The Day Fat Justin Died

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ByCrossFit August 17, 2020

Justin Gehrt is a coach at Kirkland CrossFit in Kirkland, Washington.

“I’ve never seen Justin walk in here without a smile on his face,” says affiliate owner Jamie Cantu.

But that hasn’t always been the case. Gehrt grew up overweight and was bullied as a kid. By college, he had started drinking to mask his low self-esteem.

“I turned to drinking because I felt more confident and more funny,” Gehrt says. “I was like, ‘Yeah, let’s be the fat, funny, drunk guy.’”

On June 6, 2012, Gehrt crashed his car while driving drunk. He had a blood-alcohol level of .22 at the time.

Dr. Daniel Farrell, the orthopedic surgeon who tended to Gehrt’s injuries, told Gehrt his bed scale read 405 pounds. He also talked with him about nutrition and CrossFit.

“I owe my life to Dr. Farrell,” Gehrt says. “He saved me.”

Gehrt lost almost 200 pounds in four years. Today, he considers the day of the accident the best day of his life.

“I don’t want to know what my life would’ve been like had (the accident) not happened, because it’s just too good to worry about that,” he says. “It’s changed everything.”

Comments on The Day Fat Justin Died

9 Comments

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Natalie Hicks
August 20th, 2020 at 1:40 am
Commented on: The Day Fat Justin Died

Wow! Amazing! Thanks for sharing your story, Justin! Brought tears to my eyes...keep pressing forward and inspiring others along the way! You are helping more people than you can know!

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Dean Clark
August 19th, 2020 at 8:00 pm
Commented on: The Day Fat Justin Died

Justin’s story resonates with me. When I was a kid... I was the fat kid too. My mom, who’s truly awesome, bought me “Husky” brand jeans from Sears because those fit me. Although I did not struggle to the extent that Justin did, I understand the psych issues he faces. I Struggled my whole

life with my weight however, Crossfit is simply awesome. Got my eating under control and headed back down. Thanks for sharing Justin!!!

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Alfred Zambrano
August 19th, 2020 at 1:15 am
Commented on: The Day Fat Justin Died

THAT was one of those stories that touches you, when you've lived that struggle as well <3 I just hit 299, down from 401 at my worst, in 2007. 50 of those in just in the last 6 months. Thank you for sharing your story, brotha!!!

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Doug Price
August 18th, 2020 at 11:37 pm
Commented on: The Day Fat Justin Died

Awesome! Strong work Justin, keep passing it on.

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Tyler Hass
August 18th, 2020 at 6:35 pm
Commented on: The Day Fat Justin Died

Great story! It really underscores the importance of CrossFit Kids and doing what we can to get children off to a healthy start in life.

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Jason Blackstock
August 18th, 2020 at 4:46 pm
Commented on: The Day Fat Justin Died

This video and Justin's story is amazing. This is what Crossfit is truly about. Changing normal, everyday people's lives. I love watching the games competitors, but nothing is more special than seeing a Crossfit community change this man's life and all the people around him.

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Andrew Brooks
August 18th, 2020 at 2:25 pm
Commented on: The Day Fat Justin Died

Congratulations Justin! From one former fat, funny, drunk guy to another, you should be very proud of how far you've come. It's when things seem darkest that we find out who we really are and what what we're capable of.

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Elaine Potgieter
August 18th, 2020 at 5:51 am
Commented on: The Day Fat Justin Died

this is so inspirational and full of motivation.

everybody has a stronger innerself that has to come out. So glad for you. You did a lot of work to yourself. Keep it up💪💪

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Wes Piatt
August 18th, 2020 at 4:16 am
Commented on: The Day Fat Justin Died

Amazing!!!! Justin, what an inspiration my man. You are going to be able to connect with people like not many coaches will ever be able to.

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