Garrett Olson, 33, admits he used to ‘eat until he was sick’ and would consume three burgers, a large bag of fries, two large sodas and dessert in one sitting. However, he’s now a changed man after his 19st weight loss
Garrett Olson, a 33-year-old father, has managed an incredible feat by shedding half his body weight.
The transformation journey of losing an impressive 260lbs (19st) has turned Garrett. from Arizona in the US, into an inspiration for his 160,000 TikTok fans who follow his updates religiously.
Now, Garrett is peeling back the curtain on how dropping the pounds has reshaped not just his body but his identity too.
Reflecting on his past, he shared: “Growing up in an overweight Hispanic household, food was more than just sustenance. It was how we showed love, how we comforted ourselves, and how we celebrated. Often, eating was the only thing we did together as a family.
“As young as 10 years old, I was already barrelling down the path to obesity. I’d indulge to the point of illness, easily smashing through three burgers, an oversized pack of fries, two hefty sodas, plus dessert in a single go. I resorted to secret snacking and concealed my treats from my family out of embarrassment.”
Garrett’s hefty frame took a toll on his well-being. He revealed: “I developed sleep apnea and had to use a CPAP machine every night,” also confessing his distaste for it. I absolutely hated it. It felt like I was chained to that machine. I couldn’t spend the night at friends’ houses, and if the power went out at home, I knew I wouldn’t be getting any sleep at all.”
He endured excruciating pain in his knees, ankles, lower back, hips, and neck, lamenting: “I was in constant pain, which made me not want to do anything. I started withdrawing from everyone and everything, becoming more and more reclusive.”
Having tried countless times and failed to lose weight, Garrett realised it wasn’t just about his wellbeing, but also about being there for Trent, 11, and Wyatt, 8.
He confessed: “I realised that my kids were missing out on a proper childhood with their father. I couldn’t run, jump, or play with them like I wanted to. Being a great dad was all I ever wanted to be, and I knew I had to do something about my weight.”
In 2023, he made the daunting decision to undergo weight loss surgery, after years of worrying over its implications.
“So many people in my family had the surgery and were unsuccessful in keeping the weight off,” Garrett expressed his concern. “I was also afraid of dying on the table because of how big I was. But I felt I had no other option.”
His pivotal procedure occurred in Glendale, Arizona, on 28 August, 2023, and came with a hefty $23,000 (£17,940) price tag, largely covered by insurance after doctors underscored its necessity for Garrett’s continued existence and betterment of life.
However, the was drama after, as Garrett said: “Some polyps burst inside my digestive tract, and it nearly killed me. I lost so much blood and ended up having seizures in the ER. That was easily one of the scariest moments of my life.”
After the surgery, Garrett had to completely change how he approached eating. “I used to eat crazy amounts, but now I focus on salads, high-protein foods, and water,” he explained. “I’ve cut out soda entirely; everything I eat is low or zero sugar.
“My favourite meal now is an inside-out burger salad with chopped hamburger meat, Greek yoghurt, ketchup, cheese, and pickles. It’s high in protein and low in calories, which is perfect for me. I stick to 2,000 calories a day.”
Despite his weight loss success, Garrett is now dealing with the issue of excess skin, which affects his self-esteem. He confessed: “My loose skin gets in the way a lot. I am so self-conscious about my arms and my chest. I just want to feel normal. I wish I could get skin removal surgery, but the cost is so expensive, and insurance deems it to not be necessary.”
Expressing his frustration and hope for the future, he added: “It breaks my heart because I have done all of this hard work just to still be unhappy with my body. I wish that wasn’t my mindset, but I’m working on it. I cannot wait to have the skin removed and see the person I know lives inside of me. I feel like I owe it to myself one day to make that happen and live free.”
Garrett’s story has captured the hearts of TikTok users, where he began sharing videos to document his weight loss journey.
“I never expected anyone to watch my videos or follow me,” he confessed. “But then I got a message from someone saying they felt like ending their life because of their size and health problems, and that watching my videos gave them hope. That was a lot of pressure, but it also made me realise that I needed to keep going-not just for myself, but for others like me.”
Now, Garrett uses his social media clout to inspire and support those struggling with their weight. “My advice would be to do what works for you. So many blanket statements on health exist, especially on social media,” he said.
“I was so desperate to lose weight that I would try just about anything anyone said I should do. But the truth is slow and steady wins the race. It took years to get this big, and the weight isn’t going to come off overnight. Progress, not perfection, is what matters.”
Looking to the future, Garrett has set himself some bold targets. He said: “I’m still hoping to lose more weight. My ultimate goal is to compete in a bodybuilding competition. I want to show myself and others that we’re worth living for and belong in this world just like everyone else does.
“After that, I hope to become a fitness coach for overweight and obese people, helping them reclaim their own lives the way I’ve reclaimed mine.”