Episode 1 - What is Project 98.9 and why is Leigh doing this?
WEEK 1: WHY 98.9? For Leigh Stafford, 99 represented failure. Now, 98.9 represents opportunity. In the first full episode of PROJECT 98.9, Leigh makes public the challenge he has avoided for years: getting below 100 kilograms. But this is not a conventional weight-loss story. Leigh coaches men through performance-based self-worth, avoidance and change, yet privately he has struggled with his own weight, body image and confidence. Now he is giving himself 36 weeks to stop hiding and start rebuilding trust, especially with himself. Sitting down with Mick “Sharkie,” Leigh explains why the target is 98.9 kilograms, why his previous attempts have stalled and why the real measure of success will not be a number on the scale. It will be whether he can meet a set of simple daily standards, recover from the inevitable off days and stop waiting for the perfect plan. They discuss the stories men tell themselves, the cost of tying self-worth to performance, the shame of repeated false starts and what happens when the people closest to you stop believing your promises. Leigh also opens up about avoiding important health tests for more than two years because he was afraid of what they might reveal. This episode marks the beginning of the experiment. No polished transformation story. No certainty about how it ends. Just an honest starting point and a commitment to keep showing up. In this episode: Why 99 became a symbol of failure What 98.9 means to Leigh Performance-based self-esteem and the pressure to achieve The hidden effect of body image on confidence and ambition Why imperfect action beats waiting for the perfect plan Leigh’s daily standards for hydration, movement, reflection and nutrition Rebuilding trust after years of false starts The blood tests and health benchmarks Leigh kept avoiding Why curiosity may be more powerful than certainty How the project will define progress beyond kilograms Will Leigh reach 98.9? That is not the real question. Will he keep showing up? Follow PROJECT 98.9 to join Leigh and Sharkie for a new, honest conversation every week. Content note: This episode contains strong language. PROJECT 98.9 shares personal experiences and general discussion only. It is not medical or health advice.