How this man lost more than 200 pounds and opened his own gym

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February 15, 2017 9:18 PM

You would never believe it from looking at him now, but Gianndrea once tipped the scales at nearly 500 pounds.

John Gianndrea

John Gianndrea once weighed in at 485 pounds. Now he’s motivating others to get fit

When John Gianndrea used to order fast food, he’d make it a double: 40 chicken nuggets, two large fries, and two soft drinks.

For the past 4 years, the California resident has dedicated his life to fitness.

Now he’s half the size he once was and the proud owner of True Grit, his own personal gym, reports ABC 30.

Gianndrea knew it was time to make a change when he found his severely obese friend passed out in his bathroom due to a brain aneurysm.

Gianndrea tried to rush to his aid, but struggled to fit through the doorway to help him. When he got home from the hospital, he broke down crying, realizing that it could have been him instead, he wrote on his website.

So for the next 3 years, Gianndrea committed himself to daily movement.

He started exercising every day and transformed his diet by cutting out fast food and loading his plate with protein, fiber, and lots of fruit.

In 15 months, he lost 225 pounds and has focused on building muscle ever since—no surgery, no magic pills, just hard work.

“It’s a mental battle. It’s more mental than it is physical,” Gianndrea told ABC 30.

“Losing the weight was hard but keeping it off and reminding yourself why you’re doing it, it’s all mental.”

A post shared by True Grit, LLC. (@biggieodonnell) on

That motivation didn’t stop with his own journey, because he now spends his days training and inspiring others in his own personal gym. The best part? Business is booming.

“Helping those who stand at the starting line I once stood at makes this all more the worth while to me,”

Gianndrea wrote on his website.

“To help, to inspire, and to be a part of people’s journey and see them find their smile and self worth has been worth every tear I’ve cried, every bead of sweat I’ve dropped, and all the pain I’ve endured.”

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