The Journey of John New.

"My name is John New, and I am a junk food addict."

That was the story for most of my life.

Growing up in the suburbs of Philly in a lower-middle-class family, we lived on the Standard American Diet (SAD): powdered mac and cheese, boxed and processed foods, mountains of candy, and 72-ounce sodas. I was a sugar addict.

I felt run-down and mediocre most of my life and never knew why.

Then I joined the Army.

Despite the Army's physical fitness requirements, my time in the service didn't help my eating habits. When we went to the field, we'd trade "pogey bait": bags of licorice, gummy bears, processed foods, sodas, you name it. It never occurred to us that the hundreds of grams of sugar and processed food we consumed had any connection to the rest of the "machines" that powered our combat boots.

My Aha Moments

I had two "Aha!" moments that set me on this health journey to overcome my junk food addiction, involving my dad, my grandfather, and my Soldiers.

My dad's last day in uniform after 35 years of service, enlisted and commissioned, and my first year in active duty.

Aha Moment #1: My Dad and Grandfather, A Decision for My Own Life

My dad was both a career cop and a soldier in the Army. He enlisted first, then retired as a colonel, and he continued to eat poorly his entire life. He never had the revelation of "garbage in, garbage out" like I did. Two heart attacks, diabetes, liver issues, high blood pressure, carrying too much weight, with his first heart attack hitting in his early 50s. Eventually, 40% of his tongue was cut out due to cancer. After enduring cancer treatment for over a year, he passed away from liver failure.

My grandfather, also a U.S. Army infantryman, came back from four years of combat in WWII. His body quickly deteriorated from what he ate and drank. He became blind and developed cancer.

Both of these beloved family members and veterans died entirely too young.

While I might be a third-generation infantryman with similar eating habits, I resolved not to be a third-generation victim of diet-related illness and premature death.

Aha Moment #2: My Soldiers, My Calling to Help Others

Another aha moment came when I returned from my first deployment in Bosnia as an Army Infantry platoon leader. I was taken aback when my Soldiers' wives hugged me for bringing their husbands back alive.

Years later, reconnecting with my old Army buddies, I realized I kept them alive from combat only so they could come home and destroy their own bodies with unhealthy habits: fast food addiction, too much alcohol, especially beer (liquid white bread), processed foods, and sugar laden drinks. Just like my dad, my grandfather, and me.

The tales of chronic disease and bulging waistlines from my fellow brothers and sisters in arms are endless.

We can and must do better.

Our current systems react too late and cost too much, both in human lives and resources, addressing only the symptoms rather than the root causes.

It became clear to me that my mission, and God's calling, was to continue protecting and serving Soldiers throughout their lives, but this time through nutrition, education, and fun, health oriented accountability.

I want the rest of their lives to be the best of their lives.

So let's change the narrative. It's time to take control of our health and live the vibrant, energetic lives we deserve.

Join us at 98 Octane and take the steering wheel for your health.