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From Autoimmune Diagnosis to His Best Shape Ever at 44

After years of fatigue, joint pain, and stalled progress, Chris Rinehart found new life through smart training, whole-food nutrition, and the Jim Stoppani Workout App.

From Autoimmune Diagnosis to His Best Shape Ever at 44
Written By Jim Stoppani, PhD
Updated February 19, 2026

At 44 years old, Chris Rinehart isn’t trying to keep up with anyone anymore.

“They need to keep up with me,” he says.

That wasn’t always the case.

From Joint Pain and Brain Fog to a Diagnosis

Growing up, fitness wasn’t part of Chris’ identity. “Fitness was never really my thing,” he admits. He’d dabble here and there, but nothing ever stuck.

Then, around 2016, his body started sending warning signs. Joint pain. Constant fatigue. Lower back pain. Brain fog. After what felt like endless rounds of testing, Chris received the diagnosis: autoimmune disease.

“We tried this pill, we tried that pill, and to be honest I was getting tired of being a guinea pig,” he says. One piece of advice from a nurse practitioner stuck with him: Exercise would probably do him good.

So in early 2018, Chris decided to give fitness a real shot.

Building a Foundation at the Gym

With little knowledge of training or nutrition, Chris joined an Anytime Fitness location in Mesa, Arizona. What he found there was more than equipment — he found community. “I met some amazing folks that started educating me and still support me today,” he says.

As he began lifting consistently and learning how to eat better, his health improved. He got into shape, and some of his autoimmune side effects eased up.

Momentum was building, but then life hit pause.

COVID, Depression, and a Hard Reset

In 2019, Chris and his wife relocated across the country as empty nesters. Soon after, COVID-19 shut everything down.

His progress stalled. Old symptoms crept back. Depression followed. “I was miserable,” he says.

When gyms reopened, he and his wife made a decision that would change everything: They quit smoking. “We were both 100% successful in quitting smoking — not an easy task!” he says.

Chris joined a new gym, but something was missing. He felt bored and unsure of himself, He couldn’t remember what to do from workout to workout. He tried different programs but none of them stuck. 

That’s when he found JimStoppani.com .

“It was amazing,” says Chris. “It had what I was looking for: articles I could read and learn from, videos to watch. I’ve been hooked ever since!”

For Chris, it wasn’t just about workouts. It was about structure, education, community, and even competition. “So many programs to try, new information uploaded constantly, and challenges … yes please!”

Dialing in Diet for Autoimmune Health

Training was only part of the equation. Chris dug deeper into his autoimmune condition and discovered certain foods triggered or intensified his symptoms.

After experimenting with several diets , he found what worked best: a whole-food plan with little to no processed foods, reduced sugar, and no red meat. He and his wife began growing as much of their own food as possible.

“There’s nothing like knowing where your food comes from and how it is grown,” he says.

For Chris, nutrition wasn’t about trends — it was about managing symptoms and feeling better day to day.

The 2026 New Year’s Challenge: His Best Transformation Yet

Chris has entered multiple JimStoppani.com challenges over the years. He hasn’t always won, but every challenge was worth it. “Life and injury can sometimes cause me to derail,” he says.

But he’s learned something more valuable than a trophy: Consistency beats intensity.

“This isn’t a sprint to the finish line, and consistency is key,” Chris says. “Don’t go into this at 100mph. Begin with a strong foundation and ramp it up as you go.”

For the 2026 New Year’s Challenge , he leaned into that mindset. He reached out to fellow JYM Army members for guidance. He followed his diet. He committed fully.

The result? His best transformation ever.

To fuel his training, Chris relied on JYM supplements as part of his routine.

“I use my Pre JYM pre-workout and follow it up with Post JYM ,” he says. “These really help me power through my workouts and help me recover when I really don’t have the energy.”

Inspiration That Runs Deep

Even today, Chris says he still needs guidance and inspiration. He’s still learning. But his “why” keeps him grounded.

“My inspiration is my beautiful wife, my four amazing kids, my eight little adorable grandbabies, and my gym family,” he says. “They all cheer me on when I need it.”

At 44, after autoimmune setbacks, depression, and stalled momentum, Chris Rinehart didn’t just transform his physique.

He rebuilt his foundation — one workout, one meal, and one consistent decision at a time.

 


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