Four years ago, 41-year-old Floridian Cole Prochaska tipped the scales at well over 585 pounds—so heavy he couldn’t even get an exact reading. Daily life was a grind of five-cheeseburger “snacks,” whole pizzas, and 12-packs of soda. Social events? Forget it. Chairs felt risky, walking left him breathless, and he masked loneliness behind a forced smile.

Then his seven-year relationship ended, and Cole decided if he couldn’t save the romance, he’d save himself.

One Step, Then 10,000

Cole laced up a pair of sneakers and shuffled down the block. The next day he did it again—plus half a block more. Today, he knocks out 10,000 steps or more every single day, rain or shine. Walking led to weight-lifting, and the junk food was replaced by lean protein, water, and strict calorie counting.

360 Pounds Gone—But a New Hurdle

By 2023 Cole had shed about 360 pounds. The victory is huge, but so is the aftermath: dozens of pounds of loose skin that chafe, hide muscle definition, and still make T-shirts feel like armor. He’s raising funds for skin-removal surgery so he can finally feel as light as he looks.

“I once weighed as much as three men. Now I’m one—just still trapped in extra skin,” he wrote on his GoFundMe, which has already crossed $80,000.

Inspiring the Internet

Thousands have cheered him on:

• “Absolutely inspiring! Keep walking.”

• “Your dedication is unreal—this little bit should help you hit that goal!”

Cole’s message to anyone who feels stuck: “Put your head down and grind. I’m living proof it works.”