Matt Manning got frustrated with his state of fitness, so he decided to take action. He signed up to take a transformation challenge on bodybuilding.com, and now he is reaping the benefit of his labors. Like most men of his age, the 45-year-old took a cold hard look at his life and decided something had to give.

“There were two main things; one was my health. I had had a few health scares, where I passed out, had to go to the ER by ambulance. Also I had some chest pains six months later and then my dad had to have a heart valve transplant. So that really woke me up,” he tells wdtn.com. Manning went on to lose 40 pounds over four months and got ripped in the process, winning the challenge and netting $50,000 in the process.

If you are in a similar position where Matt found himself before taking the challenge, check out this news report. It might inspire you to start your own journey to fitness. Remember that May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month (follow @fitnessgov to get the latest updates from the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition), so if you know someone who is thinking about getting more active, be there for them and offer to help them get started.

If you are already converted to the ways of fitness and sweating bullets in the gym and seeing results, never let a chance go by to let your friends and family know the benefits of exercise – but always do it in a positive way! Congratulations, Matt, more power to you!