For educators who spend their days pouring into other people, fitness is often the first thing that gets cut. Between bus arrivals, parent meetings, lunch duty, and the hundred small fires that make up a school day, finding time — let alone energy — to train can feel impossible. George A. Stanley II, Assistant Principal at Louisa County Middle School in Virginia, knows that reality better than most. He also knows what happens when you stop making excuses and start showing up for yourself — every single day.
George went from nearly 400 pounds to the 250s. He committed to working out every single day for a full calendar year — 365 straight days without missing one. And the tool he chose to anchor his home training? A self-powered curved treadmill with built-in sled resistance.
This is his story.
Key Takeaways
- Former Division 1A football player (UVA, 1998–2002) who gained over 100 lbs after college and peaked at 393 lbs before committing to change
- Lost 140+ pounds through consistent daily movement — running, walking, kettlebells, bodyweight work, and curved treadmill training
- Completed a full calendar year of daily workouts (February 2025 – February 2026) without missing a single day
- Uses the Aussie Pro Runner 6+ days per week — running 3–4 miles at least 3 times weekly, resistance walking for heart rate zone training, and max-effort sled push finishers on weekends
- Students, staff, and parents have noticed the transformation — former students say he’s unrecognizable from his 393 lb days, and current students ask him for fitness advice
Meet George Stanley
George A. Stanley II is an Assistant Principal at Louisa County Middle School in Louisa County, Virginia. If you ask him what a typical day looks like, he’ll tell you there’s no such thing. He handles bus arrivals and departures, student discipline, teacher and counselor evaluations, lunch supervision, school-wide events, and parent and community collaboration. But the part of the job he values most? Building strong relationships with students and staff.
Before he was an educator, George was a Division 1A football player at the University of Virginia from 1998 to 2002. He’s a self-described “Double-Hoo” — two degrees from UVA. His wife is also a former Division 1A athlete, having played at Georgetown University. Fitness isn’t something George stumbled into. It’s something he’s returning to — with more wisdom, more discipline, and more at stake than a game score.
That distinction matters. For a lot of former college athletes, the transition out of organized sport is where health falls apart. The structure disappears, the accountability disappears, and the habits that were built around team schedules don’t survive on their own. George lived that story. And then he rewrote it.
The Wake-Up Call: From Elite Athlete to 393 lbs
After college football ended, George did what a lot of former athletes do: he stopped training. He ate whatever he wanted, barely worked out, and the weight came on — slowly at first, then all at once.
“Being fully transparent, my heaviest weight was 393 lbs. I take full responsibility for it, and I had to decide to do better, and that is what I did.”
The turning point wasn’t vanity. It was survival. Diabetes runs in George’s family, and his vitals were heading in that direction. As an African-American male, he knew the statistics — and he knew he had to educate himself on making smarter health decisions to be there for his wife and children as long as possible.
“Health is wealth, and I have seen far too many people struggle with their mental and physical well-being, and it all starts from what you decide to do on a regular basis. If you eat, drink, sleep, and exercise poorly… it is only a matter of time before your body reflects it.”
During the COVID pandemic, George started running 3–4 times per week and doing basic bodyweight movements. Not a program. Not a transformation challenge. Just the decision to move, consistently, and see what happened. That foundation held. And in February 2025, he made the commitment official: some form of workout, every single day, for a full calendar year.
365 Days. Zero Days Off.
George made it — a full calendar year of daily training without missing a single day. Some days were heavier than others. Some days were just movement. But every day, something happened.
His routine goes well beyond the treadmill: pushups, jump ropes, slant squats, dips, box step-ups, lunges, pullups, curls, kettlebell work, and burpees — which he describes as a “natural love/hate relationship.” The philosophy isn’t about how much weight he lifts. It’s about consistent movement.
“I find peace in running miles. The grind is what it is, and I am thankful for it.”
Research supports why this kind of daily consistency works, especially with self-powered equipment. A 2017 study in Frontiers in Physiology found that non-motorized curved treadmill running produced approximately 22% higher VO₂ than overground running and 16% higher than motorized treadmill running at the same speed — meaning George is getting more physiological benefit per minute of training than he would on a standard treadmill (Edwards et al., 2017).
Why the Aussie Pro Runner
George had been watching curved treadmills on social media for years. He’d heard about the AssaultRunner and its popularity in the CrossFit space. But when he dug deeper, one feature separated the Aussie Pro Runner from the pack.
“What stood out to me about the Aussie Pro Runner was the fact that it had resistance features and a means to mimic a sled push. After studying more about its features, it was an easy choice for me. I like challenges, and being able to just get on the runner and GO was something that I wanted to explore for myself.”
The sled push mode — 7 levels of magnetic resistance built into the frame — meant George could run, walk with resistance, and do heavy sled push finishers all on one machine, in his own home, on his own schedule. No waiting for a gym to open. No driving anywhere after a 10-hour day at school. Just walk to the machine and go. For someone managing 1,000+ students and training every single day, that kind of versatility isn’t a luxury. It’s a requirement.
Customer service sealed the deal.
“The customer service I received from Aussie — specifically Adena Love — was great. I will not point the finger, but a few other companies with similar products had customer service issues that I was not comfortable investing our hard-earned money in. Simple as that.”
Having the Aussie Pro Runner at home also meant his wife — a former Georgetown Hoyas athlete who still trains daily — could use the same machine. Two former Division 1 athletes, one household, one curved treadmill. Both of them committed to making healthier decisions. Both of them putting in the work.
How George Trains on the Aussie Pro Runner
George’s routine on the Aussie Pro Runner covers three distinct training modes — running, resistance walking, and sled push — spread across 6+ sessions per week. Each mode serves a different purpose in his overall programming.
Running: 3–4 Miles, 3x Per Week
George is an experienced outdoor runner, typically covering 4–5 miles per session on the road. On the Aussie Pro Runner, he runs 3–4 miles at least three times per week — primarily on weekdays. The mileage is slightly lower, but the intensity is higher. The difference between outdoor running and curved treadmill running isn’t just the setting. It’s the demand.
“The Aussie Pro is a different kind of run altogether, as you have to self-propel, and that puts emphasis on your hamstrings and core like nothing I have ever experienced while running.”
This tracks with the research. A 2015 study in Physical Therapy in Sport measured significantly higher energy expenditure on a curved non-motorized treadmill compared to a motorized treadmill — walking averaged 5.9 METs vs. 3.4 METs (73% higher), and running averaged 10.7 vs. 7.3 METs (47% higher) (Smoliga et al., 2015). The self-propelled design forces the posterior chain — glutes, hamstrings, and calves — to do real work on every stride. There’s no motor pulling the belt under you. You generate all the movement yourself.
Resistance Walking: Heart Rate Zone Training, 3x Per Week
On days George isn’t running, he walks with the magnetic resistance engaged, adjusting the intensity to keep his heart rate in specific zones. This is a smart approach for someone training at high volume — active recovery that still builds cardiovascular fitness without the joint impact of another running session. It also adds training variety that keeps the body adapting rather than plateauing.
“I also use it to walk with resistance, changing the intensity to keep my heart rate in specific zones. I walk 3 times each week, if not more. It just depends.”
For someone who’s lost 140+ pounds and is still progressing, this kind of intelligent programming — mixing high-intensity and low-intensity sessions across the week — is exactly how you sustain long-term results without breaking down.
Sled Push: Max-Effort Finishers
When George wants to empty the tank, he turns the resistance to its highest level and uses the sled push mode. No turf. No weight plates. No extra equipment. Just grip the handles, lean in, and drive.
“When I want to empty the tank, I turn the resistance to its highest point and use the sled push option. 5–10 minutes at a time will break you down, and I enjoy the feeling. I do these as a finisher to an intense workout and definitely at least once each weekend.”
Sled-style resistance training builds explosive leg drive and sustained pushing endurance — the same pattern used by athletes preparing for HYROX competition and tactical professionals training for on-the-job demands. A systematic review and meta-analysis confirmed that resisted sprint training significantly improves acceleration-phase sprint performance (Alcaraz et al., 2018). George isn’t training for competition — he’s training for life. But the stimulus is the same.
Leading by Example: The Ripple Effect
George doesn’t train for attention. But when you lose 140+ pounds as the assistant principal of a middle school — a building full of young people who watch everything you do — your transformation becomes more than personal. It becomes something other people carry with them.
It started with small things. Clothes fitting differently. The scale showing numbers he hadn’t seen in years. Then the comments started coming in — from students, from teachers and staff, from parents, from people in the community who hadn’t seen him in a while.
“I have to admit, the students, teachers & staff, and parents have paid a lot of compliments lately, and it means a great deal to me. Months ago, I did not see what they were talking about, but my clothes started fitting differently, and the scale revealed numbers that made all of the consistency worthwhile.”
Students Are Watching
Middle schoolers are in the most impressionable years of their lives. They’re forming habits, identities, and beliefs about what’s possible for themselves. And they pay attention to the adults around them — especially the ones they see every day. When George posts a workout clip on social media and a student brings it up in the hallway the next morning, that’s not a small thing. That’s a seed.
“I have had students say they have seen clips of me on social media, and some have actually asked me how they can get in better shape like me. That is very humbling to me, and solidifies my focus to commit to being as consistent as possible when it comes to fitness and responsible nutrition.”
Think about that. A student in a school of 1,000+ kids sees their assistant principal — someone they associate with discipline referrals and bus duty — grinding through a sled push on a curved treadmill. And instead of scrolling past, they stop and ask: how can I do that? That kind of influence doesn’t come from a poster on the wall. It comes from watching someone live it.
Unrecognizable
The impact extends beyond the school building. George regularly runs into former students around town — students who knew him when he was close to 400 pounds. The reactions tell the whole story.
“I have former students who I have seen around town, and oftentimes they give me a double-take when they see me. Some say I am unrecognizable, and that is more than a compliment to me. Again, some of them remember me when I was close to 400 lbs. Now I am in the 250s, and looking to continue to the next phase in this journey.”
Unrecognizable. That word hits different when it’s coming from someone who literally watched you struggle. It’s not just weight loss. It’s proof — walking, breathing, visible proof — that people can change. That the story isn’t fixed. That 393 doesn’t have to be the ending.
More Than a Personal Journey
For educators specifically, this kind of visible transformation carries weight that goes beyond the gym. Schools talk about wellness. They put up health posters. They run fitness testing. But students can tell the difference between a school that talks about health and a school where the adults actually live it. George is an administrator who shows up to work in better shape than most people half his age — and every student in that building knows the story of how he got there.
His wife trains on the same Aussie Pro Runner. Their household models what a health-first family looks like — two former Division 1 athletes who fell off, decided to come back, and now show up every day. That example doesn’t stop at the front door. It echoes into a community, a school, a generation of students who saw it happen in real time.
“This has all been a challenge over time, and a true blessing to my family and me. I realize my life is not about me… it is about giving something to help others as much as possible.”
George’s Message
We asked George what he’d say to someone on the fence about investing in themselves. His answer went beyond fitness equipment. It went straight to the heart of why any of this matters.
“I am proud to serve as a vessel for God’s blessings. I pray that my story will inspire not only people struggling with health issues in the African-American community, but all people from all walks of life who are trying to live healthier lives. Father Time cares nothing about your ethnicity or socioeconomic status. He is a clock that is always clicking, and everyone has a point where their time will be up. Between now and then, the question is WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?!”
George is telling you what he decided to do when his vitals were heading toward diabetes and his weight was pushing 400. He decided to move. Every day. For a year. And he chose a tool that let him run, walk with resistance, and push sleds — all in his own home, on his own time, without needing anyone else to show up.
“If you can invest in fashion, cars, and trips all over the world… you can invest in a machine that will consistently serve your fitness goals, making it well worth the investment.”
Eliminate Options. #CONCRETE.
Full Q&A with George A. Stanley II
Tell us a little about yourself — what do you do, and what does a typical day look like managing 1,000+ students? And what does your fitness routine look like currently?
Greetings, my name is George A. Stanley II. I am an Assistant Principal at Louisa County Middle School in Virginia (GO BOBCATS!!). There is no way to explain a typical day, as that simply does not exist. I am involved in a lot of things, including bus arrivals and departures, student discipline, teacher and grade-level counselor evaluations, lunch supervision, school-wide events, parent & community collaboration/communication, and the greatest part of my job, which is building strong relationships with students and staff.
Regarding fitness, it is a daily blessing to me. Being able to move without pain and have a strong foundation of agility, flexibility, and strength is something that God has blessed me with. The journey has not been easy, as there have been a lot of ups and downs throughout. My routine includes a lot of repetitions, with focus on weightlifting, and various movements with kettlebells, jump ropes, and equipment that allows me to move as I did over 25 years ago. I made a decision in February 2025 to run and workout consistently, and I was able to go a full calendar year doing some form of a workout each and every day. Some days were easier than others, but the grind is what it is, and I am thankful for it. I find peace in running miles, and believe it or not, I am a huge fan of burpees — even though it is a natural love/hate relationship. I am big on doing daily pushups, jump ropes, slant squats, dips, box step-ups, lunges, pullups, curls… it is all about consistent movement and not so much the amount of weight I lift.
What made you decide to invest in your fitness, and why the Aussie Pro Runner specifically?
Health is wealth, and I have seen far too many people struggle with their mental & physical well-being, and it all starts from what you decide to do on a regular basis. If you eat/drink/sleep/exercise poorly… it is only a matter of time before your body reflects it. I am a former Division 1A student-athlete. I played Football at the University of Virginia from 1998–2002 and take pride in being a Double-Hoo (yes, respect both of my degrees). I was in the best shape of my life back then, and afterwards, I fell off. I ate whatever, barely worked out, and gained over 100 lbs because of it. Being fully transparent, my heaviest weight was 393 lbs!! I take full responsibility for it, and I had to decide to do better, and that is what I did. During the COVID pandemic, I started running miles at least 3–4 times each week and doing basic movements to break the mold and build a foundation I could use to keep me focused on optimizing my health. Diabetes runs in my family, and my vitals at the time revealed me headed in that same direction. As an African-American male, I had to educate myself on just why making smarter health decisions could help me live longer and be there for my wife and children for as long as possible.
The Aussie Pro Runner is something I have seen in recent years on social media. I was intrigued by the concept of a self-propelled runner. I heard a lot about the Assault Runner and its popularity. However, what stood out to me about the Aussie Pro Runner was the fact that it had resistance features and a means to mimic a sled push. After studying more about its features, it was an easy choice for me. I like challenges, and being able to just get on the runner and GO was something that I wanted to explore for myself. My wife is also a former Division 1-A student-athlete (Georgetown Hoyas), who also loves daily workouts and making healthy life decisions. Having the Aussie Pro Runner available for my wife and me was a win-win for both of us.
The customer service I received from Aussie (specifically Adena Love) was great. I will not point the finger, but a few other companies with similar products had customer service issues that I was not comfortable investing our hard-earned money in… simple as that.
What does your routine look like on the Aussie Pro Runner? Do you gravitate more toward running, sled push, or a mix of both?
I do a mix of things with the Aussie Pro. I primarily use it to run 3–4 miles at least 3 times a week (primarily weekdays). I am used to running outside, covering 4–5 miles each run. The Aussie Pro is a different kind of run altogether, as you have to self-propel, and that puts emphasis on your hamstrings and core like nothing I have ever experienced while running. I also use it to walk with resistance, changing the intensity to keep my heart rate in specific zones. I walk 3 times each week, if not more. It just depends. When I want to empty the tank, I turn the resistance to its highest point and use the sled push option. 5–10 minutes at a time will break you down, and I enjoy the feeling. I do these as a finisher to an intense workout and definitely at least once each weekend.
As someone who works with young people every day, has your commitment to fitness influenced any of your students or staff?
I have to admit, the students, teachers & staff, and parents have paid a lot of compliments lately, and it means a great deal to me. Months ago, I did not see what they were talking about, but my clothes started fitting differently, and the scale revealed numbers that made all of the consistency worthwhile. I have had students say they have seen clips of me on social media, and some have actually asked me how they can get in better shape like me. That is very humbling to me, and solidifies my focus to commit to being as consistent as possible when it comes to fitness and responsible nutrition. I have former students who I have seen around town, and oftentimes they give me a double-take when they see me. Some say I am unrecognizable, and that is more than a compliment to me. Again, some of them remember me when I was close to 400 lbs. Now I am in the 250s, and looking to continue to the next phase in this journey. This has all been a challenge over time, and a true blessing to my family and me. I realize my life is not about me… it is about giving something to help others as much as possible.
What would you say to someone on the fence about making the investment into themselves?
It is 2026, and health, wellness, fitness, nutrition, etc., are hot topics, and people have really made it a point to do better by themselves. Now is the time to take advantage of all of the tips and educational materials regarding such… and all of these things are accessible through clicks, likes, basic conversations, and or reading. You only pass through this life once, so you have no choice but to figure things out and make it right. I do not have all of the answers, but I know one thing… the Aussie Pro Runner is an elite piece of machinery and is built to last. If you can invest in fashion, cars, and trips all over the world… you can invest in a machine that will consistently serve your fitness goals, making it well worth the investment.
God Bless,
Eliminate Options
#CONCRETE
References
- Edwards RB, Tofari PJ, Cormack SJ, Whyte DG. “Non-motorized Treadmill Running Is Associated with Higher Cardiometabolic Demands Compared with Overground and Motorized Treadmill Running.” Frontiers in Physiology. 2017;8:914. doi:10.3389/fphys.2017.00914
- Smoliga JM, Hegedus EJ, Ford KR. “Increased physiologic intensity during walking and running on a non-motorized, curved treadmill.” Physical Therapy in Sport. 2015;16(3):262-267. PubMed
- Alcaraz PE, Carlos-Vivas J, Oponjuru BO, Martinez-Rodriguez A. “The Effectiveness of Resisted Sled Training (RST) for Sprint Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” Sports Medicine. 2018;48(9):2143-2165. PubMed
Developed in collaboration with George A. Stanley II, Assistant Principal at Louisa County Middle School, Virginia.
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