I Recruit Talent for a Living. It Was Time To Invest in Myself
I spend most of my days talking to television executives, sales leaders, newsroom managers, and media professionals about career growth, reinvention, and betting on yourself.
But over the last four months, I realized something:
I needed to take my own advice.
Running a media recruiting firm is rewarding. It’s also stressful as hell sometimes. Long days. Snacking instead of smart food choices. Late-night calls. Constant movement. Somewhere along the way, I stopped prioritizing myself while helping everyone else build their careers. I’m sure many of you who work in media can relate.
Then reality punched me in the face.
At 260+ pounds, my triglycerides were completely off the charts. Energy levels? Inconsistent. Clothes? Let’s just say the XXL section and I had become very close friends.
And one day I basically looked in the mirror and thought:
“Ty…you recruit people to improve their lives for a living. What exactly are you doing with yours?”
So I made a decision.
Not a dramatic Hollywood transformation.
Not some fake influencer “rise and grind” nonsense.
Just a real decision to start.
For the first time, I decided to utilize a GLP-1 as a tool — not a miracle, not magic, not cheating. A tool. I’m not ashamed to admit it.
And here’s the part people need to hear:
The GLP didn’t do the work for me.
It helped me finally create momentum.
That momentum turned into better food choices.
Better food choices turned into more energy.
More energy turned into movement.
Movement turned into consistency.
Consistency changed everything.
Over the past four months:
- 260+ pounds to under 205
- Triglycerides from dangerous to normal
- XXL shirts down to Large
- 40 waist pants down to a loose 34
And honestly? The craziest part isn’t the scale.
It’s how different life feels carrying around 50+ fewer pounds every day.
Imagine trying to jog while wearing a 50-pound weighted vest.
Now imagine taking it off.
That’s what this feels like.
Walking feels easier.
Sleeping feels better.
Energy feels different.
Confidence comes back.
You stop hiding from photos.
You stop strategically standing behind people in group pictures like a fugitive avoiding surveillance footage.
And yes, there have been funny moments.
I’ve reached the point where I pull pants out of the dryer and think:
“Whose jeans are these?”
I’ve put on old dress shirts that used to fit like sausage casings and now look like parachutes.
I’m one loose belt notch away from accidentally entering my “cool divorced golf guy” era.
But underneath the humor is something real:
This journey reminded me that reinvention is possible at any age, in any season of life.
That’s important because so many people quietly believe they’re stuck.
Too overweight.
Too tired.
Too busy.
Too far gone.
Too late.
False.
You do not have to become an ultra-marathon runner overnight.
You do not need to live on broccoli and sadness.
You do not need to punish yourself.
Start slow.
Walk.
Lift lightly.
Drink more water.
Take the stairs occasionally instead of negotiating with yourself like it’s a hostage situation.
If you choose to utilize a GLP-1, use it responsibly and intelligently with medical guidance. But understand this: the medication can open the door…you still have to walk through it.
And the small wins matter more than people realize.
One better meal.
One workout.
One pound.
One healthier decision repeated consistently.
That’s how momentum starts.
As someone who owns a recruiting firm, I talk constantly about investing in talent, growth, and potential. This experience reminded me that sometimes the best investment you can make is in your own health.
Because success means very little if your body can’t keep up with the life you’re building.
So yes — this is the human side of me.
Not recruiter Ty.
Not business owner Ty.
Just a guy who got tired of feeling unhealthy and decided to do something about it.
And if I can make this kind of change while running a business, managing stress, traveling, and living in the real world…
You probably can too.
Ty Carver has over 30+ years of recruiting, HR management, sales, and leadership experience…including the last 15 specific to the broadcast media industry. He is the Founder/CEO of Carver Talent, a local broadcast media management recruiting firm. As the former Head of Recruiting for Raycom Media, he has deep industry relationships. Have a media corporate executive/management or television station management recruiting need? Contact ty@carvertalent.com for more information.