In the depths of his physical and emotional struggle, Beau Griffin once contemplated ending his own life. His battle with weight had plagued him for as long as memory served, spiraling beyond his control until he found himself tipping the scales at over 700 pounds, a milestone he considered his rock bottom.

Living in Las Vegas at 39, Griffin recounted to TODAY.com the dark moments when thoughts of suicide crept into his mind, feeling like a burden to his loved ones. “It was a gradual descent into despair”, he recalled. “I entertained some dark thoughts, but thankfully, it didn’t consume me for too long. I realized that wasn’t the answer. I had to find another way.”

Fast forward to today, Griffin has shed an incredible 450 pounds, undergone skin removal surgery, and now claims to feel “a thousand times better”. His transformation earned him top honors in EoS Fitness’s “Submit Your Fit” event in 2023, celebrating the most inspiring fitness journeys among its members.

Reflecting on his journey, Griffin revealed how his upbringing influenced his relationship with food. Raised by overweight parents who inadvertently encouraged overeating, he found solace and celebration in food, especially sugary treats like cookies and ice cream cake.

His daily indulgences included multiple fast food meals with supersized portions and sugary sodas, pushing his weight to a staggering 735 pounds by 2014. Mobility became a luxury as he found himself confined to his bed more often than not.