Choose a participant below to learn more about them.

Johnny

Tempe, AZ - College Student

Height: 6'0"

Start Weight: 404.2 lbs

End Weight: 266.4 lbs

“This experience taught me so much, I now understand how important it is to live a healthy lifestyle. I hope to be an example and inspire others.”

Johnny began hoarding food at an early age because of severe neglect by his 14-year-old drug addicted prostitute mom who abandoned him at a party at age three. Child Protective Services placed Johnny in the foster care system where he began to seek out food as it was "the only thing that never abandoned him," and his weight steadily increased. At the age of six he was adopted, but his family struggled to get him to feel like he was truly part of their family and discipline problems in high school forced them to put him in military school. With a lack of direction and focus, Johnny wants to learn how to be healthy, lose weight and seek out a career and independence. Johnny feels his weight makes it even harder for him to get close to people, and he many never know what it really feels like to be wanted or accepted.

Limitations:

• -Can’t participate in many school activities because of weight, leaving him feeling isolated
• -Out of breath easily, always exhausted
• -Bad knees

Health Problems:

• -Afraid to go to doctor to find out but suspects he has diabetes
• -Trouble breathing

Stakes:

• -Wants to be able to support himself and find a job
• -Wants to get control of his health in order to create a stable life for himself