Super Nova of The Month: Simon Cusack
Congratulations to Simon, Our April SuperNova!
Simon’s 6-Week Transformation: From Stressed & Stuck to
Strong & Energized
Simon joined Nova through the LeanDads 12-week program in February. Like many busy professionals, he had been active but let work, stress and life take over. Over time, his training stopped, his diet slipped and his health was suffering. He found himself not exercising, eating poorly and dealing with chronic stress which led to putting on a gut, feeling low energy and relying on antacids for heartburn.
In just six weeks, Simon has completely transformed his physique and health! His digestion has healed, his energy levels have skyrocketed and he’s now training in the gym five days a week - all while running a business (+ launching two more!) and raising a young family.
He’s staying injury-free, recovering well, and proving that real results happen when you commit to the five pillars: mindset, nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress.
Simon’s story is proof that anyone can make change, no matter how busy life gets.
Check out the interview with Simon
below to learn the exact strategies that helped him achieve this in such a short time.
Mindset & Motivation
What initially motivated you to start Nova’s LeanDads program?
“Honestly, I was just tired of feeling stuck. I knew I wanted to lose some weight, feel more energized, and be more present with my kids—but what really pushed me to start was realizing that I didn’t have a strong “WHY” behind my goals. I wasn’t just trying to look better; I wanted to show up better—for myself, my family, and my future.”
Training & Progress
In your own words describe the positive changes you’ve experienced since you began the program?
“Since starting the LeanDads program, the changes have been pretty incredible—physically, mentally, and even emotionally. One of the biggest things I’ve noticed is my energy levels. I used to feel sluggish throughout the day, especially in the afternoons, but now I feel more alert and focused. I’m actually waking up feeling rested, which hasn’t happened in a long time.”
You've maintained consistency working out 5x/wk and following a healthy meal plan… How have you been able to do this?
“I’ve been able to stay consistent with working out 5 times a week and sticking to the meal plan because I stopped relying on willpower and started leaning into my "WHY." That mindset shift made a huge difference. I’m not just checking boxes anymore—I’m doing this because I know what’s at stake: my health, my energy, and being the kind of dad I want to be. It also has helped that my wife and I hit the gym first thing in the morning and make sure we keep each other accountable.”
Lifestyle Changes & Challenges
Have you faced any challenges or setbacks along the way? How did you overcome themt?
“Yeah, I’ve definitely faced a few challenges along the way. One of the biggest ones was breaking old habits, especially around food. There were times when I’d slip up—grab something processed out of convenience or fall back into late-night snacking. In the past, I probably would’ve spiraled or given up altogether. But this time was different.”
What specific things or habits do you think has contributed the most to your success?
“Meal prep—game changer. Just having food ready to go takes out the guesswork and the temptation to make bad choices. When my meals are prepped, I stay on track without even thinking about it. My whole family has been participating in eating healthier which has made things easier as well.”
Future Focus
What’s next for you? Do you have any new fitness or health goals you're working toward?
"Now that I’ve built this solid foundation with LeanDads, I’m setting my sights on some bigger goals. One of them is to drop a bit more body fat while increasing muscle mass - I want to lean out a little more and feel even stronger.
On the health side, I’m working on dialling in my sleep and recovery. I’ve realized how important that is for progress, so I want to be more consistent with nighttime routines and maybe even explore some breath work or mobility work to stay sharp and injury-free..”
In the above interview Simon speaks about his WHY. This concept is one of the most important motivators for anyone trying to reach their goals. Understanding this and finding your WHY could be what you need to stay consistent so that you can reach your goals. Learn more about your WHY by reading this article.
If you're curious about how the LeanDads program can work for you, book a complimentary session below to explore how you can achieve results like Simon!
