Back in 2021, Florida native Cole Prochaska tipped the scales at over 585 pounds—the highest his scale could even register. Since childhood, his life had been mostly sedentary, marked by emotional eating and daily habits that included consuming up to 5,000 calories, often from chips and fast food. On the outside, he tried to appear happy, but inside he felt isolated and struggled with basic tasks. He was constantly short of breath and unable to exercise. The breaking point came when his seven-year relationship began to fall apart—a painful wake-up call.

Though he couldn’t salvage the relationship, Cole decided to take control of his life. He started small, walking just a few blocks a day. Over time, he built up to 10,000 steps daily, rain or shine. He drastically changed his diet, cutting out sugary drinks and sweets and focusing on high-protein meals.

By 2023, Cole had lost an incredible 360 pounds. Now, he’s dealing with the challenge of excess skin and is pursuing surgery to complete his transformation.

Inspired by Cole’s incredible journey? Share your thoughts—and don’t forget to pass this story along so others can weigh in, too.