Sometimes the greatest transformations don't begin with a workout plan or a new diet.

They begin with surviving your darkest day.

In this episode, I'm joined by Kyle Fry, who shares an incredibly honest conversation about living through chronic pain, surviving suicidal thoughts, rebuilding his life after multiple back surgeries, and ultimately losing more than 75 pounds by changing far more than his body.

Together, we explore how mindset, personal responsibility, supportive relationships, and daily action helped Kyle move from simply surviving to creating a life he genuinely enjoys living.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Kyle's battle with chronic pain and multiple back surgeries

• The day he nearly lost his life to suicide

• How one unexpected moment changed everything

• The mental and emotional side of long-term weight gain

• Why rock bottom became the turning point in his journey

• Losing more than 75 pounds through sustainable lifestyle changes

• Food addiction, habits, and rebuilding a healthier relationship with yourself

• The importance of surrounding yourself with people who genuinely want to see you succeed

• Why small, consistent goals often lead to the biggest transformations

• Making peace with your past without allowing it to define your future

This conversation goes far beyond weight loss. It's about resilience, choosing hope during incredibly difficult seasons of life, and recognizing that lasting change begins long before you see it reflected on the scale.

Whether you're navigating your own health journey, struggling with your mental health, or simply looking for encouragement to take the next step, I believe you'll find something meaningful in Kyle's story.

Connect with Kyle Fry

TikTok

https://www.tiktok.com/@kilofree86

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/kilofree86

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/kyle.fry.9210

Mental Health Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health crisis, please know that help is available.

United States & Canada

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor 24 hours a day.

https://988lifeline.org

If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately.

You are not alone. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, and support is available.

Today on the podcast, I am joined by Memo, a runner, content creator, and one of the most genuine people I've had the opportunity to connect with online.

What started as a conversation about running quickly became a deeper discussion about identity, fatherhood, mental health, social media, personal growth, and the moments that change the direction of our lives.

Memo shares how the COVID years led to unhealthy habits, weight gain, and a growing disconnect from the person he wanted to be. After becoming a father, everything changed. Faced with the reality of the choices he was making and the future he wanted for his daughter, he made a decision that would eventually lead him to running.

We talk about the difficult first steps, the lessons learned during his first year as a runner, and how slowing down ultimately helped him make more progress. We also explore the supportive running community on TikTok, the power of documenting your journey, and why connecting with others can make a difficult process feel a little less lonely.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How the pandemic impacted habits, health, and daily life

• Becoming a father and finding a new sense of purpose

• The frightening moment that motivated Memo to make a change

• Why slowing down helped him become a better runner

• Recovery runs, pacing, and avoiding burnout

• Using social media to document progress and build community

• The connection between running, mental health, and self-reflection

• Finding beauty in everyday life and appreciating the journey

• Why consistency matters more than perfection

• The lessons running teaches about patience, growth, and resilience

This conversation goes far beyond running. It's about becoming the person you want to be, appreciating where you are today, and continuing to move forward one step at a time.

To continue following Memo's journey, connect with him on TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@memoruns26

Why did Chad start running?

What began as preparation for a Spartan Race became a complete transformation of his physical health, confidence, mindset, and sense of purpose.

In this episode of Why Did You Start Running, Chad shares how a difficult period following COVID left him struggling with mobility, spasticity, self-doubt, and depression. Living with cerebral palsy, he found himself facing an important decision: continue down a path of inactivity or take a chance on himself and see what was possible.

That decision led to his first 5K.

Since then, Chad has logged more than 1,000 miles, completed dozens of races, earned a first-place age group finish, organized a charity virtual 5K, launched a scholarship program, and become a voice of encouragement within both the running and cerebral palsy communities.

We also discuss the power of community, the mental health benefits of running, navigating grief, overcoming self-doubt, and how one small decision can create opportunities you never imagined.

Whether you're a runner, someone living with a disability, or simply looking for a reminder of what's possible when you take a chance on yourself, this conversation is packed with inspiration and perspective.

In This Episode

• Why Chad signed up for a Spartan Race in 2022

• Living with cerebral palsy and navigating physical challenges

• How running helped improve mobility and confidence

• The mental and emotional benefits of running

• The importance of supportive communities

• Running through grief and difficult life experiences

• Finding purpose through helping others

• Creating a scholarship program and charity 5K

• Building confidence through personal growth

• Why taking one chance on yourself can change everything

Connect With Chad

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadwillia1/

Learn More About Cerebral Palsy Perspective

Website: https://cerebralpalsyperspective.com

If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who needs a reminder that progress doesn't require perfect circumstances. Sometimes the biggest transformations begin with a single decision to try.