As this woman gradually loses weight, her life begins changing in more ways than one.
Vicki Carter is the epitome of a strong woman. For nearly two decades, she was held as a prisoner in her own body. But when she almost reached a breaking point, Vicki realized that she needed to take back her power.
Vicki wasn’t new to overcoming difficulties, after all, she had already survived the worst one that she’s ever been through. In 1999, she was hit by a drunk driver, and the accident left her badly wounded.
“I broke both my femurs. My left leg was severed off in the wreck. I had multiple complex fractures in my right leg,” Vicki recalled. “I had lost so much blood that they told me that I was not going to make it.”
She was given another chance at life, but her injuries were so bad that she had to use a wheelchair after being released from the hospital.
For the next 17 years, Vicki used a wheelchair to get around. During this time, she fell into a deep depression and gained more than 200 pounds.
By the year 2012, she was at her heaviest at 455 pounds. That was the turning point for her – Vicki knew that she had to break free from the prison that she was in.
Vicki had been taking her daughter at Jesse James Fit in Flower Mound for her cheerleading practice. There, she met Jesse James Leyva, the owner of the gym, who offered to train her.
She grabbed the offer, and with the help of Jesse and his co-trainers, Vicki loses 60 pounds before undergoing gastric bypass surgery.
“I worked hard from my wheelchair daily, through massive pain, crying, blood, sweat and tears,” she said. “I would do it all over 100 times because your life is worth it, my family was worth it, my kids drove me, [my] friends, family and my will to succeed.”
Vicki had come such a long way in her journey when she reached another milestone that she never thought she would. Because of her accident, doctors predicted that she will never be able to use her legs again.
But in 2015, a talented plastic surgeon replaced one of her knees and weeks after, replaced the other one too. Finally, Vicki could walk again!
Shortly after the surgery, she was back at the gym, more determined than ever to reach her goals.
Vicki’s further loses weight with all the hard work that she’s been putting in. By 2016, she had dropped over 300 pounds with a combination of diet, exercise, and a lifestyle overhaul.
This fighter gained her life back and found her true calling.
Vicki currently works as a personal trainer at the gym – the perfect job for someone who’s been in the deepest trenches and came back out, stronger than ever before.
“If I can do it, you can do it! I did it from a wheelchair, so there is no excuse,” she said.
If Vicki’s story isn’t motivation enough, then we don’t know what is! Truly, no situation is hopeless to someone who never gives up and who works hard to reach their goals.
Learn more about this incredible woman and her story in the video below.
Share this inspiring story!