In early 2023, Justin was on a path typical of many in their late 30s—working physical labor in Florida, smoking cigarettes, drinking heavily, and carrying baseline inflammation and brain fog. Seeking a total reset, he quit alcohol and began running.
Shortly after, in May 2023, a friend suggested trying a zero-plant carnivore diet. Intrigued, Justin adopted a strict protocol of meat, eggs, butter, and cheese, completely eliminating refined sugars, seed oils, and artificial sweeteners.
Within 30 days, the physical and mental improvements were profound:
- Mental Clarity & Focus: The baseline brain fog lifted, dramatically improving his energy and focus while working outdoor construction in Florida’s intense heat.
- Elimination of Cravings: The psychological battle with food, sugar, and alcohol cravings vanished completely.
- Rapid Recovery: His baseline recovery times from physical exertion accelerated, allowing him to push his athletic limits faster than he ever thought possible.
Defying the “Carb-Loading” Myth
In endurance sports, conventional wisdom insists that high-carbohydrate fueling and constant sugar gels are mandatory to avoid “bonking.” The more runners insisted that ultra-distance running was impossible without carbohydrates, the more determined Justin became to prove otherwise.
Starting with a local turkey trot in late 2023, Justin rapidly escalated his distances. By 2024, his endurance milestones accelerated:
- Multiple 100-Mile Finishes: Completed three separate 100-mile races, including a 24-hour endurance challenge and back-to-back weekend races.
- First-Place Ultramarathon Victory: Won the grueling Trident 100-mile race—a brutal event held in late July across Florida’s loose, rolling sugar sand dunes where only 4 out of 16 starters finished.
- Sub-20 Minute 5K at 180 lbs: Demonstrated explosive high-intensity speed by running a 5K in under 20 minutes at 6’1″ and 180 pounds, far heavier and leaner than typical distance runners.
Race-Day Fueling on Fat & Salt
Unlike traditional runners who consume 50–100 grams of carbohydrate gels every hour, Justin’s race fueling relies entirely on fat adaptation and electrolyte management:
- Pre-Race Preparation: Heavy salt loading in the days leading up to summer events to maximize hydration retention in extreme heat.
- Race Breakfast: Whole, nutrient-dense animal proteins—eggs, bacon, sausage, ground beef, or steak.
- On-Trail Sustenance: Real whole foods like bacon, beef patties, salami, butter, and heavy cream with MCT oil, consumed only when hungry rather than on a rigid timer.
- Negative Splitting: Because he burns body fat and dietary fat smoothly without blood sugar crashes, Justin routinely runs his fastest miles at the very end of 50- to 100-mile races.
Bouncing Back Fast
Beyond his race results, Justin’s primary advantage is rapid recovery. While many ultra-runners suffer from severe systemic inflammation, joint pain, and swollen legs that leave them immobile for days, Justin routinely completes back-to-back 100-mile, 30K, and 50K races on consecutive weekends.
Today, Justin balances pool construction work in Florida, daily physical labor, and training for multi-day “last man standing” backyard ultras.
“In the running world, everyone claims carbs are essential. I’ve run 100-mile races in extreme heat without a single carbohydrate gel. Carnivore gave me steady energy, zero brain fog, and the ability to recover faster than guys half my age.”
