Excellence Only Happens on Purpose: How John Gallagher Lost 80 Pounds

The Mirror Moment That Changed Everything

“I don’t want to be an alarmist, but I feel weird.”

In 2016, John Gallagher was getting ready for a family concert when his chest began to flutter. An urgent blood pressure check read 180/120—the kind of number that stops you in your tracks. They skipped the show and headed to urgent care and then the ER. No clear diagnosis. But a crystal-clear decision: something had to change.