In 1996, the world caught a glimpse of Zach Strenkert when he appeared 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 their son grew an inch and gained 2.5 pounds every two weeks.
“He’s not a big eater, and that’s why we were so concerned. Where is the growing coming from?” Laurie explained on the show.
Doctors eventually diagnosed Zach with Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome (SGBS), a rare genetic disorder that causes overgrowth, primarily in males. While they finally had an answer, there was no treatment to reverse the effects.
Growing Up with SGBS
As Zach grew older, his challenges compounded. By age three, he weighed 110 pounds, and by fifth grade, he tipped the scales at 250 pounds. “I was always hungry because of the rate at which I was growing,” Zach recalls.
He dreaded gym class, battling constant pain from fibromyalgia, scoliosis, and arthritis. Despite these difficulties, he persevered through childhood, though the emotional and physical toll of his condition weighed heavily.
By age 23, his excessive growth slowed, and he reached a more normal weight and height for his 6-foot-4 frame. However, years of processed food and inactivity caused his weight to climb again, eventually reaching 500 pounds.
A Turning Point During the Pandemic
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Zach, a competitive gamer, felt isolated and depressed. “I was closed off from everything and everyone,” he recalls. With his preexisting health issues and obesity, Zach faced a higher risk of severe complications if he contracted the virus.
“One day, I woke up and thought, ‘What can I do?’” Zach says. That moment sparked his decision to make a change.
He started small, walking for just 10 minutes around his backyard. “I could barely do it, but I did,” Zach shares. He gradually pushed himself to walk further each day, motivated by music playlists and meditation to overcome his inhibitions.
Embracing Fitness and Health
Over time, Zach progressed to power walking around his neighborhood, aiming for 30 to 45 minutes daily. “Now, I can do about eight miles in an hour,” he says proudly. To challenge himself, he sometimes wears a weighted backpack but remains mindful of his limits to avoid injury.
Zach incorporated strength training into his routine, opting for wall pushups during TV commercials to protect his body from fibromyalgia pain. Even while gaming, he stays active by jogging in place, once clocking 20 miles in a single day.
A Balanced Approach to Diet
Zach overhauled his diet, swapping high-calorie energy drinks for healthier options like dry cereal with nuts, chicken breast, and whey protein shakes. He practices moderation, allowing himself occasional takeout while focusing on mindful eating.
At his lowest weight, Zach reached 234 pounds but found it unsustainable. “People started worrying, saying I looked gaunt,” he says. Now, at 280 pounds, Zach feels healthier and happier. His motto: “Make more good decisions than bad, and stay active.”
Sharing His Story to Inspire Others
Zach hopes his journey will inspire others to start or restart their fitness journey, no matter how daunting it feels.
“If I can do it, anybody can do it,” he says. “You have to go at your pace. You’ll get there as long as you stay on the road and keep taking those steps.”
Zach’s transformation is a testament to resilience and determination, proving that even small steps can lead to life-changing progress.