From Injury to 510-Pound Deadlift: How Dane Ferguson Got Shredded in 8 Weeks
After tearing his biceps tendon and gaining fat, he committed to the SS8 Challenge—and came back stronger than ever.
For 39-year-old Dane Ferguson, the road to transformation started with a bowling ball.
“Last Father’s Day, I tore my right biceps tendon—while bowling, of all things,” says Dane. “That injury held me up all summer, and I put on a significant amount of fat due to the inactivity and a poor diet.”
Fast-forward to April 2025, and Dane was determined to get back on track. His tool of choice? The Super Shredded 8 (SS8) Challenge , paired with a low-carb, high-protein diet and a big dose of determination.
“I went into the challenge intent on losing body fat primarily,” Dane says. “The challenge aspect really helped keep me focused and aligned with my goal.”
The plan worked. Over the 8-week challenge, Dane dropped nearly 20 pounds—going from 233 to 214—and added serious strength in the process. He was benching 275 pounds for 4 sets of 4 reps by the end of the program, well above his pre-challenge numbers. He also pulled a 510-pound deadlift, the heaviest of his life.
The 3 Biggest Difference-Makers
Dane credits several key habits for his successful SS8 transformation:
- Tracking his macros. “I hadn’t done much of that before. By the last two weeks, I was hitting 200 grams of protein and 100 grams of carbs per day.”
- Prioritizing sleep. “Training six days a week is hard. The body needs proper time to recover, and sleep is critical. I had to be really diligent about it.”
- Smart supplementation. Dane used Pre JYM , Post JYM , Pro JYM (five scoops daily), Alpha JYM , ZMA JYM , and Omega JYM fish oil. “On fasted morning lifts or leg days, I’d take Post JYM with fast carbs to help fuel recovery.”
No Shortcuts. Just Consistency.
The SS8 plan is tough—by design. But Dane stuck with it, even when food cravings crept in or the weight-room grind got tiring.
“The program is physically demanding. The diet was restrictive, but the food volume was actually more than I was used to, which made it tough to eat enough sometimes,” he says. “I’m a very determined person, but I had moments where I was tempted to cheat or take shortcuts.”
That’s when his support system made all the difference.
“My wife Christina really helped me overcome a lot of negative thinking and stay on track," he says. "That was probably the biggest key to helping me complete the program and get the results I wanted.”
A New Look—And a New Mindset
The weight loss was noticeable. Friends and coworkers took note. Clothes that hadn’t fit right in a year were back in regular rotation. But for Dane, it wasn’t just about looking better.
“It’s a great feeling to be back in control of my health,” he says.
His advice for anyone thinking about starting their own transformation?
“It takes work,” Dane says. “So put in the work! There are no shortcuts. Write down your goals and make a real plan to get there. What program will you follow? What will your diet look like? What obstacles might you face? Map it all out.
“In my experience, the biggest obstacle is often myself. But if you commit and follow through, the results will come.”
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