Nearly 30 years ago, Zach Strenkert made headlines when he appeared on The Jerry Springer Show as a two-year-old with an unusually large physique. Weighing 70 pounds (32kg) and standing a meter tall, he became a national sensation long before the era of social media
Now, at 30, Zach has resurfaced, revealing an astonishing transformation that has left the internet both shocked and inspired.
A Childhood in the Spotlight
As a child, Zach frequently appeared on talk shows like Jerry Springer, Oprah, Maury, and Inside Edition. His rapid growth puzzled doctors, leading his family to turn to the media in search of answers.
“He’s not a big eater. That’s one of the most frequently asked questions,” his mother, Laurie, told Springer at the time. “And that’s why we’re so concerned—where is the growth coming from?”
A Rare Condition Behind His Growth
Zach was eventually diagnosed with Simpson-Golabi-Behmel Syndrome (SGBS), a rare genetic disorder that primarily affects males, causing excessive growth both before and after birth. The condition also increases the risk of tumors and congenital malformations.
Growing up in Port Jervis, New York, Zach struggled with the emotional toll of his early TV appearances. “They made me seem different, which only pushed me further away from everyone else,” he shared in a recent interview. “I was known as ‘the kid from TV.’”
Despite public curiosity, his family never sought fame or fortune from his appearances. “People assume my mom was after money, but that wasn’t it at all,” Zach explained. “We were just looking for help from geneticists, which wasn’t easy with our insurance.”
Overcoming Physical and Emotional Challenges
Living with SGBS was physically painful for Zach. His body grew at an uncontrollable rate, making movement difficult and causing constant pain. He recalls outgrowing wheelchairs, struggling with balance, and enduring rapid growth spurts that made everyday activities a challenge.
His journey wasn’t just physical—Zach also battled emotional hardships. “We didn’t really get much take-home pay from those TV appearances. Everything was about making sure I was okay.”
Today, he looks back at documentaries about his life with mixed feelings. “They’re just a spin on what’s already out there. It’s the same content, just packaged differently,” he said. Despite the attention, he remains focused on his personal journey rather than the media’s portrayal of him.
A Commitment to Health and Fitness
At his heaviest, Zach weighed 485 pounds. Determined to take control of his health, he began a slow but steady fitness journey. It all started with short walks in his backyard—just 10 minutes a day in May 2020. Over time, he built endurance and eventually transitioned to power walking.
Now, he walks up to eight miles daily, often choosing challenging routes with natural hills. “I try to find interesting locations and trails,” he shared. He has even trained with a weighted backpack, sometimes carrying up to 80 pounds. “It leaves me in pain for weeks, but I push through,” he said.
“You pick up so much momentum that you forget you’re disabled and have limits. I’m always trying to find them—and break them,” Zach added.
A Life-Changing Transformation
At 30, Zach has made significant changes to his lifestyle. He shifted from consuming high-calorie energy drinks to a balanced diet featuring chicken breast, dry cereal with nuts, and protein shakes. However, he doesn’t believe in extreme restrictions. “I still enjoy takeout, but I practice moderation,” he said.
Currently weighing around 280 pounds, Zach says he feels better than ever. At one point, he dropped to 234 pounds but realized obsessive tracking was taking a mental toll. “I used to eat just about anything because I was always hungry from growing so fast,” he explained. “But as I got older, I realized that urge faded—I was just eating out of habit.”
At one stage, he restricted himself to just 800 calories a day, burning it all off and more. “I was heading toward anorexia,” he admitted. “But I stopped tracking everything, focused on mindful eating, and learned to make more good choices than bad.”
An Inspiration to Many
Zach regularly shares his progress online, motivating others with his journey. In October 2024, he posted, “Weighed in at 361lbs yesterday—been eating sloppy but super proud of what I’ve achieved. I can’t believe I’m not fatter! Last time I was 361lbs, I looked completely different. I see progress every week. Maybe when that slows, I’ll cut down my belly and let my muscles REALLY show through.”
His posts have been met with an outpouring of support. Fans comment with encouragement:
• “Keep grinding! You’re a true inspiration!”
• “You’ve awakened the strong man within you—amazing work!”
With his dedication to fitness and self-acceptance, Zach Strenkert continues to prove that resilience and perseverance can lead to incredible transformations—no matter where you start.
