“My OYNB journey has been life changing” – Michael Hemling

Before I joined OYNB, everything was spiralling downwards

I had moved to Myanmar to work as the Head of Finance and Administration for the World Food Programme, and I was quickly pulled into the expat lifestyle. The only exercise I got was lifting wine glasses.Evenings became synonymous with drinking — my way of numbing the stress and emotional weight that comes with humanitarian work.

I was 112 kg, obese, my blood pressure was in a dangerous zone, and my marriage was barely holding together.

I came across OYNB through a friend online, and at that point, I was desperate for change.

Everything was spiralling downwards

The first OYNB video from Ruari caught my attention. There was an honesty and energy in his message that made me curious.For the first four weeks, I watched Andy’s daily videos with disbelief. It felt like watching science fiction: sounds good, looks good, but how am I supposed to do this?

My mind and body resisted change. I watched from a distance, half-engaged, half-defeated.

But Andy kept fighting for me when I couldn’t fight for myself.

After a few weeks, something magical happened

My mindset started to shift. My beliefs softened.And slowly — like a tiny, fragile plant — a genuine desire to change began to grow.

Each day I completed alcohol-free strengthened my AF identity.Eventually, it took over and started running the show.

Without wine numbing me every night, my mind woke up.I felt true rest for the first time in years.

Andy’s messages hit deeper.The OYNB community amplified everything — I could see real people applying these ideas in their lives, and I learned from every single story shared.

My OYNB journey has been life-changing

I have lost 35 kg.I exercise regularly, eat with intention, and meditate daily. My energy levels are unrecognisable from before.

This has been one of the best years of my life.

I’ve built meaningful friendships, improved the quality of my life on every level, and uncovered personal potential I didn’t know existed. With alcohol out of the way, I discovered that I have far more capacity for growth than hours in the day. Now I can choose new areas of myself to develop, without falling into boring or stagnant routines.

I found new purpose — blending my work with the World Food Programme with an unexpected new passion:

becoming a tea and water sommelier.

Now I’m focused on simplifying my life, automating the healthy processes I’ve built, and giving myself the space to breathe. (For anyone craving a simpler life, I highly recommend Simplify magazine.)

Thank you, OYNB. You helped me reclaim my life.