First he removed the Deliveroo app from his phone, then Reece Prescod sold his Play Station.
False-starting at the Tokyo Olympics when out of shape was the final straw.
Britain’s reigning 100 metres European silver medallist had let down his talent on athletics’ biggest stage, fallen victim to his own lifestyle.
“It takes losing what you had to fully appreciate what you have?” the Londoner admitted. “You have to start again and be humble.”
In Manchester on Friday the British Athletics Championships get underway with Prescod the sprinter to beat.
Having talked the talk, the 26-year old has walked the walk.
Three weeks ago in Ostrava he clocked a best ever 9.93 seconds to go fourth on the British all-time list and eighth in the world this year.
“This year is a rebrand," he said. "I’m starting again, trying to get back where I was before.
“The pressure of being a young talent when you don’t progress makes for an upsetting career. I had to face a harsh reality with myself. But instead of sinking, I focused.
“I took away a lot of distractions, like Call of Duty. I don't have a PS5 anymore. Where I was using Deliveroo I’m now into Prep Kitchen and for recovery I go to cryotherapy regularly.
“I’m also working on my mental health. I couldn’t just sweep Tokyo under the carpet, I had to deal with the baggage of that, the trauma. Hopefully my results will reflect that.”
In 2018 Prescod was the coming man, losing out on European gold to British team mate Zharnel Hughes only by 0.01secs.
“Things didn't go linear,” he said. “I got distracted, being young and excited. It has taken being humbled to bring in new innovation.
“We have weekly weigh-ins. My weight, 88kgs in Tokyo, is around 79-80. I’ve leaned out and have a much stronger frame which should help me do the rounds. I feel I know what is required now.”
Prescod’s tussle with Hughes over 100 and 200m is a highlight of a weekend also featuring Dina Asher-Smith (100m), fellow world champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson (javelin) and Olympic silver medallist Laura Muir (1500m).
For depth of quality, however, the men’s 800m takes some beating. World leader Max Burgin, 20, heads a stacked field.
