Sam Asghari's transformation is not an overnight success story but a testament to dedication and hard work. From his early days as a young immigrant navigating a new culture to his current status as a fitness leader and actor, Asghari's journey is an inspiring tale of resilience and self-improvement.
Early Life and Transition to America
Born and raised in Tehran, Iran, Sam Asghari's life took a significant turn at the age of 12 when he moved to America. This transition was not without its challenges. Asghari recalls leaving his mother and three sisters behind while they awaited FBI checks and immigration processing. He joined his father, whom he hadn't seen in approximately five years. The culture shock was immense, compounded by the language barrier. Sam didn't speak English, and he had to leave his friends behind to begin a new life. Despite these difficulties, Asghari maintained a positive outlook, recognizing the opportunities that America offered.
Embracing Sports and Fitness
Upon arriving in America, Sam immersed himself in sports, starting with gymnastics before moving on to soccer and football. He developed an appreciation for the scientific aspects of physical activity and nutrition. He says that understanding the scientific part of it and studying nutrition after going through personal training and nutrition courses, he applied that information to himself and he was able to transform to an ideal version of himself.
The Weight Gain and the Turning Point
After his college football career ended, Sam experienced a significant weight gain. He continued eating as he had during his sports season, but without the rigorous exercise, the pounds piled on. He realized it was time to make a change and focus on his passion for acting. Sam’s weight loss transformation and passion for whole body health quickly began inspiring his family, friends and the public at large, becoming the spark that would ultimately create the popular Asghari Fitness program he offers to the world today.
The Transformation
In 2013, Asghari faced a turning point. Weighing 290 pounds, he was unhappy with his physical condition and felt a sense of disappointment. He decided to commit himself to a healthier lifestyle. In the six months that followed, Asghari dropped nearly 100 pounds. His new physique and healthy lifestyle changed his life, leading him to modeling, which turned into acting.
Read also: Weight Loss Guide Andalusia, AL
Diet and Nutrition
Asghari's diet consists of things that are grown from the ground rather than processed foods. He typically starts his day with a cardio workout. His first meal is high in protein, such as four to five eggs with vegetables. He keeps lunch pretty small, too, with a balanced combination of 25% carbs, 25% vegetables, and 50% protein. Throughout the rest of the day, Asghari repeats the same meals as long as they have the same nutrient proportions as lunch. He also focuses on fatty acids, omega-3s, fish oils, and multivitamins.
Cheat Days
Asghari appreciates a cheat day once a week, often indulging in a burger and fries. However, he maintains discipline in his diet, adhering to a healthy regimen 95% of the time and allowing himself to enjoy the foods he desires for the remaining 5%.
Fitness regimen
Asghari says he signed up for Gold’s Smart Nutrition course, which taught him about nutrition, anatomy, and personal training. And he taught himself about fitness by watching YouTube videos.
Career and Recognition
Sam's weight loss transformation and passion for health inspired many, leading him to create the Asghari Fitness program. He gained significant attention after appearing in Fifth Harmony's "Work From Home" music video. His next acting opportunity would change his life in so many ways, though at first, he almost turned it down.
Relationship with Britney Spears
Asghari met Britney Spears on the set of her "Slumber Party" music video. He was already known on a music video, so he didn’t want to do another music video because of that,” Sam says. “I wanted to do TV, I wanted to do film. My acting strategy was kind of to go away from music videos. I didn’t want to do more and be known as a music video actor, but a good friend of mine was working on a project and they referred me to the team that was picking out the leading role for ‘Slumber Party.’ My girlfriend now at the time, personally she picked my picture and she wanted me to be cast in the music video. My friend called me and said, ‘I need you to be on it. Trust me, you want to show up.’ I didn’t know who was shooting. It was a secret project. So I showed up because of my friend. I showed up and everything just kicked off from there.” The two began dating and have been publicly supportive of each other.
Read also: Beef jerky: A high-protein option for shedding pounds?
Acting Aspirations
Sam has landed roles on NCIS, The Family Business, and undisclosed projects at HBO Max and Apple TV. He looks up to Dwayne Johnson and the quality of his career. The reason why I look up to him is because with all the perceptions he had going on with the muscular look, the WWE look, he still came out to Hollywood and he was able to really breakout there and really do any type of roles. My goal in acting is to become an action figure. I want to show my variety of acting. I want show that I’m able to do comedy, I’m able to do action, I’m able to do drama. I want to show what I’ve been training for. I’ve been doing a lot of reading for big parts and really getting ready for it.”
Family Support and Future Goals
Sam's family is proud and supportive of his career. My family is proud. They’re extremely supportive. They’ve never doubted me. A lot of family members coming from the Middle East, they want their son or daughter to become a doctor or lawyer or something that is established. I looked at my sisters and looked at my mom and dad and said Listen, this acting thing is very hard. Very few make it but I got what it takes. I’m putting everything that I have on the table and they trusted me and they supported me ever since day one. I appreciate that and I want to put a smile on their face and it makes me happy to see them be really proud.” He aims to take his career and relationship to the next level and is open to becoming a father.
Recent Weight Loss
Following his divorce from Britney Spears, Sam Asghari underwent another weight loss transformation, losing between 35 and 40 pounds. He attributed this to focusing on work and experiencing a "spiritual" and "energy" shift. “So, in the past five months I’ve had a little transformation which was losing about a good 35 to 40 pounds,” the former personal trainer exclusively told Page Six. In photos exclusively obtained by Page Six, the “Black Monday” star looks thinner than ever as he flexes for the camera. Asghari - who filed for divorce from the “Toxic” singer in August - said that he went through a “spiritual” and “energy” shift recently. “I have more time for myself to focus on myself,” he explained. Despite showing off his killer physique in a shirtless photo shoot for PETA’s latest adoption campaign, Asghari, 29, tells us that he isn’t planning to show off his new bod to any new romantic partners. “I’m focusing on work at the moment,” the “Special Ops: Lioness” star told us. “I definitely won’t be joining any dating apps any time soon.
Advocating for Animal Adoption
Since splitting up the custody of their pups, Asghari teamed up with PETA to encourage people to adopt from their local shelters instead. “Always adopt, never buy,” Asghari said. “Animal homelessness is at an all-time high, and buying dogs is only making it worse. Despite previously purchasing his Doberman, Asghari has now teamed up with PETA to push adoption instead of purchasing pups.
Sam Asghari's Workout Routines
Asghari shares workout routines, including couples workouts and transformation workouts.
Read also: Inspiring Health Transformation
Sam and Britney's Couples Workout:
- Standing partner crunch with kiss
- Lying/plank leg kick
- Push-up/plank
- Floor press
- Partner sit-ups with kiss
Sam's Transformation Workout:
- Warmup: Back and shoulder rotations, Pull-ups, Rowing machine
- Workout: Yoga Ball One-arm press, Pushup to L-sit, Renegade row to bicep curl to overhead press, Single-arm landmine pushups, Farmer's carry