[The Ultimate Guide to HIIT]
[The Encyclopedia of Functional Training]
[Nutrition for Muscle Gain & Fat Loss: Science-Based Ratios & Recipes]
[Building a Personal Brand on Social Media & Monetization Strategies]
[Fitness Modeling: Posing & Lighting Techniques]
...
One by one, books with impressive titles (he chose physical copies) appeared out of thin air, landing with a thud, thud, thud on the empty floor beside him. Soon, a small stack had formed.
He quickly finished the remaining homework assignments and shoved them into his backpack.
Then, buzzing with excitement, he picked up the book on top: [Calisthenics: Building the Perfect Physique with Bodyweight Training].
Opening the pages, he saw clear anatomical diagrams, detailed breakdowns of various push-up variations, pull-ups, jump squats, and guides on how to structure a training cycle...
Many of the concepts and details were far beyond the mainstream knowledge of gyms in this era.
"This is gold!" Shane felt like he'd struck oil. "With this knowledge, just a little packaging, and I can definitely bluff my way to the top!"
He picked up [Nutrition for Muscle Gain & Fat Loss]. The precise calculations for protein, carbs, and fats, along with efficient meal plans tailored for different body types, were eye-opening.
In an era where many people still thought losing weight just meant starving yourself, this knowledge was a dimensional strike.
Who knows? Maybe he could become the "Godfather of Internet Fitness"?
"Don't need to make it too complicated. Just start with the basics: 'Home Bodyweight Sculpting' and 'Budget Muscle Building Diet Guide'!"
Shane's brain was spinning fast. "Take a few photos, set up a page on Facebook and Instagram, and sell digital versions of the training plan and diet advice... Sell one for... $19.99? Or maybe $49.99?"
"And for the rich folks, I can offer offline personal training. With a handsome, 'experienced' coach like me guiding them in person, that's gotta be worth at least... $60 a session?"
He could already see the green bills waving at him.
This was way faster than risking jail time selling contraband or grinding out short stories for pennies!
"Yes! Let's do this!" He snapped his fingers excitedly. "My money-making master plan is right here in these books!"
He began to devour the fitness knowledge, immersing himself in the ocean of learning. The warm light of the desk lamp illuminated his focused profile.
And so, on this chaotic night in the South Side of Chicago, in a cramped basement, the journey of "Fitness Influencer Shane" quietly began.
---
The next morning, the familiar chaos arrived at the Gallagher house right on schedule.
Clatter—Bang!
The sound of frantic footsteps and the war for the bathroom echoed from the first floor, accompanied by furious banging on the door and impatient shouts from Lip and Ian:
"Carl! Hurry up! We're gonna be late!"
"Fck you, get out already!"
Finally, with a triumphant whistle, the morning bathroom battle ended with Carl as the victor.
Lip and Ian were left cursing and pounding on the door.
You ask about the second floor? The upstairs bathroom in the morning basically belonged to Debbie. She needed it to wash and change Liam, plus get herself ready. Since she usually got up earlier than the other three boys, she claimed squatter's rights.
Shane was woken by the familiar noise. He stretched on his basement bed, twisting his stiff neck.
The merged memories made him used to this, and he even felt a strange sense of familiarity.
Upstairs, the sounds of Fiona preparing breakfast drifted down.
He got up quickly. Today was the first day of school for the "new" Shane.
He stuffed the completed homework assignments into his bag. After a second thought, he grabbed [Nutrition for Muscle Gain & Fat Loss] and shoved it in too.
Even with his "gifted" brain, reading thirty pages last night was his limit. He needed to use every spare minute.
He went up to the first floor but didn't stop. Timing it perfectly, he darted up to the second floor just as Debbie was coming out of the bathroom with Liam.
He squeezed in to wash up.
By the time he came downstairs, Fiona had already put breakfast on the table.
This morning, it was simple eggs, oatmeal, and—two large, unopened jugs of milk!
"Yeah! Real milk!"
Carl let out a genuine cheer at the sight of the thick, creamy white liquid.
Thanks to the $800 Shane "found," Fiona had finally been able to restock the inventory after her shift last night, temporarily ending the dark days of watering down the milk.
In his excitement, Carl turned and looked at Fiona with puppy-dog eyes.
"Fiona, we're rich now. Can you buy me a gun? Little Jack at school already has his own gun. I'm the only one without one."
Fiona didn't even look up as she skillfully shut him down:
"No, Carl. That money is for food, the electric bill, and heating. If I buy you a gun, we'll be burning candles for warmth next month, okay?"
Carl's head dropped in disappointment. He went back to playing with a one-armed Barbie doll he'd scavenged from a dumpster somewhere.
Shane tossed his bag in the corner and sat in his usual spot.
Just then, Lip was finally liberated from the bathroom. Adjusting his collar, he walked to the table and looked at Shane with a teasing grin.
"Hey, bro. Finally decided not to skip today, huh? How was your 'rest' last night?"
He put heavy emphasis on the word "rest," his eyes full of mischief.
Shane rolled his eyes helplessly.
"What are you looking at me for? Karen went home in the afternoon. I was up all night doing homework."
Lip raised his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. Whatever you say."
"Now, can any gentlemen help me bring the oatmeal over? Gallagher boys?"
Fiona called out, hands on her hips, wearing her apron.
Lip and Shane exchanged a glance, stood up in sync, and helped distribute the food.
Breakfast proceeded in a relatively harmonious atmosphere.
When they were almost done, Fiona started clearing up. She put the leftover eggs and milk in the fridge, then, as if remembering something, she grabbed a cookie tin from on top of the fridge and slammed it onto the center of the table.
"Electric bill."