🏆 Supra Human Man of the Year 2025

A candid look into the mindset, habits, and lessons behind the journey… from discipline and doubt to purpose and impact.

“I wanted to share this message because I believe it’s important… honest, transparent, and hopefully helpful to anyone walking their own path.”

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1. The Vision & Starting Point

When you first set your sights on becoming Supra Human MOTY, what did that vision look like?

First, I didn’t know there would be separate categories. In 2024, there was just one recipient, 2025 was the first year it was divided, which I thought was a good move. I could even see the organization adding a third category in 2026 for couples as the program continues to evolve & grow.

When I first saw “Supra Human of the Year,” it wasn’t about a trophy or spotlight. It was a finish line I hadn’t crossed yet, not to prove something to others, but to myself.

I saw it as a marker of personal mastery, built on discipline, mental clarity, and alignment between who I said I was and who I showed up as.

There really isn’t a clear guideline on what this ideal recipient looks like, but the goal is to embody the ethos of Supra Human. I broke it down as follows:

• Physical transformation — You have to look the part. Think Spartan: strong, disciplined, and built for battle.

• Mental transformation — Embrace the core values and live by them.

• Lead by example — Be visible in the forums. Be a helpful resource for other members by answering questions, offering an ear and supporting others, or even jumping in on a workout with them.

• Introduce people to the program — Referrals matter. I made it a point to talk about the importance of this program at speaking events, in conversations, and across social media. Be publicly visible in your support.

• Get your coach on board — Your coach is your voice behind the scenes, sharing your progress and advocating within the Supra Human network.

• Be visible on social media — Share your journey transparently and authentically.

“To demonstrate the ethos of Supra Human, you have to live it… not just talk about it.”

What was your mindset or motivation right after SHX 2024 the year before your win?

After SHX 2024, I was proud of my progress but not satisfied. I was finishing Phase 1, and there was still noise in my head… the kind that whispers, “You could’ve given more. You have more to give.”

I wasn’t chasing another transformation photo; I was chasing peace. Peace in knowing that I could look at myself in the mirror, right in the eyes, and know that I looked like a fucking savage. (Still chasing that!) That’s when I realized I was only partway up the mountain. Honestly, I doubt I’ll ever fully have that peace.

Seeing the pride & joy of others crossing the stage for HOF lit a fire in me to feel that same sense of accomplishment. My initial goal was to be the first amputee in program history to enter the HOF. I’ve always had a strong desire to do better, be better, and be first. Examples are: First one in my family to get a college degree, in a long lineage of military members, I was the first Marine, first business owner.

Seeing is believing.

Grant Brecher & Shane Teel’s multi-year transformations have been instrumental in helping me understand the time, patience, and process required to build real muscle. I relate it to my experience in business, over the last 20 years, I’ve worked with thousands of companies. Some brilliant people have taught me incredible lessons. Others reminded me that success doesn’t always correlate with intelligence, and even they found a pathway to success.

The point is, seeing those examples, made the once unachievable, achievable. If they can do it, SO CAN I.

Was there a specific moment you decided, “This is the year I go all in”?

Yeah, it wasn’t dramatic or cinematic. No spotlight moment. It was early February 2025, alone, quiet, no music…just me and a mirror.

I realized I was still playing small in areas where I had more to give. I was ending a successful muscle-building phase and was preparing for the cut. That morning, I made the decision: it was time to turn the dial.

Before that, there was October 2024, when I first started working out in the gym. It took me a month to figure it out, but those two moments, along with attending SHX 2024, were defining.

How clear were your goals at the start, and did they evolve through the year?

Early on, the goals were mostly physical… leaner, stronger, more defined. But as I went deeper, they shifted. The goal became about emotional control, inner stillness, and living with intention.

The physical was the byproduct. The real win was internal… learning how to move through chaos without losing self-control.

Now with my second building phase, I have the goals and roadmap broken down by week, with a defined end date. That includes body weight, strength targets, and a BF%. I use DEXA scans and firmly believe in their value; if you can’t track it, you can’t manage it.

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2. The Process & Habits

What daily or weekly non-negotiables did you build to stay consistent?

My non-negotiables are carved in stone:

• Train with intent, not attendance. I’m not Ben Shortreed in the gym, I’m a different guy, one who isn’t nice. It’s my battlefield, my war zone, my bitch. I don’t, or at least try not to, talk with anyone, I don’t smile, I’m not there to make friends.

• Eat like it matters… because it does. I’m still growing in this area, but food has become less about pleasure and more about purpose. It’s fuel.

• Track everything. Precision isn’t obsession, it’s respect.

• Sleep was non-negotiable. Recovery isn’t rest, it’s strategy.

• And above all, keep the promises you make to yourself. Follow through on your commitments. NO EXCUSES!

How did you structure your training and nutrition during that period?

I’m an afternoon workout guy. I currently train three times a week and 99% of the time, nothing gets in the way of that window. Both my associates and clients know one thing, I don’t take calls or meetings during my gym time. They actually respect it and often ask, “How was the gym today?” or “How’s your progress going?”

Some people might read this and think, “Aren’t you missing revenue opportunities?” I say no, because once you demonstrate that your time is precious, people respect the time they have with you even more. They know that if you’re taking a call or appointment with them, it’s important.

Food choices are the same for breakfast and lunch daily, even on weekends. I leave dinner open to cook around my family’s preferences. That said, I like to eat heavier at night, because it reduces the likelihood of snacking.

What were the hardest habits to build, and which made the biggest difference?

Stillness. That was the hardest. I could grind, I could lift, I could outwork, but sitting still, reflecting, and being honest with my thoughts… that’s where real growth actually happened. The habit that changed everything was daily reflection. It forced me to measure not just progress, but alignment.

All Phase 1 habits are now second nature…macro counting, steps. But stillness? That’s the one that keeps me grounded.

How did you stay locked in mentally when motivation dipped?

I don’t chase motivation… I rely on standards. Motivation is emotional; standards are concrete. When I didn’t feel like showing up, I reminded myself that no one cares how I feel, only whether I kept my word. My word to myself, and to my coach.

I’m not an emotional guy so I rarely, if ever, have days where I don’t want to train. I actually get excited to go to the gym, because what I respect and appreciate about physical fitness, is that it’s 100% on me. My actions determine my outcome. No outside dependence. No relying on others. Just me, and I’m confident in myself and my abilities.

Were there any routines or rituals (morning, evening, journaling, reflection) that anchored you?

I have a tendency to get lost in thought, especially during walks. I do a lot of visualization, not by design, but by nature. It comes naturally to me. I picture what I anticipate events or moments will look or feel like. I am very much a student and observer of the room when I go to events, meet people, or find myself in new situations. That awareness prepares me for future engagements or endeavors, and it all ties back into my visualization.

Besides evening prayers, I ask myself these questions most nights:

• Did I win the moments that mattered today?

• Did I positively impact someone’s life?

• What are 3 wins I had today?

I journal the last question.

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3. The Mindset Shift

How did your thinking or identity change through the process?

I stopped chasing the image of the man I wanted to be and started becoming him. Every decision, every rep, every meal was identity training. My standard wasn’t something I had to remember, it was who I was.

I also learned to take care of myself instead of constantly giving…giving…giving. It’s OK to say “NO” if it takes away from the time you need for yourself.

For many in the program, that mindset shift, of giving yourself permission to win and take care of yourself first, can feel uncomfortable. It might shift, strain, or even break apart certain family relationships and social circles. But it can also strengthen them and make them exceptional. Just know… true change always brings disruption before transformation.

What beliefs did you have to let go of to get to that next level?

That external validation mattered. That progress was linear. That being “busy” was the same as being productive. I had to stop telling myself I was still rebuilding, from the accident or from the past, and finally accept that I was already rebuilt. Now, it’s all about refinement.

What was the biggest internal challenge versus the physical?

The internal battle was patience and silence, learning not to react, not to defend, not to explain. Physical pain I could handle; emotional restraint took more discipline than any set in the gym.

How did you handle comparison or self-doubt along the way?

I outgrew comparison. No one else carries my story, my scars, or my standard. Doubt showed up often, I just stopped inviting it in. I acknowledged it and moved through it. You can’t eliminate doubt, but you can starve it by taking action.

In my early 20’s, I was making 80 to 125 cold calls a day selling insurance, and it was miserable. I’d be the first one in the office, sitting there for minutes before I picked up the phone. I was anxious and nervous; most of those calls weren’t pleasant.

One day at lunch, we ordered Asian food, and the fortune in my cookie read: “Action is worry’s worst enemy.” That line hit me hard. I reflected on it for a while and realized some of the best advice I ever received came from that fortune cookie. I kept it taped to my phone for almost 7 years, a daily reminder that sitting, waiting, or avoiding tough conversations doesn’t solve anything. Action does.

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4. Community & Impact

How did engaging with the Supra Human forums/community play into your growth?

At first, engaging in the forums was strategy, part of my plan to work toward SHOTY. But I didn’t realize how much it would end up meaning to me.

What started as a tactic became one of the most impactful parts of this journey. Through posting, I built real friendships, men who became brothers. By sharing my vulnerabilities, I gave others permission to share theirs. By posting my wins, I watched others start to celebrate their own.

Forum 3 became family.

We didn’t just share progress; we shared purpose. And when life tried to break us, we held the line together.

What role did helping or inspiring others have in your transformation?

Massive. Helping others reconnected me to my “why.” It’s easy to chase self-improvement in isolation, but when you help someone else climb, you remind yourself why you started climbing in the first place.

At SHX, I was genuinely taken aback by the number of people who came up to me and said, “Thank you,” or “You helped me.” I’ve always believed that if I could impact even one person, it was worth it. Clearly, it reached far more people than I ever realized.

Were there moments when giving back actually pushed you further?

Absolutely! Every time I poured belief into someone else, my own level rose. Because when you help someone walk through the fire, you walk through a little of yours too and you come out every time.

It’s impossible to guide others through their fire without strengthening your own armor.

How do you define “service” or contribution in this journey?

Service is ownership beyond self.

It’s not charity or ego… it’s saying, “I’ll walk through the storm first so the next man doesn’t have to do it blind.”

That’s what being Supra Human really means to me: impact through example.

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5. The Moment & Beyond

What was going through your mind when your name was called?

Every naysayer. Every doubter. Every moment that tested me, all of it flashed rapidly through my mind.

Taylor’s words and guidance. John’s messages. It was a flood of memories, hitting one after another like rapid fire.

As I stood on stage, I barely registered the video playing behind me. My mind was replaying my own journey, every rep, every setback, every moment I chose to keep going when it would’ve been easier to quit.

That day would have marked my ten-year wedding anniversary. Although we’re now separated, it’s important to note that she never supported my involvement in the program. I’m not going to sugarcoat it, standing on that stage, winning that achievement on that exact day, was a really sweet moment for me.

A reminder that even when life breaks apart, you can still rise from the pieces stronger than before.

Looking back, what do you think ultimately separated you from the other finalists?

I focused on being impactful wherever I could add value. There were guys with better physiques, no question, there always are. But this program has never been just about the physical. I understood that from the start and aligned my approach to the bigger game: impact, consistency, and example.

If you could tell the next wave of nominees one thing, what would it be?

It’s more than just a physical transformation. If you want to earn this, treat your coach like your teammate from day one, they’re your biggest advocate behind the scenes.

Align early, stay consistent, and trust the process.

How did life change afterward, internally or externally or both?

Both. Externally, there’s recognition, the messages, interviews, congratulations. But internally, it’s deeper. There’s peace, yes, but also the weight of responsibility.

When you become the example, you don’t step back… you carry the standard forward every day.

What’s next for you now that you’ve reached that peak?

The standard resets. I don’t see it as a peak, I see it as a checkpoint. The mission continues.

And come on… what makes you think I’m content with just one title? 💪 🏆 🏆 😏

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6. Reflection & Lessons

What surprised you most about the process?

I was surprised by how lonely it can feel once you stop needing validation. Growth is quiet… it’s not isolation; it’s elevation.

What would you do differently if you had to do it all again?

Document more, not for social media, but for myself… journals, data, thoughts. Because the details are where growth hides and clarity is earned through reflection.

What’s the single biggest lesson you’d want others chasing this goal to understand?

“You don’t become Supra Human by chasing the award.
You become Supra Human the moment you stop negotiating with your potential.
Everything after that is just proof.”

💬 — @Ben.Shortreed, Supra Human Man of the Year 2025 🏆

SHMOTY 2025: A Deep Dive with Ben Shortreed
Questions by Alex Bush. Responses by Ben Shortreed.
© 2025 | a-bush.com