The School of Hard Gains
Men's Health South Africa|January 2020
You’ve heard the story plenty times before: skinny lad, picked on at school simply because of how small he is. The bigger boys target him, and label him “wimp”.
Thaaqib Daniels
The School of Hard Gains

Jaco Smit was that kid; but in true triumph-of-the-underdog style, he didn’t let the bullying get him down. Years later, he returned to the classroom – not as a scrawny teen, but as a strong and confident teacher his learners could look up to. He lost 8kg; but more importantly, he transformed his previously out-of-shape body into solid muscle along the way. This is his story.

1 THE PROBLEM

“At school I was always the small guy, the scrawny boy who was picked on and bullied, time and time again. But I never fought back. This went on all through primary school and high school. I first stepped into a gym while I was at university. My main goal was to get as big as possible – I wanted to lose the image of the small, skinny kid, and to become the guy people didn’t want to mess with. I didn’t want to be the target anymore. It took a while for me to adjust to training because I had never done anything like that before, but I knew it would benefit me if I gave it my all.”

THE LESSON: Take a step outside your comfort zone; you’ll be amazed at what you’re capable of.

2 THE CHANGE

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