9TH PLACE // Evan Gold
This wasn't about abs. It was about creating a life that aligned with his standards.
Enter Evan:
I won because I didnβt treat 2026 like a goal. Like I do with meaningful pursuits, I treated it like a Misogi.
From February 2nd onward, I committed and continue to commit to outcomes that demand more than fleeting motivation. I created a system that removed excuses. I showed up with discipline when it was inconvenient, uncomfortable, and unrelenting.
Physically, I executed at a level I hadn't before, finishing IWA 2026 leaner and more conditioned than ever while simultaneously preparing for and completing a powerlifting meet and a self-directed ruck that tested my limits. I succeeded because I needed to make the 60kg weight class while also staying light enough for the endurance component of rucking. There was no separation between the different demands of those events. Instead, I simply lived by the Killer Mindset standard and refused to compromise.
Mentally, I didnβt rely on willpower. I built excuse-removal systems. I surrounded myself with accountability, invested in consistent therapy, and trained resilience the same way I train my body. I posted pictures from my last meet and previous conditioning phases to constantly remind myself of what I truly wanted and what I was capable of becoming.
Professionally and financially, I created momentum instead of waiting for it. I expanded my skill set, rebuilt disciplined investment habits, and took ownership of my long-term stability. I invested more into opportunities that may take longer to mature but ultimately lead to the outcome I want for my "perfect day."
I also stayed grounded in what matters most by making time for my family and reinforcing the belief that success without alignment isnβt success at all. Life, on my terms, is measured by the quality of my relationships, and I improved every important relationship in my life.
I won because I became the person who doesnβt settle for second best. I became the person who follows through and views every situation as an opportunity. My divorce and personal falloff could have defined me, but instead, I used them as fuel for growth and transformation.
Training was the foundation. The physique was simply the byproduct.
Ultimately, I created a new identity, and I know this process will continue onward.
2026 #IWANTABZ Contest
Brought to you byΒ Platinum Motors
9th Place // 2026 #IWANTABZ
9TH PLACE // Evan Gold
This wasn't about abs. It was about creating a life that aligned with his standards.
Enter Evan:
I won because I didnβt treat 2026 like a goal. Like I do with meaningful pursuits, I treated it like a Misogi.
From February 2nd onward, I committed and continue to commit to outcomes that demand more than fleeting motivation. I created a system that removed excuses. I showed up with discipline when it was inconvenient, uncomfortable, and unrelenting.
Physically, I executed at a level I hadn't before, finishing IWA 2026 leaner and more conditioned than ever while simultaneously preparing for and completing a powerlifting meet and a self-directed ruck that tested my limits. I succeeded because I needed to make the 60kg weight class while also staying light enough for the endurance component of rucking. There was no separation between the different demands of those events. Instead, I simply lived by the Killer Mindset standard and refused to compromise.
Mentally, I didnβt rely on willpower. I built excuse-removal systems. I surrounded myself with accountability, invested in consistent therapy, and trained resilience the same way I train my body. I posted pictures from my last meet and previous conditioning phases to constantly remind myself of what I truly wanted and what I was capable of becoming.
Professionally and financially, I created momentum instead of waiting for it. I expanded my skill set, rebuilt disciplined investment habits, and took ownership of my long-term stability. I invested more into opportunities that may take longer to mature but ultimately lead to the outcome I want for my "perfect day."
I also stayed grounded in what matters most by making time for my family and reinforcing the belief that success without alignment isnβt success at all. Life, on my terms, is measured by the quality of my relationships, and I improved every important relationship in my life.
I won because I became the person who doesnβt settle for second best. I became the person who follows through and views every situation as an opportunity. My divorce and personal falloff could have defined me, but instead, I used them as fuel for growth and transformation.
Training was the foundation. The physique was simply the byproduct.
Ultimately, I created a new identity, and I know this process will continue onward.
2026 #IWANTABZ Contest
Brought to you byΒ Platinum Motors