Awhile back, a man by the name of Tim Hawkins reached out to Bobby about an incredible weight loss story and how disc golf played a role. Tim's story was so inspiring we wanted to share it with you so Bobby reached out to Tim to learn a little bit more.
Bobby: Tim, tell us a little bit about yourself!
Tim: I live in Denton, TX. I’ve been married for 15 years, I and have 2 beautiful children. I’m the Vice President of sales for a fantastic company that sells flooring to commercial and multi-family (apartments) facilities.
I’m 37 years old. I play guitar, love music, love people, and am about as extroverted a person you will ever meet. I love joking around, laughing, and enjoying life.
Bobby: When did weight become an issue for you?
Tim: I have been a bigger guy my entire life. Even in the military, I stayed around 280 lbs. So, I’ve always just accepted I was big. Unfortunately, it got to a point where I was kidding myself. I wasn’t just big anymore.
Bobby: What was your lightbulb moment that pushed you to lose weight?
Tim: I was at the doctor’s office, and they had me step on a scale. It wouldn’t work. My doctor took me to another room and had me step on what appeared to be a freight scale. Numbers popped up that almost made me cry: 474 lbs.
I couldn’t believe it. 36 years old, a military veteran who had always been athletic and active in sports, and here I was almost 500 lbs. I had never been more disappointed in myself ever in my life.
My doctor sent me home that night with instructions to fast as he wanted to check my blood. I remember driving home in tears. It was an awful feeling. I was wearing 58” pants, a 6x shirt, got winded from walking up a single flight of stairs. It was beyond bad. I went back to the doctor that following morning to get my lab work done and little did I know, things were about to get worse.
My cholesterol was through the roof, I was diabetic, my testosterone was the level of a 9-year-old girl, and my blood pressure needed to be controlled through medication. I sat there for a while after the doctor left the room in complete disbelief. A million things started running through my mind.
Bobby: What were the steps you took to turn things around?
Tim: My military background kicked in and I knew what had to be done. I needed to roll up my sleeves and get to work. The doctor gave me 30 days to turn things around or said I would have no choice but to be on medication for everything.
Fortunately, I had a good buddy at the time who was very into fitness. So, I gave him a call and told him the situation I was in. I started researching healthy eating habits. I knew fad diets weren’t going to work for me. I had to change the way I lived. Every aspect of my lifestyle had to change. I decided I wasn’t going to “diet”, I was going to start eating smart. This mindset has stayed with me until today.
Bobby: So where does disc golf come in?
Tim: After three weeks of going to the gym every day, I started to get burnt out and lose my motivation. After trying to motivate me with no success, my buddy told me to meet him at a local disc golf park (now my home course: North Lakes Park in Denton TX). I showed up and we started playing.
To say I fell in love immediately is an understatement. The support I got as a newbie, the camaraderie, the excitement of a good shot, or a long putt, all of that. It was like I had discovered a whole new realm. A few times a week turned into once a day turned into multiple rounds a day and so on. I wanted to get in better and better shape so I could play more and more disc golf! I’ve been extremely lucky in that I’ve always been surrounded by great players that constantly coach, guide, and mentor me. After a couple of months, I dropped my gym membership altogether!
Bobby: So, where are you know?
I’m completely healthy, no high cholesterol, no longer diabetic, no high blood pressure. I’m really proud of myself and so thankful for the awesome support group I have from my local disc golf community and family. I co-lead our disc golf club and run our weekly minis. I've been the TD for a few really fun tournaments and have met some of the greatest golfers. I’ve had the absolute honor of playing several rounds with Emerson Keith and just feel so lucky to be embraced the way I have been.
Bobby: To finish off, what does disc golf mean to you?
Tim: I owe disc golf everything. It’s made me a better person, a better leader, and helped me live a healthier life! The drive to get better motivates the drive to get healthier and so it’s a constant loop.
Tim: I owe disc golf everything. It’s made me a better person, a better leader, and helped me live a healthier life! The drive to get better motivates the drive to get healthier and so it’s a constant loop.
