Suvechha Sarkar
The inspirational journey of Corey Phelps was introduced in season 1 of TLC’s ‘Dangerously Obese.’ He shared how he had always been bigger in size and had to face bullying due to that. Amid everything, the unconditional love of his father kept him going. According to him, when he came out as a part of the LGBTQ+ community, he didn’t receive support from his mother. The tension eventually pushed him into homelessness, forcing him to abandon the dreams he had. All the emotional turmoil only increased his dependence on food since he was an emotional eater. Things got worse when his father passed away. Over time, Corey realized that his mobility was getting limited. Therefore, if he wanted to achieve his goals and live a long life, losing weight was his only viable option.
Corey Phelps Proved His Dedication With Progress Before and After Surgery
Corey Phelps’ battle with obesity made his everyday life a battlefield. He developed mild sleep apnea and was unable to walk for more than 10 to 15 minutes because of exhaustion. Additionally, his legs often swelled, and he had intense back pain. So, when he finally walked into Dr. Charles Procter’s clinic for his first appointment, he was terrified, but determined. Corey was shocked when he weighed in at 664.4 lbs. The doctor didn’t waste much time asking him to lose 50 lbs in two months. From that day forward, he began giving it his all in his diet and started exercising. However, life had other plans, as COVID-19 shut everything down in the middle of his progress. During that time, Corey consulted with the psychologist to finally confront the trauma that drove him to food for comfort.
Corey admitted during his first session that he had cheated on his diet for 2 to 3 weeks, but he fought hard to regain control. Just before his approval appointment, Dr. Procter contacted him via video chat with disappointing news that the visit had to be postponed due to the surge in COVID-19 cases in Georgia. The doctor gave him another goal: to lose 25 lbs in a month before returning to the clinic. Corey continued to exercise and stick to his diet. When he went for his next appointment, his weight had come down to 582 lbs. He was officially approved for weight loss surgery, and the procedure went smoothly. Five months later, when he stepped onto the scale again, it read 396 lbs, with his next target being to reach 250 lbs.
The Human Services Graduate Has Recently Taken a Step Back From Social Media
From the beginning, Corey had channeled his focus into building a life that allowed him to help others. On the show, he had shared that he aspired to work for a nonprofit organization or even own one someday, so he could uplift people who felt just like he once felt. However, when Corey became homeless in 2015, his dreams were pushed aside as he was forced to drop out of college. Yet he never gave up, and with the help of his homeless shelter, he got a job as a Tech Consultant and moved into his own place. Eventually, as Corey embarked on his transformative journey, he submitted an appeal to Kennesaw State University. To his absolute delight, the appeal was approved.
At the university, Corey’s name was added to the Dean’s list for the recognition of academic excellence in the spring 2021 semester. There, he majored in Human Services with a focus on Non-Profit Management and Social Innovation. On his 31st birthday in July 2022, he proudly graduated with the degree. Just one month later, he shared his intention to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), but has since refrained from sharing information about it. Corey has also become a digital creator with over 17.5K Instagram followers. He uses the platform to promote body positivity and speak openly as a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. He has expanded his presence across YouTube, TikTok, and even Twitch, where he connects with his followers and shares weight loss tips and personal reflections.
Corey further shared his Venmo account on Instagram, where his followers can send him money to encourage him on his journey. In June 2022, he appeared on the ‘Tender Loving Care…?’ podcast discussing his experience on the show. Beyond social media, he even wrote an article for the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance initiative, further proving his commitment to helping others. Moreover, Corey would occasionally showcase his massive transformation on social media. Recently, he has opted for a quieter life. However, we do hope that Corey has remained on the right path and is currently thriving, growing, and continuing to inspire countless others with his resilience.
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Corey’s Inner Circle Has Been His Anchor Through Every High and Low
Corey’s personal life has been shaped by heartbreak, resilience, and the rare moments of love that kept him going. For as long as he could remember, his father, Timothy, had remained by his side firmly through it all. He loved Corey unconditionally, celebrated him, and encouraged him to stay healthy. When the reality star came out as gay, his father accepted him just the way he was. However, on June 20, 2019, his world was completely shattered when his father suddenly passed away, leaving a void that nothing could fill. Years earlier, in 2015, Corey stated that he was also devastated when his mother struggled to accept his sexuality. He eventually moved out of his home and became homeless. Over time, he became estranged from most members of his family, except for his brother, Bobby, and his aunt, Kristen.
Bobby and Kristen became his anchors during the weight loss journey, as both provided their support by helping Corey. While Kristen drove him to the doctor’s appointments, Bobby stood by his side while he exercised. His aunt even created a collage filled with encouraging messages from relatives, ensuring Corey felt love surrounding him on the day he underwent surgery. Besides that, his friends have become his chosen family, who show up for him in every way, from sharing meals to simply creating memories. Whenever the noise of life overwhelms him, he often goes out for a run, a hike, or wanders outdoors, grounding himself in the quiet beauty surrounding him. Despite the heartbreak, Corey has built a life grounded in loyalty, friendship, and the love of the very few who never gave up on him.
