Indianapolis Riley Hospital Nurse Kevin Goode Wins Bodybuilding After Major Weight Loss

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Hey, John Gustilo, dropping in. Kevin Goode was a pediatric nurse at Riley Hospital and weighed 465 pounds. A doctor told him he wouldn't make it past 40, and it hit him like a ton of bricks. He didn't give up; he worked hard and lost 80 pounds before having bariatric surgery.

After that, he worked even harder at getting fit while working 12-hour shifts. Kevin dropped 260 pounds and won first place at a Chicago bodybuilding show by sticking to a strict diet plan and regular strength training. His journey from almost dying to becoming a champion shows what pure drive can do.

From Bad Habits to Health Advocate​

When Kevin Goode's doctor told the pediatric nurse that he might not make it past age 40, she had to make a choice that would change his life. Goode, who weighed 465 pounds, had a lot of health problems, such as sleep apnea, high blood pressure that needed multiple medications, and rising A1C numbers.

It was his doctor's warning, "You're staring at a limited future if you don't change," that made Goode lose a lot of weight. As a result of these negative predictions, he made an appointment to see a bariatric surgeon, who told him he needed to show his determination by losing weight before the surgery could happen.

Goode was determined to get healthy and lost an impressive 80 pounds before his surgery in December 2023. It showed that his drive wasn't just about the surgery, but also about taking back his life.

When Kevin Made the Choice to Change​

Kevin Goode's life changed forever on the day his doctor gave him a second prescription for blood pressure medicine. The pediatric nurse got a harsh message: he might not live past 40 years old because he was 465 pounds, had sleep apnea, and his A1C numbers were going up.
Kevin says, "That hit me hard." "I needed to take control of my health immediately."

Bariatric surgery was the first step in his weight loss journey, but he didn't wait for the surgery to start making changes in his life. Kevin lost an amazing 80 pounds before his surgery in December 2023. He did this by becoming more disciplined and motivated.

This early success showed that Kevin was determined to change. He didn't see surgery as a quick fix; instead, he saw it as one part of a long-term plan to take back his health and future.

Setting up a New Routine​

Kevin's next big challenge after surgery was balancing 12-hour hospital shifts with a tough training plan. As a dedicated pediatric nurse at Riley Hospital, he had to completely change his daily schedule to fit his growing love of working out.

Kevin's workout routine changed over time from focusing mostly on cardio to doing a lot of muscle training. He would get to the gym either before or right after his shift at the hospital, when most people were leaving to go home for the night.

"You've got to make fitness a non-negotiable part of your day," he says. "I track my macros during lunch breaks and prep meals between shifts." By following this strict plan, he was able to get stronger while still giving his young children the best care possible.

How Kevin Fueled His Transformation​

Changing everything about his relationship with food was the key to Kevin's success. The main thing that helped him lose weight was sticking to the concept of keeping a consistent calorie deficit. Kevin didn't follow any crazy diets. Instead, he carefully tracked his calories and macronutrients, putting protein first and cutting back on carbs and fat.

Kevin says, "I stopped seeing food as comfort and started seeing it as fuel." His nutrition and diet changed from careless eating to careful planning. He added complex carbohydrates to his diet, which gave him energy for long shifts in the hospital and hard workouts.

Kevin improved his plan even more when he was getting ready for his bodybuilding challenge. He changed the ratios of his macronutrients to help his muscles grow while he kept losing fat. This planned approach to eating not only changed his body, but it also changed the way he thought about what food is for.

The Competition Victory and What Comes Next​

Kevin Goode won first place in his group at the Chicago bodybuilding competition after months of strict nutrition and intense training. People who saw him couldn't believe how much he had changed.

His win in the competition was the end of an amazing fitness journey that started with a sobering warning from his doctor. Kevin looks like he will do well after leaving the stage. He is now 205 pounds and mostly muscle.

He will finish his degree as a nurse practitioner in May and is also working toward becoming a certified personal trainer. Kevin wants to use his moving story to help other people who are going through the same health problems.

"If I can go from 465 pounds to bodybuilding champion, anyone can achieve their goals," he says. His change shows that hard work, a good diet, and regular exercise can really make a difference in people's lives.

Frequently Asked Questions​

How did Kevin's family react when he changed how he looked?​

Kevin's family offered strong support throughout his transformation. His girlfriend stood by him, along with his relatives, coworkers, and the people he trained with at the gym.

What changed about Kevin's nursing work after he lost weight?​

After losing weight, Kevin became more mobile and energetic during long hospital shifts. His improved health made it easier for him to move around the unit and connect more effectively with the children he cared for as a pediatric nurse.

How did Kevin's mental strategies help him get past plateaus on his journey?​

Kevin was able to reach his goal by celebrating wins that don't involve the scale, keeping up a network of helpful people, and shifting his focus from just losing weight to making his whole life better. He stayed inspired by keeping track of small wins instead of big ones.