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New Year’s resolutions can temporarily change the lives of many, but for Senior Airman Jeremy Pellot, his 2013 aspirations changed him for far beyond that year.
Pellot, 86th Airlift Wing general law paralegal, not only advises and assists Airmen in the realm of the military legal system, but continues to be a 24/7 Airman with his drive to be physically fit.
“I never thought about competing,” he said. “But why not? There are very few things that can stop me from achieving my goals as long as I believe in myself and keep going.”
Senior Airman Jeremey Pellot (middle), 86th Airlift Wing general law paralegal, poses for a photo after winning first place in a Miami Pro bodybuilding competition Nov. 23 in Herts, United Kingdom. With his first-place win, Pellot received professional status in the Miami Pro organization.
For about three months, Pellot trained with a co-worker in the gym to get in shape, but it got more serious when he met his bodybuilding mentor during his prior assignment at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.
In 2013, only six months after setting a New Year’s resolution to get in shape and shedding more than 50 pounds, Pellot competed in his first National Physique Committee Gold’s Classic bodybuilding competition in Wilmington, North Carolina, where he placed second.
With perseverance and discipline, Pellot set a goal that he never before had in mind for himself. From dieting to training tips, Pellot followed his trainer’s protocol word-for-word consistently until his first show.
“After that conversation, I went home and told my wife that I needed to start my diet the next day,” Pellot said. “That was at midnight. She thought I was crazy and asked what was going on, and I told her I needed to start right now to reach my goal. After helping me cook and prepare my meals for a while, she took over my food preparation when she saw that I didn’t have the time with my busy work and training schedule.”
Pellot’s newly discovered passion motivated him to reach his personal best. With that, he not only took the time to improve himself but also to inspire others and help his wingmen live up to the standards of Air Force fitness.
After his first contest he was more motivated to take first. After another year of training and improving his physique, he decided he wanted to step on stage again in the U.K.
Nearly two years after deciding to change his lifestyle to a healthier one, Pellot competed in his second bodybuilding competition, which earned him professional status at the Miami Pro, U.K., on Nov. 23.
“Senior Airman Pellot showed everyone that with dedication and discipline you can achieve goals,” said Tech. Sgt. Holly Bambarger, 86 AW general law paralegal. “During his contest prep a lot of people supported him, and in turn they were motivated by him to improve themselves. People have come to rely on him for diet and exercise advice as well as honest feedback on their current conditioning plans and progress. I am one of those people, as I went to him for help with a meal plan for my own fitness goals.”
Having the continued support from peers played a crucial role in success and determination, he said.
“It was harder this time, but people around me kept me motivated with their support,” Pellot said. “Everyone in my office, at home and in the gym played a huge part. They had all predicted that I would take first place, so I felt like I couldn’t let people down who were expecting so much out of me.”
Out of all of the people who supported him on his way to victory, Pellot’s wife was his biggest supporter.
“I was ecstatic watching him on stage,” said Pellot’s wife, Natalia. “I know how rewarding it is for him to win, especially after all the hard work he put into his contest prep. He lives for
bodybuilding, and I truly believe he deserved to win.”
Even though Pellot had a strong gut-feeling he would live up to the expectations of himself and his peers, he knew that he could not miss a beat.
“I had dreams of taking first place, but I didn’t want to jinx it,” he said. “So I kept it to myself and kept my head up. No matter how hard it got, I knew that every day was one day closer.”
Pellot’s unwavering determination and focus led him to taking first place, which not only changed his life but the lives of other’s around him with his positive inspiration, Bambarger said.
Pellot plans to continue bodybuilding in the new year and to one day achieve professional status in the International Federation of Bodybuilding, as well as continue to help change the lives of others as he pursues his passion.
