For this quiet, small-town Minnesotan, the latest BioTRUST Challenge wasn’t his first. In fact, it was his fifth. Yet right from the start, this time felt different. “I don’t know why,” Brian Zwald admits, “but I just felt better about myself this time.” Instead of signing up and fading into the background, he leaned in—with more intention and more connection.

A self-described private person who typically keeps to himself—especially online—he decided to do things differently. This round, he wouldn’t just join; he would fully participate. And that meant stepping out of his comfort zone and engaging. In doing so, he found something that had been missing: a genuine support system. The kind that lifts you up and keeps you going. 

It was the beginning of a powerful cycle—one that would transform not just his health, but his mindset, his confidence, and his everyday life.

Brian’s Turning Point

Over the past two years, Brian had been quietly wrestling with the kind of weight that doesn’t always show up on a scale but makes everything feel heavier: depression and low self-esteem. “The last two challenges, I just wasn’t in a good place mentally,” he shares. But this time, something shifted. 

He decided to break out of his shell and connect with others in the BioTRUST community. “I’m not a talker,” he says. “I’m not an engage-online person. But this time, I decided if I was going to do it, I was going to engage.” That choice sparked a positive momentum that surprised him. “The more I engaged, the more I felt I could help other people—who maybe were in a worse place than I was a couple of years ago—and that made me feel better.”

The shift was more than emotional. It was kinetic. The more you move, the more you want to move. And that principle doesn’t just apply to exercise. It showed up in his eating habits, his social life, his sense of purpose—every corner of his world. “It had a snowball effect. Kind of the opposite of when you’re depressed, and everything spirals the other way.”

This time, the spiral was upward.

A Wake-Up Call: Family, Loss, and the Drive to Change

Sometimes, a few honest words from the people who love you most can flip a switch. For Brian, that moment came when his daughters sat him down and said, “You need to be around for the grandkids. You’re not healthy.”

That conversation hit hard—especially as he spent time with his grandkids—now one and three years old. His grandson Jackson was getting bigger, faster, and harder to keep up with. And as he looked at his life—where he’d been and where he was headed—it became clear: something had to change.

“I used to be in really good shape,” he recalls. “I was in the gym a lot when I was younger.” Then, five years ago, he lost his younger brother unexpectedly. “He was only 50. His heart just stopped. No warning.” His brother had seemed healthy—a gym regular. The shock was overwhelming. “I really went downhill fast after that,” he says.

It became harder and harder to dig out. But his family’s plea—and his desire to be present, active, and strong for the people he loves—reignited the spark. It wasn’t just about surviving. Brian was ready to thrive.

Physical Hurdles and the Fight to Come Back

His journey hasn’t been easy. The road back to strength was lined with real physical pain, the kind that could’ve easily become an excuse to stop.

He had his first hip replacement at 49, and the second followed less than a year later. “I wore them out,” he says. “There was no cartilage left—just bone on bone.” A lifetime of physical work had taken its toll, and while the surgeries gave him a path forward, they also slowed him down, both physically and mentally.

And now, just as he’s hitting his stride again, a stubborn shoulder injury threatens to throw a wrench in his plans. “I’ve been doing therapy on it for over a month,” he says. “One of the people in our gym is a PA, and she’s been helping me. But it’s still not coming around.” 

Despite the pain, he’s holding out until after Memorial Day to make any big decisions—because he’s determined to complete the Murph, a tough CrossFit workout he takes on each year as a fundraiser over the holiday. “We actually just did a practice run last Monday,” he says. “It was fun.”

Even with both shoulders bothering him, he keeps showing up. Keeps moving forward. Because that’s what this chapter of his story is about—not perfection, but persistence.

Goals That Sparked Action

Going into the Challenge, Brian didn’t just want to participate—he wanted to push himself. “One of my goals was to be one of the top three finishers,” he says. “I also really wanted to complete ALL the mini challenges. And, I wanted to lose 20 pounds during this Challenge. Most of all, I wanted to get my habits back on track.”

The theme of the Challenge—Healthy Habits in Motion—couldn’t have been a better fit. “It was really funny,” he says. “My wife laughed when I showed her the name of the Challenge because I had just been talking about wanting to reset my habits and kickstart weight loss.” The timing felt right, and so did the mission.

This time, the goals weren’t just about the number on the scale. They were about reclaiming habits and momentum. He wanted to feel like himself again—someone strong, capable, and in control of his health. And by staying focused on those goals day by day, that’s exactly what he started to do.

Even though he couldn’t always make the live calls with Coach Tim, the BioTRUST community played a huge role in his transformation. The tips and insights from the Coaches from the BioTRUST blog were consistently solid. “A lot of it reinforced what I already knew,” he says, “but it’s always good information. And you’re never too old to learn new things.”

But what surprised him most was the online community itself. “There’s kind of a core group—Melinda, Eric, Jeffrey, Kristine, and more—who are always uplifting each other and sharing ideas,” he says. “Even the random supportive thoughts are quite helpful.”

Unlike other online spaces where negativity can creep in, the BioTRUST VIP group is different. No drama, shaming, or even the need to “police” the content. “It’s so positive, and that makes a difference.”

Tools That Helped: Products and Routines

Consistency was key—and so were the tools that helped him stay on track.

“I recommend every BioTRUST product I’ve used,” Brian says. His daily routine includes MetaboBoost with lunch and Ageless Multi-Collagen with his morning coffee—something he credits for helping his skin, nails, and hair. “I just started using the Multi-Collagen + Keto too. I’m trying that for the next few months.”

When it comes to protein, variety keeps things interesting. He’s stocked up on numerous flavors of Low Carb Multi-Protein and Low Carb Lite, including chocolate peanut butter, milk chocolate, café mocha, salted caramel, and unflavored. “You can mix and match. I make chocolate peanut butter mochas, salted caramel mochas… you can come up with like 30 flavors. I like variety because I’ll sometimes do two shakes a day for a week, every couple of months.”

His workouts are powered by what he calls his “Purple Power” drink—a mix of Ageless Muscle, MetaboGreens, and Eternal Reds that he drinks during the 45-minute drive from his office to the gym.

These small habits add up. With the right products and the right plan, he’s built a routine that fuels his body—and his progress.

Life Now: What’s Changed

The progress isn’t just something Brian sees in the mirror (or his before and after images)—it’s something he feels in everyday life.

Simple things that used to leave him winded or uncomfortable now feel easier, even enjoyable. Tying his shoes, picking things up off the floor, or getting things out from under the couch… Those used to be tough. Now Brian can do them without thinking about it.

He’s noticed the difference while tackling seasonal chores too—like getting the boat ready for summer, climbing in and out of the attic to swap out seasonal storage, and handling lawn maintenance. “I’m in much better shape. I don’t get winded like I used to,” he says. “And I’m happier about going to the gym now.”

But what really drives it home is how much easier it is to play. Especially with his grandson. “I can get up and down off the floor with him. I can chase him around.” Brian’s no longer relegated to the sidelines. He’s back in the game. It’s these functional, real-world wins that show just how far he’s come—and why he’s not turning back.

What’s Next: Looking Ahead

“I’m happy, but I’m not satisfied.” That’s how Brian sums it up. The Challenge may be over, but the journey is far from done. Now, with 20 pounds down and stronger habits in place, he’s set his sights on the next goal: another 15 pounds—or at least one more shirt size—by July 5. “We’re going on vacation then, and I’ve got a few shirts I’d love to wear more comfortably,” he says.

In fact, he’s already broken into some favorites he hadn’t worn since 2022. But he’s not stopping there. “It’s more about how I feel in my clothes than the number on the scale.”

With momentum on his side and goals that truly matter to him, he’s ready for whatever comes next.

Words of Wisdom

“If I can do it, you can do it.” That’s his message to anyone just getting started—or taking the next step. Because he knows what it’s like to try and not quite get there. To carry extra weight not just physically, but mentally. But he also knows what happens when you stop expecting perfection and simply begin.

“Don’t try to do too much too fast,” he says. “You didn’t get this way overnight. I didn’t gain 80 pounds overnight, and I’m not going to lose it overnight either.”

That shift in mindset changed everything. It allowed him to focus on small, consistent changes, rather than chasing quick fixes. And little by little, those changes added up. In fact, in addition to placing in the top 3, just after the Challenge ended, he officially hit his first goal: 20 pounds down. A hard-earned milestone. But this is just the beginning for Brian.

His advice? Be patient. Be realistic. Find your people. And don’t be afraid to try again.

“You might not succeed on your first Challenge. I didn’t,” he says. “But it works. You can see the difference in my before and after photos. And more importantly—I feel the difference.”