation a few years ago has changed my life for the better in ways that I could never have believed. For years I fell victim to mainstream training and nutrition dogma that had me spinning my wheels and eventually feeling like crap on a consistent basis. At the young age of 24, I was depressed, underweight and stricken with undiagnosed health ailments that left me in a constant state of fatigue and pain with no zest for life. I thought I was doing everything right, but it wasnt until I began to learn from Jason that I realized just how misguided I was. The brutally honest, no bull shit advice that Jason provides inspired me to make changes to my training, nutrition and lifestyle that have given me my health back. With that, I have been able to take charge of my life and start pursuing the passions that I had been putting on the back burner.
In all honesty, changing my habits was not necessarily an easy transition. Cutting out foods that I loved, implementing strategies like fasting, straying away from bodybuilding training routines and hours of steady state cardio took mental strength and courage because it was all I had known for so long. But breaking out of my comfort zone was the best thing I could have ever done for my mind and my body, and for that I am truly thankful. The Renegade lifestyle is now a part of who I am, and it is a way of living that I will never question.
Adopting these principles has given me the strength to be different from the rest and not follow the crowd. In the gym, I am often asked why such a little girl lifts such big weight. Im told to be careful when Im lifting heavy barbells from the floor. But these comments only add fuel to my fire and confirm that I have the strength, both mental and physical, to challenge myself in ways that most people cant. I dont conform to what others do when it comes to my own training, and I take that mentality and use it with my clients. While other trainers are prescribing endless reps while standing on a bosu ball, mine (mostly middle aged females) are performing squats, deads and chins. I love knowing that I am improving their live’s as well, making them stronger and more confident .
Each day I apply the Renegade philosophy to become a little better than I was the day before. It’s not always easy, but the sense of accomplishment after pushing myself to complete a hard set in the gym, resisting temptation or embracing challenges keeps me going when it gets tough. I am still not where I want to be when it comes to my physique or spiritual well being, but I’m confident that by consistently living the Renegade lifestyle, I will continue improving. I look forward to where I will go from here.”
3) Rob Labuschagne
Discovering Jason and the Renegade Nation a few years ago has changed my life for the better in ways that I could never have believed. For years I fell victim to mainstream training and nutrition dogma that had me spinning my wheels and eventually feeling like crap on a consistent basis. At the young age of 24, I was depressed, underweight and stricken with undiagnosed health ailments that left me in a constant state of fatigue and pain with no zest for life. I thought I was doing everything right, but it wasnt until I began to learn from Jason that I realized just how misguided I was. The brutally honest, no bull shit advice that Jason provides inspired me to make changes to my training, nutrition and lifestyle that have given me my health back. With that, I have been able to take charge of my life and start pursuing the passions that I had been putting on the back burner.
In all honesty, changing my habits was not necessarily an easy transition. Cutting out foods that I loved, implementing strategies like fasting, straying away from bodybuilding training routines and hours of steady state cardio took mental strength and courage because it was all I had known for so long. But breaking out of my comfort zone was the best thing I could have ever done for my mind and my body, and for that I am truly thankful. The Renegade lifestyle is now a part of who I am, and it is a way of living that I will never question.
Adopting these principles has given me the strength to be different from the rest and not follow the crowd. In the gym, I am often asked why such a little girl lifts such big weight. Im told to be careful when Im lifting heavy barbells from the floor. But these comments only add fuel to my fire and confirm that I have the strength, both mental and physical, to challenge myself in ways that most people cant. I dont conform to what others do when it comes to my own training, and I take that mentality and use it with my clients. While other trainers are prescribing endless reps while standing on a bosu ball, mine (mostly middle aged females) are performing squats, deads and chins. I love knowing that I am improving their live’s as well, making them stronger and more confident .
Each day I apply the Renegade philosophy to become a little better than I was the day before. It’s not always easy, but the sense of accomplishment after pushing myself to complete a hard set in the gym, resisting temptation or embracing challenges keeps me going when it gets tough. I am still not where I want to be when it comes to my physique or spiritual well being, but I’m confident that by consistently living the Renegade lifestyle, I will continue improving. I look forward to where I will go from here.”
4) Will Knowland
“In June 2005, having had some traumatic experiences with drink and drugs, I was having panic attacks and had lost nearly 15lbs of muscle, dropping to 155lb at 5’10”.
Five years later, in June 2010, having consistently followed the Renegade lifting principles, I weighed 195lb, with a 410lb deadstop squat from below parallel, a 475lb deadlift (despite only did rack pulls until 2009), a 195lb press, and a 285lb bench press (despite only doing dips until 2009). That summer, I foolishly ran some hill sprints without warming up properly, sustaining a slight twinge in my groin; even more foolishly, I then trained hard the next day, turning the twinge into an injury that prevented me from sprinting, deadlifting or squatting for nearly a year. During that time, I studied the Renegade nutritiion and lifestyle principles more deeply. Injured, I was more receptive to Jason’s emphasis on patience, persistence and habits conducive to good health. Having adjusted my nutrition, sleep and training (I now stop 2-3 reps short of failure), I have now exceeded some of my PBs – this time without a belt.
Besides the satisfaction of slowly but steadily fulfilling my athletic potential, being a member of the Renegade Nation has, I am sure, meant I have had zero days off sick from work in the last year. I’m a schoolteacher, so my knowledge about training has also increased my job satisfaction by allowing me to get involved in sports more fully: I will soon be taking my CSCS qualification. An important secondary benefit, though, is that the Renegade mindset – discipline, determination, dedication – has improved my ability to stick with hard tasks. My first teaching job, when I was training, was at a rough school. A few kids were on trial for murder. My experienced mentor quit by lunchtime on the first day. I stayed for nearly three years. Accustomed to doing my household chores, putting my kids to bed and then deadlifting in the freezing cold by candlelight in my garden shed, I was ready to, as Jason says, hoist the black flag and stick with it. The old-school lifters, whom Jason often mentions, were on to something when they used to stress that strength training builds a strong person.
Being able to help other people has satisfying, too. I met one my best friends by responding to his request for help with his training and sharing with him what Jason had taught me. He’s now one of the strongest guys in his gym, and it’s a pleasure to see him now helping other people in turn.
Most importantly, I was able to help my wife get into great shape within months of her giving birth to our third child. And it’s given her the confidence to start working on the singing career she’s always dreamed of. Last week, she performed in front of 2000 people.”
5) Dan
“When I started reading Renegade I had a chest like a wet blanket. It was saggin down like an old broad. I started eating and training the Renegade way and really built my chest up. My strength has also gone up tenfold. This awning at work fell down on this old broad in the street. The dogs were pissin on her and everything. I had the strength (from Renegade) to pull that sucker off of her. I’m a real ham now, so I’m thinking about entering tournaments. My grandfather used to punch out horses, so I come from a tough background.
Renegade also taught me to embrace the minimalist lifestyle. Now every time I go out I don’t bring all my shoes and glasses with me, so I have them.
The only thing missing from Renegade Nation is a recipe for spicy lamby nipple chops.”
6) Jason
“I have devoured Jason’s material for many years, and have achieved great success with them. I have a very athletic background, earned a full ride scholarship playing basketball, and fortunately can decipher great knowledge vs. the crap out there. After ballooning up to 278lbs (I’m 6”6)…I am now back down to 228lbs (but have about 15lbs to go) thanks to Jason’s programs, articles and blogs. Also, I always hid behind the “I’m too tall/heavy” to do pull ups. With Jason’s help…I’m now not only doing pull-ups, but I’ve just started adding weight to my waist to do so!
Jason is a straight shooter, and his programs are always efficient, with no garbage filler exercises. If you follow his programs, they’re designed to push your body to grow, yet they back off just perfectly to prevent overtraining and continue your gains. I have purchased multiple programs of his over the years, and am also in my second year of Renegade IC membership. I’ve followed the 6 meal plans etc. over the years, and have overanalyzed every detail of my training and nutrition.
This is where I loved one of his programs in particular – Minimalist Training. He took all the thinking out of this one. Just bring your attitude to put in some work, follow one of the many programs, and the results will follow. This is why I’m looking forward so much to the Renegade Diet. It sounds easy to follow, and the results I’m sure…as with all his quality products – WILL FOLLOW! IF…you do the work. I have my own business, and am pretty heavy into self-growth books, programs, etc. So much so…that I overanalyze, and in the past have come up with the most elaborate, (and usually most complex) way of doing things. I didn’t do this on purpose, but was just trying to combine everything I’d read for the greatest results.
Reading, and APPLYING the programs in Minimalist Training opened my eyes to other ways of simplifying my business and my life. Doing so has given me the motivation to completely simplify my life and my business, and to just focus on “the simplest and quickest way” to achieve an objective. This is why I’m looking forward to the Renegade Diet so much! Just tell me what to put in my pie-hole, and what not to. No frills…I’m done with that shit! Gimme the results maaan!!
*** Also…his writing is transparent and from the heart. Read some of the most popular blog posts off to the side if you haven’t already! Dude puts it out there! Continued success to you Jason!”
7) Kenneth
“HI Jay i’d just like to say i’m a big fan of your’s and it’s really exciting to hear about the renegade diet and all the new stuff
My story is quite simple,i was a marine serving in Iraq till 2004 when my i lost my left leg in combat,i really gave up on life and let everything slide away,i actually saw my whole life just crumble in front of me,dad died the next year and typically life had just gone to hell.Being an enthusiast of the iron game was really not the first thing in mind anymore.Couple of years ago when you launched muscle gaining secrets,reading you’re own personal hardships filled me with just the right amount of blood and guts to get going again,till now you just showed me why i wasted my time regretting and what i should of done,and it’s a blessing that i know who is Jason Ferrugia.The renegade nation and lifestyle as a whole has been one of the chief reasons that gets me up in the morning ready to tackle all the shit the world can throw.I may have one leg but you and the renegade lifestyle has given me the spirit of a lion.”
8) Chris Cheeseman
“Like many, I found the Renegade Nation among a multitude of programs and advice when starting my quest for strength and conditioning. What stood out about this way of life, was just that. It is a way of life, not a program. It is an attitude and an approach to everything, not just your time in the gym. This is also real.
As with so many things, simpler is better; it certainly isn’t easy, by any stretch of the imagination, but it is simple. Simple theories, simple rules to live by and simple to replicate across every aspect of your life. It was this honest, simple “work hard and the basics and see the transformation happen” approach that drew me in and got me hungry for more. While I may not be the most active participant on forums, walls or blog posts, I am constantly drawn back to the Renegade Nation to see what’s next or to remind me of what I may have forgotten.
Simple, focused, effective and my favorite – Renegade. Jay keep up the great work, we’re all better for you doing what you do.”
9) Greg Preliasco
“When I was 19, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and underwent surgery to have my thyroid removed. Every morning, I take a pill that controls my metabolism (also energy levels, etc). In order to discourage my body from creating any thyroid cells, it is a fast metabolism. The dosage has been adjusted countless times over the first couple of years and has only recently stayed put. I have always been skinny, but after the surgery and subsequent treatments, I found myself at six feet tall and roughly 140 pounds.
While all of this was going on, I was at school in a very difficult engineering program. My energy levels and general spirits were at an all-time low… I was (and still am) supposed to be in the prime of my life. My build was pretty embarrassing, so once I physically felt close to normal on a regular basis, I decided to do something about it. After training in ineffective ways for a while, I stumbled across your work and went through the Muscle Gaining Secrets program. Next, I dabbled in 3XM and am back to MGS. My weight is now around 175.
Training the Renegade way has given me something to constantly strive towards. I have now started my career, and looking forward to training gets me through long days at the office. The principles of Renegade Nation have given me something to pursue for life, something that I truly care about, and a way to challenge myself on a regular basis. Reading your articles, I know that nutrition is a huge part of the equation; I feel this is especially true in my situation. Nutrition is definitely the part of my Renegade lifestyle that I feel needs to improve, because it is just not where it should be. The Renegade Diet is exactly what I need. My progress seems to have stalled lately around 175 pounds, but I am nowhere near done and I know I can do much more. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from you, it’s that being average just does not cut it.”
10) Michael Hodge
“Id first like to thank you Jason, for founding the Renegade nation and for giving me a completely different perspective on training and dieting. But what I have really come to learn from all of your teachings is the fact that HARD WORK AND EFFORT can’t be replaced by anything. This philosophy does not just apply to training, it applies to every aspect in life and I have to thank you for motivating me to do such a thing.
I have been training (or so I thought before I discovered RN) for about 3 years. I joined my local gym here in southern California and befriended a professional body builder. I was so inspired by his physique and his workout regiment and I started to train with him. We were going 6 days a week hard, using isolation methods and using the classic “bodybuilder” approach. I spent nearly 2 and a half years using the routine foolishly thinking I would somehow grow to be a 220 pound animal with 2 percent body fat. I have never been so wrong in my life. Like most other professional bodybuilders he of course used steroids. I have to admit that I was so desperate for a major physique changed that I tried a few cycles of what a “hardgainer” should use. This just made my situation 100 times worse. I essentially gave up after 2 and a half years. I grew sick and tired of hearing him tell me, “it takes time” or “you have to eat 2.5 grams of steak or chicken” or the absolute classic “NO CARBS” I couldn’t take it anymore and I left the gym.
After I left, I joined a 24 hour fitness gym (I will never do that again) looking for a fresh start. It was then when I discovered your MGS program and later on, your website. I a bit skeptical at first, but I soon become obsessed with all of it. I bought the Triple Threat program and read over it multiple times and put my plan into action, but there was a problem, and it was 24 hour fitness. I couldn’t stand the people there, whether it was the guy using a flat bench for 30 minutes or the people who chat about nonsense on the incline bench and to top it off, my so called, “training partner” was one of these clowns. I had to get out of there.
I eventually made my way back to my old gym where “training” all started for me 2 and half years ago. It was then when I really wanted to get serious, no socializing while training, no drugs, no excuses. Only hard work was going to get me where I needed to be. So far it has been an unbelievable experience. I have made a more dramatic change to my physique in 12 weeks than I did in past 2 plus years!
I have really come full circle in regards to being a better person. I am now more relaxed. I have take full control of my blood pressure in natural ways instead of medicine, I have little to no back pain from my bulging disc, and most importantly, I truly put my best effort into everything I do now rather than calling it quits.
Thanks again Jason!”
Thanks again to all who shared their stories and congrats to the winners.
