In 1996, the world met Zach Strenkert on The Jerry Springer Show as a 70-pound, 3-foot-tall 17-month-old. His parents, Laurie and Chris, were desperate for answers as he grew rapidly despite not eating excessively. Doctors diagnosed him with Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome (SGBS), a rare genetic disorder causing overgrowth.

By age three, Zach weighed 110 pounds, and by fifth grade, 250 pounds. He struggled with fibromyalgia, scoliosis, and arthritis, making childhood difficult. His excessive growth slowed at 23, but years of inactivity led his weight to reach 500 pounds.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Zach decided to change. He started walking for just 10 minutes daily, gradually increasing his stamina. Now, he power-walks up to eight miles in an hour and incorporates strength training, even jogging in place while gaming.

He transformed his diet, swapping high-calorie foods for balanced meals. At his lowest, he weighed 234 pounds but found a healthier balance at 280 pounds. His motto: “Make more good decisions than bad, and stay active.”

Zach shares his journey to inspire others, proving that small steps can lead to incredible change. “If I can do it, anyone can,” he says. “Just keep going.”