4 min read

Matthew Bickel, 45, weighed over 500 pounds—gaining about a pound a month for 10 years. He could eat an entire pizza, six sodas, and a big dessert in one sitting. After being diagnosed with prediabetes, Matthew finally decided to make a change. He started on an epic journey of exercise and changing his self-image. He’s about to embark on his new goal of completing one of the most challenging endurance races in the world.

I’ VE BEEN OVERWEIGHT my whole life. Even when I played on my college football team at Baylor University, I stood out as the biggest and strongest guy at 350 pounds. After I finished playing, I gained a pound a month for 10 years. At age 30, I weighed 532 pounds.

Food was my constant. It was something I could always turn to when times got tough. Looking back, that led to a big dependency and food addiction . At my heaviest, a typical meal for me looked like a Thanksgiving dinner or birthday meal for most people.…