Jeff Czajkowski, a bus driver from Syracuse, New York, didn’t set out to win a grand prize—or even to become a transformation story. At his heaviest, he didn’t even notice how he felt. Life was what it was. But now, looking back after losing over 200 pounds and reclaiming his mobility, energy, and confidence, he sees just how far he’s come. And the difference? It’s night and day.

His journey wasn’t a straight line. Like many people, Jeff experienced setbacks—including a bad hip that sidelined his progress and led to some weight regain. But he never gave up. Instead, he leaned into each new beginning with determination and purpose. He had hip surgery, recovered, and slowly built back momentum—ultimately dropping more than 40 pounds in just 10 weeks in the latest BioTRUST Challenge—Healthy Habits in Motion—and earning the grand prize!

Today, Jeff is not just lighter on the scale—he’s stronger, more active, and more connected to the people and moments that matter most. From struggling to walk a short distance to running 5K races and playing outside with his grandchildren, Jeff’s story is living proof that meaningful change is possible.

The Breaking Point

Jeff’s turning point didn’t come with a dramatic health scare or a doctor’s ultimatum. It came during the quiet, grinding routine of life on the road.

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jeff was working as a long-haul motor coach driver, spending nearly every day away from home. His schedule was grueling: he’d transport workers to a window factory near Albany, then spend the day waiting in a truck stop before driving them back. He was gone six and a half days a week—home just long enough to do laundry, grab some groceries, and start the exhausting cycle all over again.

It wasn’t sustainable—but it was the norm. And even though Jeff didn’t feel terrible at the time, the toll was building. He reached a point where walking just 50 yards from the bus to the hotel required a break. The lifestyle was exhausting. Depressing. Unhealthy. And finally, he had enough.

He didn’t try to overhaul everything overnight. He started walking. Then, he made small but powerful changes to his eating habits. As he began to feel better and stronger, he was eventually able to jog a few steps. Not long after that, he ran his first 5K—a milestone that once felt impossible.

That’s the thing about change. Sometimes you don’t know how far off track you’ve gotten until you start to come back. Jeff’s breaking point wasn’t about hitting rock bottom—it was about realizing he wanted—and deserved—more from life.

Taking the First Step

Once Jeff decided to make a change, he didn’t dive into a strict program or sign up for a race right away. He started small. “I started walking a little bit,” he said. “Changed the way I ate drastically.” That was the beginning.

The transformation didn’t happen overnight. In fact, it took some trial, error, progress, and persistence. But Jeff built momentum. Over time, walks became jogs. And eventually, “probably about two years after that, I ran some 5K races, which was a big deal.”

He didn’t expect it to become part of his identity, but crossing that first finish line sparked something inside him. “The day I crossed the finish line in my first 5K race—that was such a big accomplishment.”

Setbacks and Surgeries

Even the most determined journeys hit rough patches—and Jeff’s came in the form of a worsening hip that had been bothering him for years. “I had a bad hip,” he explained. “That had gone on for about 10 years at that point.” As the pain increased, so did the limitations. His mobility dropped. His weight crept back up.

“For a few years, I had hung around 230 to 240 pounds,” Jeff explained. “But when the hip got really bad, my mobility was pretty much gone.” By the time he went in for surgery in August, he weighed around 270+ pounds. “That wasn’t horrible compared to where I had been, but it was just enough to know it and feel it.”

That could have been the end of the story. But Jeff was determined. “The doctor had told me when the hip first went bad, I’d know when it was time for a replacement. And this time last year, I told the doctor it was time.”

The surgery was a turning point. “The surgery itself was nothing short of a miracle,” he said. With less pain and more freedom to move, Jeff began building back his routine. “I got started doing a little bit again, getting back into the groove of things.”

By the time the transformation challenge rolled around, Jeff had already been putting in the work. That experience, and the ability to rise again after a setback, became one of the most powerful parts of his journey.

Building on Momentum

By the time Jeff joined the transformation challenge, he was already on his way. The decision to change had been made years earlier, and he’d spent those years steadily chipping away at old habits and building new ones. The challenge wasn’t a reset—it was a way to sharpen his focus and keep the momentum going.

“I think at the start of the challenge, I was at 259.7,” Jeff shared. Over the course of the 10-week challenge, he lost another 41.1 pounds, ending at 218.6 pounds. But more importantly, he proved to himself that the foundation he’d built was strong. “Even after the challenge, I’m sticking with my program and weighing in every Wednesday when I get up.”

Winning the grand prize wasn’t what he set out for (he didn’t think he had any chance of winning)—but it became a powerful form of recognition. “Being the Grand Prize Champion… kind of validated the last couple of years of all I’ve done.”

And he’s not done yet. He’s already dropped another 5 pounds, and getting under 200 pounds is now just a matter of time. “It’s not a matter of if; it’s a matter of when.”

Jeff didn’t need a fresh start—he needed something to reinforce that he was on the right path. And the challenge gave him exactly that.

Support That Made It Possible

While Jeff’s transformation was powered by his own determination, he didn’t go it alone. Along the way, he found tools and people that helped make the process a little smoother—and a lot more encouraging.

The BioTRUST products, he said, “were a gamechanger.” He leaned on Belly Trim XP, Ageless Multi-Collagen, Low Carb Lite, Low Carb Plant, and Keto Elevate to support his nutrition goals. These became part of his routine, helping him stay consistent and focused.

But even more powerful than the products was the community.

Jeff joined the BioTRUST VIP group, where encouragement came from every direction—especially from the VIP Insiders Coach. “She would reach out to me every once in a while to encourage me,” he said. And the community? “The support we give each other is unlike anything I’ve ever had. When you’re struggling, they help you keep your head in it.”

Because Jeff works nights, he couldn’t typically make the live coaching calls. But he made a point to join during the final week of the Challenge—even setting multiple alarms to be sure he didn’t miss it. “I was glad I did,” he said. “Coach Tim is very knowledgeable, very supportive, and it was good to chime in.”

That web of support—coaches, fellow challengers, friends, healthcare providers, and even his chiropractor—helped Jeff stay the course. “My primary doctor kept track as I progressed, made changes to my medication… even my chiropractor said my bone structure had changed.”

No one can do the work for you—but having people in your corner can make a world of difference.

A New Lifestyle

Jeff’s life today looks very different from the days he spent behind the wheel for weeks at a time, eating whatever the group was eating and grabbing rest wherever he could. “Driving 10 hours a day did not help,” he said. “If the group stopped at McDonald’s, you ate at McDonald’s. If they stopped at Golden Corral, you got your money’s worth.”

Now, things are quieter—and healthier. He’s home every day, working local shuttle routes instead of long-haul trips. “I bring a bowl of oatmeal and a couple of mugs of coffee with me, and that gets me through the night,” he shared. “And I’m home in the morning, in my own bed. That alone was a big deal.”

Jeff has created a sustainable rhythm that fits his life. He keeps his meals simple and structured—usually four smaller meals a day, loaded with protein, salads, and healthy carbs like oatmeal and bananas. He’s mindful of triggers and avoids sugar and flour-based foods that once led to binges. “I really don’t have the bread anymore… and I’m fine. I’m satisfied.”

Movement is also part of the equation, though it’s flexible. He walks, swims, and visits Planet Fitness when his schedule allows. And he doesn’t sweat the days he can’t go. “The weeks the Mets are on the road, I get over to Planet Fitness more frequently than I do when the baseball team is in town,” he said with a laugh.

These aren’t extreme measures—they’re thoughtful habits that align with Jeff’s goals and lifestyle. And they’ve helped him not just lose weight but gain energy and a renewed sense of self.

His Biggest Motivation

While Jeff’s transformation has benefited every part of his life, his greatest motivation has always been family—especially his grandchildren.

“Hanging out with the grandchildren is now just so much fun,” he said. Before, running around with them wasn’t really possible. But now, he’s out flying kites with his grandson on his son’s family farm, walking around the stadium at his Syracuse Mets games, and enjoying simple moments that were once physically out of reach.

Even time spent simply sitting with his granddaughter brings joy, especially now that he has the energy and presence to enjoy it fully. “Just being with her makes me feel so good.”

Now, he can say yes to more adventures. Yes to more time. And yes to being the grandparent he always wanted to be.

Advice for Others 

Jeff’s transformation wasn’t fueled by shortcuts or secrets. It was driven by consistency, mindset, and a clear understanding that true change starts from within.

“You have to work on the mental aspect, too,” he said. For Jeff, that meant not just creating better habits—but learning how to hold onto them. “If you defeat something, keep it defeated. Don’t let the demons back.”

He knows the temptations never fully go away. “If there’s cake or brownies in the house, I just have to do my darndest to stay away.” But now, instead of giving in, he leans into the structure that’s helped him succeed—balanced meals, hydration, and a focus on protein and whole foods.

He’s also found value in tools like self-hypnosis, which helped him overcome old binge-eating patterns. At night, he listens to a recording focused on food boundaries and discipline—something that’s become part of his nightly routine.

His biggest advice? Don’t wait for perfect circumstances. Start with what you can do. And don’t be afraid to reach out—whether it’s to a supportive community, a coach, a healthcare provider, or someone who’s walked the path before.

“I’ve reached out to some people who are really struggling,” Jeff said. Because now that he’s living proof of what’s possible, he wants others to believe in themselves, too.

“I was to the point that I think the doctors were just trying to keep me comfortable,” he reflected. “I could have said, I’ve had a good life… whatever happens, happens. But I did the hard thing. And it was worth every minute.”

Looking Ahead

Jeff’s journey isn’t over. In fact, in many ways, it feels like it’s just beginning.

He recently celebrated a major milestone by dropping below 215 pounds—and his next big goal is well within reach: getting under 200. After that? Perhaps more 5K races. Maybe even something bigger.

“It’s always been on my bucket list to run a half marathon,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s in the cards now that I’m 62 years old… but if my health stays good—my heart, my hip, everything else—I just might.”

With his new hip, his energy back, and his sights set high, Jeff’s focused on doing what he loves: walking, biking, and simply being present for the moments that matter—whether at the ballgame or with the grandkids. 

“When I ran my first 5K race, I ran it with my chiropractor,” Jeff recalled. “And the next day, he said that was the last thing—when I met you—that I ever thought we would do together.”

Today, Jeff stands as proof that no matter where you begin, how long it takes, or how many setbacks you face—transformation is always possible.

“If you want to do it, and you focus and put in the effort,” he said, “you can do it. You can do the hard thing.”