I took a fitness class in high school, mostly for the easy credit/overall average booster. Also because I was considering a career in policing. I screwed around a lot in that class, didn't do anything that resembled a workout and definitely did not change my diet (hello double quarter pounder with cheese super sized from McDonalds once per week, and soda every single day!)
I then got really serious about wanting to be a police officer. I began college taking police foundations. A lot of physical work in there, and I was with ex-army members and people who had been through basic and were track athletes; basically people who were more fit than I was. We did a lot of team based stuff. Group runs, obstacle course etc. I didn't want to be the one who held everyone up, and I also knew the professors were well connected in the policing world, and would frequently watch our class. I wanted to stand out, so I began taking everything much more seriously.
So naturally I fumbled around doing all the wrong stuff. Cutting calories too low. Not getting enough protein. Not recovering long enough. You name it I probably did it.
Fast forward 1.5 years, and a bunch of research later and here I sit. About to begin SL 5x5 with a solid nutrition program that works well for me.
I love the feeling of smashing a PR. Of running fast, the point at which the body switches from "this sucks lets stop" to "this is amazing never stop". I love pushing through a tough workout and feeling invincible afterwards. I love all of it, it's amazing.