For Josh, health has always been more than a routine. It has been a core part of who he is. Growing up, he was the kind of person who thrived on hard work and physical grit. In high school he built a lawn care business that kept him busy with twenty yards a week and in the winter he shoveled snow through the night before heading straight to class the next morning. He saw himself as strong, resilient, and driven.

Years later, even while running a successful business, Josh found himself in a very different place. He felt tired, powerless, and disconnected from the person he believed himself to be. That gap between identity and reality began to weigh heavily on his mental health. He knew something had to change.

Josh returned to what once gave him a sense of strength and clarity: lifting weights. In March of 2021 he made the choice to start again. Over the next four years he lost more than a third of his body weight. It was not an easy path. He experienced setbacks, plateaus, and the pull of fad diets that promised quick results but never delivered. In time he discovered that progress came from consistency and fundamentals. Paying attention to what went into his body, learning to be aware of ingredients and portions, and showing up for himself each day made the difference.

Building Stack From Experience

Josh’s transformation became the foundation for Stack Wellness. He and his wife Marissa shared this journey together. Whenever they traveled they searched for food options that were transparent, high quality, and affordable. More often than not they came up short. When the chance came to purchase an existing concept in Cedar Rapids, they knew it was time to create the very thing they had been looking for.

The Stack menu reflects Josh’s personal journey. The bowls are a perfect example. They are visually appealing, nutritionally dense, and designed to be enjoyed slowly rather than rushed. For Josh they represent balance and satisfaction, the kind of meal that supported him through his own health journey and that he now wants others to experience.

A Mission Rooted in Empowerment

Stack is not just about serving food. It is about empowerment. Josh believes everyone deserves access to convenient and affordable nutrition, no matter where they are starting. Whether someone is tracking macros, chasing protein goals, or simply trying to make one healthier choice than they did the day before, Stack is designed to meet them there.

“Stack is here for your health journey of any kind,” Josh says. “Our job is to provide high quality ingredients and the transparency to empower you to make the decisions that are right for you.”

One of his favorite menu recommendations for anyone beginning their journey is the Post Smoothie paired with Baja Guac Double Meat. For sixteen dollars it delivers seventy five grams of protein and has become a meal he is especially proud of.

The Bigger Picture

What excites Josh most about Stack’s growth is the opportunity to expand access to healthy food on a much larger scale. Each new location is more than another restaurant. It is another place where people can feel supported and encouraged in their pursuit of health.

At its core Stack’s mission is simple. To help people build one choice on top of the other until those small steps add up to lasting change. As Josh puts it:

“Stacking your health means layering your good choices one after the other and showing up for yourself every day.”

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