After months of research and sitting in all the models talked about in this sub, I landed on the Steelcase Gesture. As y'all know, ergo chairs are HIGHLY subjective based on the individual's needs.
For anyone that might be similar to my physique: 5'7" with wider upper back and shoulders, thicker hamstrings and calves but with a dad-bod gut and sitting 8-10 hours a day, this chair SHOULD be considered. There's a lot of reviews out there saying this chair is better suited for people that are "taller" but short, thicc ass found it to be better than the Amia, Leap, Leap V2, Think, Think V2, Herman Miller Aeron Size B and Size C - because of the lumbar support. Granted I only got to spend half a day sitting in and testing all of these side by side before I ultimately made my decision.
The reviews I watched and read stated the lumbar support is "aggressive", which my brain always took as "oh that sounds uncomfortable" - my brain was dead wrong with that interpretation. The lumbar support mixed with infinite adjustment in the seat depth + variable back stop that I can set to the middle while setting the tension higher, means I have the lumbar support when I need it, but the it doesn't get in the way when I don't. Hopefully this helps other short thicc dudes out there that are considering this chair. Also, the it's kitten approved so absolutely zero ragrets.