Suvechha Sarkar
Gary Hawkins first appeared in season 13, episode 4 of TLC’s ‘My 600-lb Life.’ As the youngest of eight siblings, he was always spoiled by his mother, who allowed him to eat whatever he wanted since childhood. It spiraled out of control, leading his weight to 200 lbs by age 10. His struggles with self-esteem, combined with his battle with addiction, led him to drop out of high school. For a while, he found hope in music, but the success faded when his life veered further into darkness due to substance abuse. Eventually, Gary turned to food, which became his coping mechanism and led to his loss of mobility. After not being able to get out of bed for nine months, he realized that if he did not act fast, his life would slip away.
Gary Hawkins’ Inconsistency Derailed His Yearlong Weight Loss Journey
Initially, Gary Hawkins revealed to Dr. Nowzaradan that he weighed 745 lbs. He also mentioned that he had been unable to walk for nine months. The doctor immediately focused on restoring his mobility and put him on a strict 1200-calorie diet. He also assigned him a physical therapist and a two-month goal to get his weight down to the lower 600s. However, Gary gave in to his cravings during that period. When Dr. Nowzaradan found no progress by the third month, he asked the reality star to lose 100 lbs in a month. In month 5, Gary was taken to a local clinic and discovered his weight was 764 lbs. Dr. Nowzaradan cautioned him that his body could give up at any moment. Once again, he gave Gary the target to lose 70 lbs within two months to make surgery even a consideration.
Gary pushed forward with physical therapy and got a motorized chair to aid his mobility. On the 8-month mark, he discovered that his weight had only decreased to 759.3 lbs. Seeing no progress, Dr. Nowzaradan gave him an ultimatum to hit the same goal, or the program would move on without him. By the 10th month, the reality star managed to bring his weight down to 753.9 lbs. Ultimately, the doctor informed him that, without any progress, there was no option to continue forward with the program. Still, he offered to keep physical therapy assistance in place for Gary, provided he stayed consistent. Dr. Nowzaradan also mentioned that if he managed to walk into the Houston clinic independently, he would reconsider him for the program. By the end of his journey on the show, Gary was able to take 12 steps at a time.
Gary is Quite Active on Social Media and Aims to Pursue His Passion For Music
By the time Gary Hawkins was in middle school, he was already insecure about his weight. During his time at Berkeley High School, he began using weed and skipping classes. Although his principal recommended a continuation program, his addiction took hold. He drifted deeper into his habits and dropped out of high school without a diploma. In search of stability, Gary moved in with his older brother. There, the reality star found his calling when he picked up a guitar. He began composing music and rapping, and even discovered a passion for songwriting. One fateful day, while strumming his guitar, he met a friend, Anthony, who noticed his talent and handed him the number to a recording studio. It allowed him to record a hook for a song during his first session at The Grill Recording Studios.
Gary’s performance got the attention of the executive producer, who invited him to New York City to shoot a music video. Although his weight held him back, he ultimately managed to star in the music video “Know No Better.” Within weeks, he found himself spending time with celebrities. During that time, he alleged his cousin introduced him to crystal meth, and he spiraled into substance abuse. Gary stopped making music and turned to binge eating. Although he was sent to rehab, his relapse became quite frequent. Ultimately, the reality star traded drug addiction for food, which led to his restricted mobility. Although he joined the weight loss program to reclaim his health and return to his professional world, it remained out of reach due to obesity.
However, Gary found an outlet through social media and has built a loyal online community with over 6K followers on Facebook and more than 2K followers on Instagram. There, he shares updates about his health recovery and personal victories. In February 2025, he promoted a GoFundMe initiative to collect funds for his transformative journey. The following May, he proudly shared a milestone that he had lost enough weight around his waist to finally get inside the bathroom by walking, which he hadn’t been able to do for months. His supporters flooded the comment section with encouragement like, “Keep it up, king, proud of you,” and “Good job, G.” Aside from personal updates, Gary uses social media to promote products like Avocurl and Chi Forest sparkling water. He also uses the platforms to showcase his passion for collecting cards.
With His Family Always by His Side, Gary Never Faced the Challenges Alone
Gary Hawkins’ journey has been marked by struggle, but through it all, his unwavering bond with his family has remained constant. When he dropped out of high school, his older brother, Gordon, stepped in to help him and steer him back towards a healthier path. That was when he found a spark of purpose within him. When Gordon watched Gary gradually gaining mobility, it filled him with immense pride. The reality star has always shared a similar deep bond with his mother, Arielle. From childhood through his darkest moments, she has been his most steadfast supporter. Even when Gary could not walk, Arielle cared for him, cooked his meals, and ensured he never felt alone.
Arielle was also the one who sought help for Gary during his battle with addiction. On the show, she continued to be his rock, helping him to follow the doctor’s strict diet plan and encouraging him through every challenge. His love for his family runs quite deep, not just for his mother and older brother but also for all his siblings. The reality star also maintains an amicable bond with several of his cousins. In a heartfelt gesture, Gary posted a cherished family photo with the caption reading, “THIS picture IS priceless… I love my family unconditionally, even if u not on this portrait. I LOVE all my family, hecka much!!!!!” It is a simple but emotional message that speaks volumes.
