I spent a little time recently with an old buddy, who was nicknamed Wo Fat a long time ago, not because he was Asian or Hawaiian, but because he loved to chow, and he knew chefs by name in every place that we ever got sent over the years. The las time I saw him he weighed over three large, and may have been half way to four.

I was a little astonished when I finally saw him for the first time in years, it actually took me a while to recognize him because I can’t imagine that he is now half the size he used to be. When I got off the plane, I was searching for this big old buddy. So I walked right by him, and heard a very familiar voice.

“Yo Big, you lose your way?”

I looked back, and it took me a few moment to recognize the voice to the man standing in front of me. He really had turned himself into No Fat, no longer a Wo Fat. He looked good, strong, lean, and he looked much much younger than his real age. He looked not like a shade under sixty, but he looked like he was only thirty.

I said, Fatz, what the hell happened to you?

Get in, he said, and I’ll tell you on the way.

I put my bag in the back seat, then off we went. We stopped over the old watering hole to buy some expensive but good malt drinks. Then Wo Fat started talking.

A few years ago, he was managing a security company that provided protection and safety for high level individuals, executives, entrepreneurs, rock stars and celebrities. One night, someone tried to capture one of his clients. There was a commotion and gunfire, and he got hit. He was rushed to a hospital, and a good emergency room team saved his life. The next day, after having his lunch, a young physician went inside his room, closed the door, and talked about his condition.

“Mr. Fatz,” (Not his real name), “Your fat saved your life yesterday, but your being fat also could kill you soon if you don’t change your habits,” the young physician said.

The doctor then proceeded to show him pictures of his ill heart. “Your heart is not in good shape, and if you don’t take immediate solution to reverse the course you are on, by the end of the year, you will be dead.”

So Fatz followed the doctor’s advice, and made some changes. He changed what he ate, he religiously followed a workout plan that he designed himself. And in two years, he lost a hundred and forty pounds.

Like I said, he looked young, like he’s only thirty years old.

We hit his office later in the day, and it made me feel good to see how much of my product was there. From the old reliables to the latest stuff, he had it all. He was particularly fond of The Runt.

“Big,” he said “Everybody adores this, it’s like an invisible weapon. My men have it with them wherever they go, always ready and prepared, and 90% of the time, just by pushing the button and let that yakety-yak rip then in pronto the people get out of the way, we have actually never ever broached anybody.”

Tomorrow we’re going to attempt something we haven’t done in almost four decades together. Surf!