Before playing a superhero on the big screen, Chris Pratt underwent a hero’s journey of his own. Born in Virginia in 1979 to a supermarket employee and a miner turned house remodeler, Pratt moved with his family to Washington at the age of seven. He wrestled in high school and later dropped out of community college, working as everything from a ticket salesman to a male stripper. Whilst waiting tables and living out of a van in Maui, he was discovered by actress and director Rae Dawn Chong, who cast him in her short film.

With help from a nutritionist and personal trainer, Chris Pratt’s body has undergone dramatic improvements over the years. He first shed pounds when vying for a part in the 2011 sports drama Moneyball but quickly gained back some of the weight after production wrapped. A few years later, he famously lost over 60 pounds when preparing for the role of Peter Quill—aka Star-Lord—in 2014.

Seeking a top-notch personal trainer, Chris Pratt partnered with former marine sniper and ex-Navy SEAL Duffy Gaver, whose client roster includes a number of A-list celebrities. In addition to Pratt, Gaver has worked with Ashton Kutcher, Brad Pitt, Scarlett Johansson, Adam Sandler, Channing Tatum, and Chris Hemsworth. He’s also a published author.