More people need to talk about how chronic pain is a mental health issue. It's relentless, and when pain management isn't working it feels inescapable. When you're stuck like that it's inevitable to feel depressed or worse
Absolutely. One of my conditions can cause severe pain. I will randomly feel like I'm being stabbed in the knee as I walk to work and I have to just keep walking and act the same as everyone around me. It really takes a toll to have to constantly hide part of your experience.
@@shrub9677 There is actually a lot of evidence that shows that depression and anxiety can cause physical pain, most typically lower back pain, as well as fatigue and other physical symptoms. Pain can cause depression, depression can cause pain. It can be a vicious cycle.
As someone in chronic pain for the past 10 years I feel so much happier watching things like this because I know I'm not the only one who feels fed up and frustrated!!!! We love you Zach 💚
It is sadly validating knowing I am not the only one. And, yep it is a full time job to do everything possible so I can function as a human being. But, sometimes it just gets so exhausting.
I’m a women but when he started talking about having kids and his future I started to cry. I am at the same point. It is a full time job surviving. I will never thrive.
My dad has ankylosing spondylitis and was told he’d be in a wheelchair by 35. He was on meds his rheumatologist gave him that gave him a heart attack at 50. Now, he still swims 5 times a week and does pilates everyday and there’s still flare ups, but at 63 he’s able to live a relatively normal life and is one of the healthiest and fittest people I know.
But maybe he could now. His increase in arm strength on the resistance bands was amazing. There are also items like wraps and carriers that parents can use to “wear” their babies. I do hope he and Maggie grow their family!
Such an ignored side of having autoimmune disease is the fear of passing that to any potential children and yeah there’s ways to prevent that but those are expensive and not accessible.
If I can, he can. You can do some pretty insane shit when your heart and soul want it. I can't carry my daughter around everyday anymore (she's 2) but I found I had reserves I didn't know when it came time to parent.
Zach’s fr changing himself for the better and his confidence is skyrocketing. From seeing him from buzzfeed to now, it’s astonishing keep up the good work
Can we talk about how amazing Maggie is for a minute? She seems like such a validating and sweet support system who matches Zach’s energy and I really hope that anybody with a disability or chronic pain finds somebody who is that supportive and positive.
Exactly! I don't even have a chronic illness but my body is covered in scars. And the parents of my ex boyfriend suggested he should break up with me because they assumed I was chronically ill and they thought it is impossible to have a healthy and happy relationship with a person like me which is all kinds of fucked up...
The Try Guys have been putting out very important videos lately, with this one and the breast cancer one recently, and I'm really glad they're doing this because I think it's really important to be able to show people about these kinds of things. Zach and Rachel especially are so brave to be so open on camera!
You saying that you don’t talk about it even to your family or Maggie because you don’t want to burden them with your chronic pain really got me. It’s exactly how I feel. I have fibromyalgia and though I hurt all the time it’s really something I rarely talk about even with my family because it’s hard to just discuss chronic pain when you know your alone in it.
"It has taken me all morning [...] just to feel like a human" That phrase resonated with me. I struggle with anxiety and after a while going into therapy I found myself crying telling to my therapist: "it is exhausting thinking I have to dedicate so much time everyday simply to feel like others feel by default. Sometimes I'd like a day off but I can't or I'll start feeling bad again and the thought is suffocating"
@@animefallenangel That hit me at a personal sore spot. Thanks for sharing your experience. I have similar mounds to climb, and it gets frustrating when people are convinced "you aren't doing enough fast enough" and blow right by you in life. Still trying to work up spoons to do basic things, and can't share the specific struggles because I don't wanna hear it...
As a fellow disabled person with chronic pain, this video made me very emotional and I even cried. I am where Zach was at the beginning of this video - in a lot of pain every day, not seeing progress, and even feeling like I'm slipping backward. Seeing and hearing Zach take the steps to feel less bad (as I like to say) makes me feel inspired. Even though the thought of working out seems really daunting and terrible, I need to make this change so that my quality of life is better. Thank you, Zach and the other members of the team that have made this video, because I needed this.
Right there with you! I’m gonna have to look into what exercise I can safely do (fibro, arthritis, cEDS, ME/CFS, and an oversensitive heart), but I really need to do something, cause my quality of life is basically non-existent, and that’s just *exhausting*. Good luck on your journey!! ❤
I hear ya. I also have AS like Zach. when my nephew was born my sister moved in with us and in the process of helping her care for my nephew I ended up needing surgery on my shoulder. I take the TNF blockers, I exercise as I can. I work as a tour guide so each tour I walk 5-10K. I can only do one or two tours a week because I need days to recover between each. I am in a place where I don't feel like I am making any progress and I ever consider switching jobs sometimes but I love it and I know the activity is good for me. I just try not to give up and to keep fighting to be well even if I am in pain all day every day.
Seeing a fitness/lifestyle transformation on youtube that was not about aesthetic and really glorified health over all else was very uplifting. Thanks for being so open!
right !!! and i so agree w the first reply under this too. it's so tough now trying to work out in a society that gives the spotlight to working out in order to look good rather than to just feel and ~be~ good and that's definitely influenced things i've prioritized in my own health and managing my own chronic issues
Between his hair treatment and now this, Zack's transformation over the last few years is INSANE. We're all so proud of you for the work you've put in to better yourself.
I'm mostly happy he's in a place in his career where he's willing to get there. I've had many times where I just give up reaching my goals because of time and money.
I'm actually glad that this focused on exercise for dealing with pain rather trying to change looks. I feel like that's the main focus of the industry. You don't have to be ripped to exercise and be healthy, nor should it be your goal. Zach took a really healthy approach to this, and I'm glad it's helping him deal with his pain.
@@tabithabeck1204 he said the pain was still there but now he sleeps better. How you attribute the positive effects being from him getting fat and not him working out borders on delusion. There are some people who need to gain weight, but getting fat is not helpful for any disease.
@@KoopsTech I don't attribute the positive effects on him getting fat. He gained weight, not only fat but also muscle and I think the added muscle made him healthier. He said that he worked out before but his symptons didn't lessen so it's not only the working out part that helped him, the gained muscle did too. Yes it would be healthier at this point if he'd reduce his fat percentage but I'm comparing him to his starting point, not the epitome of health. Compared to a year before, he is healthier if we can trust his bodily cues.
You are supposed to look good tho, thats why the whole industry focuses exactly on that. If u wanna we super fat or skinny then u do u, but dont expect to be respected by anyone and keep telling yourself that youre fine like youre unstable.
I just want to appreciate Zach's honesty about the chronic pain fueled suicidal thoughts. I have chronic joint pain and chronic migraines, when both of them flare up I do genuinely have moments of like 'well this will last forever, I should chuck myself out a window'. Being conscious of these thoughts and mindful that it isn't a real representation of how I feel (being in pain counts as 'under the influence' to me) is useful, and talking about those struggles is important, especially in an age where disability being seen as Not Bad sometimes leads to people thinking its Good, and all positive with no drawbacks
As someone on disability for severe panic attacks, the “this has to be my full-time job” part was really helpful to hear. One of the worst parts of having an invisible illness is that you think you’re in it alone. It’s nice to be reminded that other people feel the same way.
@@bowsandpearls it IS 😭 yes, I did try EMDR once. I’m not sure if the therapist who gave it to me didn’t know me well enough or what, but I wasn’t ready. Five minutes of EMDR gave me suicidal thoughts for days. It isn’t for everyone, you know? But thank you for your comment, I found a new therapist and I’m working on my anxiety. One day at a time, right? :)
@@tarnacious_b Wow thank you so much! My aunt developed OCD after a traumatic childhood :/ yes, thankfully this week is more of a valley than a mountain, but I know there are peaks ahead. But hey, people climb Everest all the time! We got this! :)
@@snail_smoothie2314 one reason is because people hate on everything its the internet, but to be fair this is entirely clickbait. 20lbs of muscle in a year is a possible but difficult achievement, he gained maybe 2 or 3 lbs of muscle and a tonne of fat, and he doesn't need to get fat to have a healthy diet. Also he worked out with resistance bands which is a terrible way to work out, he is a bad example of what working out for a year can do, and he didn't even fully commit to the whole thing. I'm not judging him because i don't have that disease but i can understand how people would when he is so preachy about "craving exercise"
@@nathangaspacio6128 I understand that it's clickbaity but some people just saying he's fat and ignoring the point that he said he does feel better than before. If people know he's doing it "wrong" they can give advice rather than just saying he's fat ya know? Because taht doesn't help anyone Also the other comments like "what man do you see here" is also negative for no reason
@@snail_smoothie2314 yh true i understand where people are fcoming from just not where they ended up, cant imagine myself commenting that sorta stuff even if i didnt ilke the guy
I love you Zach. You're a freaking warrior - not the "man child" that everyone jokes about. You struggle every damn day and yet you still remain your joyful self. Thank you for sharing your journey - your videos about health and well being are so SO important to those who are watching and also struggling. Makes your audience feel less alone.
I 100% agree. Zach you are a warrior. I love Try Guys and you are so inspiring as I never knew you suffered chronic pain. You Rock. Your capacity for vulnerability to publicly share is amazing. 👏🏻 Deep Respect ✊
THIS ! ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️❗👏👏👏👏 I am sorry for my emojy breakout , but I felt so... .Idk, empathic, mostly *intimidated* by all the work one has to put in to REALLY make a change, not just decide to "TRY"... I feel deciding to "try" is so easy, it's basically a "promise", but constructed with an "EXIT" sign every 100 feet. Oh well it didn't work out, let's think it over and TRY something else. But did I really try or was it just too hard to follow through, for whatever reason ? Goal set too far, too high, expectations too high too fast, no support system - not even myself on the "Team"? Not believing in it in the first place? I have to make big changes in at least 5 huge aspects of my life - all somehow connected , but changes in diet and exersise are a risk in on itself ( ED for 25 + years) so ....I have no clue at what point my healthy choices feed one of my unhealthy habits I try to break. When will the 1.5 hour exercise turn from powerwalking, stretching, a bit of weight training into marching with ancle weights, at 38 degree Celsius, eating healthy aka no sugar, no fat, no carbs, or only baby food under 140 kcal a glass / 250 grams, aka cutting down everything until I gain water weight, get even more scared, work out until my legs give out and still gain 1 lbs... Abd there we go again at 10 pm on another power march, not sitting in the subway or lifting my knees if I have too... Maybe even loosing all bone mass I re- gained over the last 10 years by "being fat" ( in my "normality" aka being creeping up to an almost normal BMI slowly) ... I think I'll delete this tomorrow because I overshared (again) in an anxious, emotional moment.
Pre-OT Personal trainer here! 20lbs is amazing especially with resistance bands and starting out with any disability, let alone AS. I know this accomplishment took a lot of dedication like all gains require, but also a great amount of patience to learn how to work with your body safely. Most people don’t have to navigate disability barriers in fitness, which makes your story even more inspiring. Just wanted to recognize your accomplishments, people like you are why I love my job so much. Everyone is the expert on their own body and you’re doing great. If you or any followers have any questions about training details and managing disabilities please ask!! Super elated to see this video 🥰🥰
I think it’s a matter of getting up and just experiment with what you can handle. Exercise itself helps improve the symptoms of POTS, so you may have to simply push through a few things to find what’s in your range of tolerance while still going outside your comfort zone and being safe.
“When you have the pain, you don’t want to burden other people with it” I don’t have a diagnosis yet, but as someone who has lived with consistent pain, everyday, for years now, this is how I feel every single day. It’s awful and I feel like when I’m in pain I feel like I’m letting people down. This video had me in tears. I’m so proud of Zach
Currently on my diagnosis journey, with you there. Why is it so hard to get done? My father had it and I know that I have the gene. One thing he said helped with the pain was scuba diving, he loved it!
Also jumping through the hoops to get a diagnosis and dealing with daily pain. Thank you Zach for sharing your pain with us. It's a sad but empowering feeling to know you're not alone.
The end part where Zach patted his belly and said “I worked hard for that” made me tear up a little. Fat is so often demonized and seen as unhealthy but fat is healthy! Fat cushions your joints! The body needs to be in balance and needs fat to do that.
Yes, fat is very important, however, it is better to have less fat than excess fat. It simply isn't healthy because of the common obesity these days, but having very low levels of bodyfat is just as dangerous as being obese. Muscle is always optimal but your body does need fat.
Ok this is gonna sound weird, but near the end when he relaxed and showed the Belly™️ I almost started crying because I went through a period of time where I was severely underweight, and when you look “thin” people assume that’s healthy. They didn’t want to see the months of illness that came before it, and they didn’t care about the struggle to gain weight afterwards. It took so long for me to get to a point where I could gain weight, and *keep it.* That’s important. That’s what my body needed. And I am so proud of it now. Hip dips, belly pouch and all. You worked hard for that Zach, and it’s amazing
ppl can really easily judge others' bodies rather they're too thin fat or muscular his body before and after was one of a warrior even if I have to admit the after was very I.pressive and this lil moment you mentioned was kinda cute tbh I'm so glad you climbed up that hill and got better mental health too I assume by taking care of your body I cannot hope anything less than for you to keep the good mindset and little wins in life as long as you're not too harsh with yourself
Honestly, abs are more aesthetic than functional healthiness. You need such a specific body type and low body fat. REAL HEALTH looks different for everyone, and Zach having no severe flare ups and being able to physically function is definitely real health. Also, Zach is my motivation for working out.
@@punker4Real do you even workout? Because if you do you should know that despite putting on more weight, working out is definitely an improvement to health in many ways
Can we all take a moment to fully acknowledge his back muscles? I don’t know if he knows just how much they have grown but I really hope is proud of himself for it!
it's weird and terrible but having you, Kelsey, and Garrett talk about chronic pain has been super validating. I've had chronic pain in some form that I can remember since middle school and hearing about the health journeys is just.. nice. it's nice to know I'm not alone in this fucked up life journey thing of pain
when I listened to Guilty Pleasures and heard all three of them talking about their pain I was floored, like I'd be so grateful to hear about a single person let alone three together. It matters so much
“When you have the pain but don’t want to burden other people with it” This really hit home to me. As someone who was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis when I was nine and diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis when I was 15, I wake up everyday with pain. It is so hard to open up to others with how I feel everyday. Exercise has been such a game changer for how I feel both physically and mentally. I unfortunately still have symptoms but it has definitely helped to move my body and build muscle.
The emotion in Zach’s voice when he says “I haven’t had a bad flare up…in a long time” is exactly what makes this so worth it. Zach is such an awesome guy and a genuine inspiration to people
I have never felt more seen than Zach explaining his "I can't live like this" moments. I feel like I can't talk to anyone about it, so this means the world to me.
God I feel that. I had chronic migraines, that would put me in bed, vomiting every 10 days. I turned to my husband, saying "I see how people end their lives because of this" and I'm not suicidal. It just feels so debilitating. Hope you find comforting in knowing you are not alone.
I'm chronically ill, it's getting worse and my hope is fading away every appointment. This video made me less alone, and showed that sometimes if you keep fighting it gets better. Thank you.
I am in the same situation with my migraines. I have dealt with so many failed medications , horrible side effects, and being dismissed by people. Thank you for commenting. I’m sorry you are in so much pain, and I hope you find something that helps.
I would STONGLY suggest looking into plant based doctors. DR. Neil Barnard is a top favorite to listen to, but Dr. Gregor, Dr. Ornish, Dr. Esselstine.. and many more. Even if it doesn't cure the problem, being on an anti inflammatory diet does amazing things for the body. The same diet that reverses heart disease and type 2 diabetes is the same one that prevents 14 of our top 15 leading causes of death. There was also a documentary that recently came out about the gerson therapy and curing/reversing cancer through diet. The only ones I've seen not have success are those who stray from the diet.
It must have been difficult to be this vulnerable in front of so many people.....but please know that you have inspired a lot of people, be it with chronic pain or otherwise. We're so proud of you Zach! Wishing you health and happiness❤
Physical therapist here 🙋♀️ teared up several times during this seeing everything you go through day to day. I only see snippets with patients in the clinic but not the daily process you have to go through. Absolutely incredible what you’ve achieved and I know you’ll keep at it and get stronger every day 💕 so proud and so wonderful to see how much it is helping. You’re so strong and such an inspiration!
Zach saying he didn’t want to burden other people with his pain even though he couldn’t remember a time without it makes me cry. Because this is the first time in my life for about seven years where I have not felt pain, but in some ways I still feel bad because everybody’s commenting on the fact I’ve gained weight. This is exactly the video I’ve needed for a very long time and I’m so glad he created it. I’m so proud of the journey he’s got on too!
i understand that so much ive stuggled with an ed my whole life due to chronic pain some docs say i need to lose weight overs tell me to put more on they finally found medication which has gotten rid of a good 80% of my pain i wish you all the best dont let what others comment to you dictate how you view yourself, be happy with you and the progress you've made
Happy you don't feel pain anymore! Congrats & happy you gained weight if that helped with the pain. Its your body you have to live with it! Edit: so don't let others who have never had to feel it influence you with their uninformed opinions Hope you feel good as long as necessary
i'm so happy for you !! that's truly amazing and i hope you're as proud as you should be if not more. people giving comments like that unprovoked are the absolute worst and as someone who didn't kno they had an ed until it made them faint, i def understand how getting healthy can still suck cos no one else sees the progress except for you. but you're not alone and i hope you know how well you've done
as someone who is also trying to gain weight for health reasons, although it's not for chronic pain (eating disorder), i completely relate to what zach has been dealing with. trying to gain weight has been a challenge. it's been 4 months and i've seen very minimal results. thank you zach for encouraging me to keep going :)
Good luck on your journey it’s not easy I know from personal experience. I went through something very similar to you. I was anorexic and weighted about 134 at 6 ft tall and have made it to 176. You can do it just stay consistent and put in the work and you’ll be there before you realize it!
don't lose hope and, most importantly, don't berate yourself! recovery is not linear but it's a constant work in progress. I wish you the very best and I hope you have the support you deserve ♥
It sucks! I've been there (ARFID, anxiety, & food related OCD). Struggling to eat while people berate you for having a "problem they wish they had" sucks and delegitimizes the hardships it causes. Keep up with it, know to forgive yourself for the hard days, and know that it's worth it
@@stacylitwin1466 My heart and support goes out to you. My husband has ARFID and had spent years avoiding a lot of social gatherings because of the stigma of him not being able to eat many types of food.
When he said "this has to become a full time job" oh my God, I felt that. Having AS and chronic pain really is like a full time job. As well as AS, I also have fibromyalgia, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Psoriatic Arthritis. I can't work not only because of the pain, but because I have too many medical appointments in one week to be able to even contemplate having time for a job. I sometimes average up to six appointments a week, and sometimes even have three in one day. Working on managing chronic pain is really, really hard. Don't be too hard on yourself if you feel like you're not achieving anything or being lazy/a burden if you can't work. The energy that we expend is the same, if not more than the average working person does in a week. You should be proud of yourself for all of the time and effort you are putting in to better yourself and your health. ❤
This!! Even just trying to manage your responsibilities outside your illness while being chronically ill is so exhausting. I've had to move 7 times and have been homeless twice over the last 3 years (which is unfortunately not uncommon these days) and trying to fill in forms, change addresses, make phone calls, go to meetings in person, budget to just afford to meet your needs, while just trying to physically take care of yourself feels impossible sometimes. It's so nice to see even people who are successful and stable struggle with trying to manage life with chronic illness
Zach, I also have ankylosing spondylitis, and we were diagnosed right around the same time. You've been there with me since the beginning of my diagnosis and even though you don't know me, you should know that you helped me feel less alone until I was able to build my own support system. I hope your symptoms improve, and I'm so proud of you for all the hard work you've put in.
"This is not a video where there is an amazing before and after" Yes it is! The difference is huge. You look amazing, Zach! Thank you for sharing your story, tears and laughter included.
It's really touching to hear/see all of this. He didn't have to show himself so vulnerable infront of the whole internet but he decided to do so (which probably needs lots of strengh) and even from reading just a few other comments I can see that it helps and inspires others.
It’s really when you have nothing to lose that being vulnerable becomes a lifeline. It’s not even about strength. At that point you don’t have a choice but to ask for help by broadcasting your own struggles.
What Zach said about his goal being to have a happy future rly resonated me. As a disabled person,, fear about my disability affecting my future (family and whatnot) is so strong. Zach, it's rly inspiring to see you go through this journey. It gives people like me hope. Thank you ❤️
I think I'm going to keep this video bookmarked. I'm disabled, and in the past year it's been progressing rapidly. I'm only 20, but I've been getting that instinctive feeling that if nothing changes, I wont be able to walk by the time I'm 25. But it's hard to try, when no one around me has the same base line. It's embarrassing, to go workout with a friend and tap out three minutes in. But I have to try, right? This video means a lot to me. I need to remember that my body isnt like everyone elses. I wont see the same results, and that's not what I can afford to prioritize. I cant keep being in pain. And I can do something about it. Hopefully. I can try.
Every minute counts, actually every move and step counts even. I’m rooting for you! I’m doing daily stretches at home and am throwing in more and more strength exercises every day I’m able to. Just wanted to send you some encouragement and remind you that it’s not a straight path but anything you can do is amazing! You’re doing great!
"When you have the pain you don't want to burden other people with it" Dude! Same. Having chronic pain is an ordeal. I stopped mentioning it to people because they just don't understand and I don't want them to have to deal with it as I do. Please know that you're an inspiration to so many and I, for one, completely understand. You are such a champ for documenting this and bringing awareness.
I feel that so much. I also have stopped really telling people because half of them look at me working long days in a kitchen and think I'm lying. Like if I were really in pain I should be curled in a ball in bed crying all day. They really don't understand. If I spend a day laying in bed I hurt so badly that I am literally unable to function. If I lay in bed, on top of my body being in horrible pain, I get debilitating headaches from the tension in my body that have lasted days at best and weeks at their worst. I don't have the luxury of laying in bed and feeling sorry for myself. It's just not even worth it.
Same, sadly. Osteoporosis at 35 from cancer, chemo, and genetics. After a while, you just get paranoid thinking you're a broken record and people don't wanna hear it anymore. So what's the point of mentioning it? Much love to Zach. The road to recovery is rough and doesn't always show progress when you want it to. But hard work and persistence will pay off. Stay positive, warriors! 💪
My husband is going through chronic pain because of his neuropathy and has been going through it for over a year now. I’m wondering how Maggie coped seeing you in constant pain for all these years. If there is anyone else out there with a significant other going through chronic pain, how have you dealt with seeing them always in pain? I feel like I try to help but sometimes it is difficult for me to see him going through that much pain and not be able to fix it.
It's cool how this vid also shows (without trying to hide it) that maintaining and improving your health as someone with chronic pain is a full-time job. The amount of time needed for exercise, food prep, the cost, all while also working a job or being a caregiver...it all adds up. A lot of fitness influencers will make it sound like the investment is minimal, and "anyone can do it" and totally blow off that a person with a physical condition might be starting from a -5 every day.
excercise, food prep, and cost are all things everyone has to deal with when on a health/fitness journey, and although chronic pain does make it harder, it doesn't take a significant amount longer/more expensive. I think fitness influencers try to make it sound easy because if they make it seem hard less people will try, but if they make seem easier, more people will try and take those small steps and thus more will fall in love with it and commit to the lifestyle. They say anyone can do it because it's true, a vast vast majority of the population can do it and this video is a great example of that.
@@nathangaspacio6128 2 things here first, having a chronic condition like Zach's or other conditions like MS, ASL, or even chronic pain from a previous injury (I usually have some pain in my right knee from a severe dislocation as a result of a skiing accident years ago) can be debilitating. And yes, chronic pain can make your life more expensive. Do you have any concept of how expensive the medications are for conditions like MS? They can cost thousands of dollars a month, and if you have shit insurance or a high deductible that can add up quickly. Add to that the cost of specialist visits both in terms of time and money and it becomes quite the burden. Second, yes having an exclusively vegan diet that still provides all the necessary nutrients needed for a human to live can be and often is quite expensive. For the same price as a 5lb pack of chicken thighs I can buy a single small pack of seitan. Access matters too. Many people in this country live in "food deserts", where the nearest actual grocery store is too far away to access, so they rely on what they can buy at places like Dollar General, 7/11, or other cheap convenience stores that often do not have quality food or fresh produce. There is also the time and energy it takes to meal plan and meal prep, which can be difficult if you are working full time and have other responsibilities like being a caregiver. I don't think you understand how debilitating chronic conditions can be. Either that or you're intentionally dismissing them.
@@tompadfoot3065 also this! I live in Canada and had roommates from a coastal part of the US during university who were originally horrified when I told them about cooking with canned or frozen vegetables. When they saw that my fresh grocery bill was often 3x or more than theirs (due to living in a climate where we only produce a few months a year, and can only grow certain veggies), it suddenly made more sense that I didn't eat big, fresh salads daily. GETTING to eat specific diets is a huge privilege already, and it was good to see this video acknowledging how it's not universally accessible.
@@robynp9872 1000%! I grew up pretty poor, and my single mom worked nights, so we ate canned veggies until I was well into high school. In the summer we'd sometimes have fresh stuff from my grandma's garden or sweet corn from the farm on the edge of town. I didn't start cooking with fresh veg until I was in college
The SMILE when he said he needed both resistance bands is enough to push me to go back to the gym. I want that smile. You worked so hard for it dude! KEEP IT UP! Maybe post more progress next year too? I'd be very interested to see you do a check in at least once a year if not more!
Having him be honest about how draining chronic illness can be both physically, emotionally, financially... its so important and im glad he's showing people what we go through just to get day to day
I can’t wait for Zach to be a dad, and I would like to say to my man here- even if you have trouble holding your kids, they will be so well loved, they will be so lucky to have you. That means more then being picked up, 1000 percent. You’ll be an amazing father
Yep! I was the youngest in my family + my dad was already 50+ when I was born, so most of my memories include "careful of dad's knees/back/etc" being yelled at parks/BBQs/the beach/etc - and there's no love lost between us 👌🏻
Disabled and was told I couldn’t parent and that pregnancy would be dangerous. I did it anyways. My son is one now. I’m still doing it. And sometimes we have to get creative. Like yesterday, for example, I got stuck on the floor in pain, trying to put my son down for a nap. So we made a game of it. Nap time didn’t happen but baby was safe and so was I. You make it work. Don’t listen to able-bodied people worrying about your ability to parent. They don’t know what it’s like. Listen to your peers and work hard. You can do it.
I have two kids and chronic illness/pain/fatigue. I read something about “parenting from the couch” that resonated with me. It’s ok if you need to parent from the couch (or floor). We get creative in my house, too. I’d have my kids run their little cars on my body while I was laying on the couch, lots of laying there and chatting with them, giving them things like stickers that they can put anywhere that’s soft (carpet, clothes, couch, etc), and lots and lots of books. My kids are 6 and 8 now and voracious readers and I think that’s bc I’ve read so much to them. Hang in there, you’re doing great and your kid just wants you. ❤️
@@beccaschlomann7592 my dad has chronic pain related to joint issues and diabetes (which led to a few mini strokes) and I remember playing "alligator" with him as a kid. He would lay on the floor and we would have to run from one couch to the other without him "waking up" and catching our legs. He spent most of the time pretending to be asleep 😂
It reminded me of what someone once told me: "Choose your hard." Nothing in life is 100 percent smooth sailing, but you can choose your hard. Dealing with loneliness vs making an effort to maintain great relationships, working hard to advance your career vs not doing so and later struggling with having a late retirement, etc. What helped me was the autonomy of getting to choose my hard, when both choices are equally unappealing.
My friend was diagnosed with MS at 19. And he really struggled with his illness at first. Then he found he had fewer flare ups when he exercised regularly and changed his diet. He’s now 38 and a personal trainer and hasn’t had a flare up in years. Zach, you are an inspiration to people and it’s so good to see you taking this journey towards a more pain free life, and you can see the support you have in your partner and your friends. Good on you
My grandparent and parent have MS, I have been scared shitless about it when I was way too young watching them determinate before me, and especially since being 20 and having weird issues as well, but I started working out with heavier weight regularly and....I feel more in control. Like I am still seriously at risk and having early symptoms but even in the earliest part I have started eating and moving better and being more mindful and I'm shocked at the difference. Glad for your comment bc it's extremely moving to see testimonials about MS of every stage and age and I really really hope that no matter how hard it feels and how bad your mind/head/body feels that, possibly, someone's moved by what you said here. It's hard to even get diagnosed/recognized let alone live with and "flourish" with. Like damn. But trying together, I am hoping we got this 💕
Hey Zac, my dad has ankylosing spondylitis and he has gone through a similar process as you. He managed to be a father to me and my sister, and he even coached the varsity soccer team at my school. I totally beleive in you that you can live with AS and live a long and successful life❤️ and my dad absolutely loves your videos and he loves hearing that others have the same struggles he has. Thank you for posting these videos and being vulnerable❤️
As someone else who's chronically ill, I appreciate the way this was made. It was made for us by us. It is not inspiration p*rny, it is just nice. It shows how fucking hard it is
Seeing Zach break down like that and talking about how he can’t live the rest of his life in that much pain really hit home. I was also diagnosed with AS about 3 years ago now and it was so bad that I would get stuck in bed because it hurt so bad to move, or just walking took everything I had. Acknowledging the mental toll this takes is important because it’s nearly impossible to look forward to the future if you know how much pain you’ll be in. I also made the decision to change my diet and really focus on working out and strengthening my body. I’ve always been an athlete but once the AS made an appearance, all of that stopped. I can now squat and deadlift over my body weight and I haven’t had a flare up in over 6 months. So if anyone can relate, stick with it, it really does make a massive difference. Thank you for sharing Zach 🤍🤍
“No matter what I do, I am always in pain.” As a person with severe Fibromyalgia those words are my life. The amount of medication I am on and have tried is unfathomable. I’m only 24, but the independence I want and to go out and live my life isn’t completely there. Part of my independence was given back to me by my service dog. He gave me my independence by helping me do things I can’t do myself. For exercise, anything with impact is painful. I used to be a competitive gymnast for 10+ years before the pain. It makes me upset that just a cartwheel causes me pain. So I’ve turned to swimming. Some days I just can’t swim, but I do on the days I can. Good on you Zach for pushing through it. Chronic pain/illness is horrid because people can’t see it, the fear of being a burden is very real. Everyone is different, even when people have the same illness, the treatment and lifestyle will never be the same. Finding something that works for you is forever a challenge that may change. But keep it up and fight through, the biggest goal in life is to live life fully and happily. Just know you never fight alone.
Hearing my physio say not to over do it felt like permission. You want to move but not to the point you make your inflammation worse or drain your nervous system.
You are not alone✊🏾 I hope that brings some semblance of comfort. By the Grace of God, you’ll figure out how to create a life that fulfills and excites you in spite of the pain. You got this✨🙌🏾
I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia at 21 and I'm now 34. The struggle is very real, though we often hear "you look so healthy or you look so good". I really appreciate this video for us who have our 24-7 struggles.
I know what you are going through, i suffered for ten years. I basically wasted my Teens and twenties with constant pain. I am pain free now though. The good news is, the science has moved on, scientists no longer believe pain is always something that starts in the body and is sensed by the brain; it can be a disease in and of itself. And there is an effective cure, especially for something like Fybro. Read the nyt article "i have to believe this book cured my pain" to get a first idea
I very much like this docu-series style of zack’s chronic illness journey. So real, so relatable. Gives so much perspective for people who don’t deal with chronic illness.
As someone with multiple chronic illnesses (different things, but one is also joint related), it's good to see that I'm not the only one with these struggles, and that it's more about progress, even if it seems small and slow. A doctor had to remind me today that my "normal" is different than what's normal for others, and that's okay, as long as I know ways to manage that work for me.
The vicious cycle of fighting pain to exercise is so hard. I have fibromyalgia, and my chronic pain started when I was a child. I was actually misdiagnosed with SA for a year before i got my official diagnosis. This video is so inspiring to me.
I know Zach will never see this but I can’t tell you how inspirational he is. I wish I could be there cheering him on, getting him water, or anything else he needed lol. Just to see his vulnerability and honesty in regards to his mental, emotional, and physical health is so amazing and frankly relatable to so many of us. Even if we don’t suffer from his condition we relate to the effects of his condition. I always loved the Try Guys but the fact that they are such real honest individuals only makes you love and appreciate what they do even more.
I'm sure there are people in your life who need that type of support. If you want to help encourage someone with chronic illness or a fitness goal, we aren't rare or hard to find.
Zach started off on a really low point, and being able to physically see and feel his happiness grow by the end, was such a beautiful thing. Thank you for sharing your journey with us, for your honesty, for the ugly parts, for the happy moments. ❤
This means so much. And hearing Zach say that he doesn’t want burden anyone with his pain, I feel that. I have chronic back and neck pain (I believe stemming from a car accident and then bad posture making it worse) and I can’t remember the last time my body didn’t hurt. Thank you for inspiring me and I’m sure others to improve their life, bodies and minds.🖤
Cool, but the before and after at 20:40 shows him becoming chubby, not ripped. He didn't gain 20lbs of muscle. He gained 15lbs of FAT and ~5 lbs of muscle.
@@Tom-cn4cm the title is clickbaity, but he acknowledges himself that it’s definitely not all muscle and probably mostly fat. If he’s feeling better, and this video helps other people, I don’t see what the problem is. This has nothing to do with the comment you replied to tho, so maybe, like, chill.
love the emphasis on working out to feel better - not to diminish other reasons for working out - but working out FEELS good for a reason, and doing it regularly will make you feel better the time you aren't
I have severe nerve damage and herniated discs + arthritis in my back from a bad car accident a few years ago and am in pain management for horrific chronic pain every single minute or every single day. It makes me feel so much better when I hear you talk about it, Zach. Chronic pain makes you feel so alone- I cannot thank you enough for sharing your story. I have a 3 year old son and feel like such a failure as a mom sometimes because I can’t hold him for a long time or get down and crawl through the playground with him. I forget others are going through similar experiences. You’ve been a great strength to me in my pain story and I am so excited you’re documenting this process. 💜💜💜
i feel like being disabled is a constant grieving process , even on our best days because for most of us we know that those days are few and far between. i'm currently more in the stage where you started: i got over really scary covid where i thought i was going to die just back in May and i think it did some permanent damage to my already weak body. i also have undiagnosed adhd which means even if i want to work on my strength anywhere i can, i have a hard time getting the motivation to or get a good schedule down. plus adhd + chronic pain causes terrible sleeping patterns and i'm currently waking up at 6pm and going to bed at 10am so i altogether feel pretty discouraged and sick all the time. now i'm overweight which adds another challenge to physical therapy and mental health. but i'm trying so hard to stay positive and do all i can to go forward. been trying to get a psych eval for over a year. i get to physical therapy almost every week but it's rough and i'm wiped out for the rest of that week and in pain. damn this turned into a trauma dump on accident. i just want everyone who doesn't have a disability to know that our progress and health is not linear and will never be fixed by a new diet or exercise or even medication. i'm so proud of zach's journey and i hope he can start to have more good than bad days but i've had way too many rude people watch videos like this to convince me that if i was "just healthy and moved more" i'd get better.
"i'm so proud of zach's journey and i hope he can start to have more good than bad days but i've had way too many rude people watch videos like this to convince me that if i was "just healthy and moved more" i'd get better." SO TRUE. (Fellow disabled person here)
The medications I needed caused weight gain and with my myriad of health issues my thyroid/adrenals etc are a mess. My Dr keeps saying it’s not what you are eating and you move as much as you can, so to live in incomprehensible pain to be thinner or live still in pain but functioning and overweight. Don’t judge people by their body suit, everyone has a story and you don’t know it. Be kind! Ditto on the sleep. I haven’t sleep when it’s dark out for years. I’m lucky to get three consecutive hours a day. And that has a profound impact on your physical and mental health.
ADHD peer here! I’m proud of you for what progress you’ve made and for accepting the journey still to come. Being ADHD means a higher statistical likelihood of back pain from inner hyperactivity translating into constant muscle tension. And bad sleep quality compound’s everything. I see you! You’re doing your best and your best changes every day. Don’t give up! Once you do get that diagnosis you’re fighting for things will change for the better
I was diagnosed earlier this year with AS and luckily I don’t have fusion as of my last MRI. Your initial AS video helped me recognize my symptoms, advocate for myself and get a diagnosis. I started one shot of Humira and my rheumo and I think I had a neurological reaction with pins and needles in my legs. I have an appointment today to discuss what medication to try next. Your video gives me some hope and I appreciate you putting yourself out there for all of us going through similar experiences. I swim and have had success with a cleaner diet, but I’m still struggling. I hope you continue to feel better on this journey ❤️
As someone who lost their uni years to chronic pain, it's really relieving to see such realistic content and relatable feelings especially surrounding the pain of working out. I called workout muscle pain good pain because you earnt it and it fades unlike the fibromyalgia and RA pain I've been dealing with for 3 years. But it's so hard to get to the point of working out continuously with the pain that no one should feel guilty about taking their time on the journey.
Literally crying because i got diagnosed with AS at 16 and right now i am going through all the emotions and i totally understand when he talks about the burden on people. Thank you zach
My dad had it too, my sisters and i probably do as well. It absolutely SUCKS, but i am very glad for you, that you know about it so early! I wish you the very very best on navigating this absolute shitfest of a disease, you got this!!!
When he said "everything I'm doing now is so I can have a better future." I received a new diagnosis last week and my life forever changed. Diet and exercise must be an important part of my life now and when the workout gets tough or I really crave something I say "this is for my future." And it keeps me going! This is the video I needed right now! I'm so proud of you Zach and thank you!
As someone with fybromyalgia who went from having to lie down an entire day after going to physical therapy, to being able to hike in the mountains for a day, this video honestly made me cry. Chronic pain takes such a toll, physically and emotionally and watching you going through a similar process was really nice to watch. It made me feel less alone. I hope you can continue on this path and work towards having even less pain ❤️
@@rorehmani Not that much, I do try to eat mostly wholefoods and eat vegan when I can/ want to. I'm also trying to have a more steady eating schedule but that's really hard for me 🙈
3:30 I love that you're so dedicated not just for yourself, but for Maggie and future kids. That's really admirable and I hope you're able to meet and sustain your goals.
You know this makes me realize from the Try Guys Documentary that when Zack took over the work for Keith and Eugene while they were doing other projects, what an absolute incredible thing that was for him to do. To be in so much pain but step up to the plate for someone else is the hallmark of an incredible person!
My name is Kate. I’ve lived with AS for twenty years, carried two children, and had two healthy boys, but my immune system tried to terminate me during both pregnancies. Regardless the trials, I pulled thru it each time. My second son was a premie in part due to my AS. Because his abrupt entrance into this world, he was carried most his life and his sweet feet didn’t regularly hit the ground till he was around 4 years old 😂 my point is you adapt. You figure it out, and sometimes endure major pain in order to carry or hold your child, you just do. Another thing I thought was interesting is my son, the one who never walked, also adapted, and would cling tighter to my frame when I was carrying him and would become fatigued. He helped solve the problem. This will happen to you too. You will find a way with the people you love to make it work. I wish you much luck, and little pain.
Hiii kate, im 21 yo rn and I also have AS can i ask tips from you to maintain body health? I accidentaly found out i have as coz of my backpain which i believe had no connection w AS, i think it just another muscle problem but i ended getting diagnosed, i dont really feel any stiffness other then when I woke up, but I really appreciate if you can share your routine to maintain your Health, thanksss
I relate so much to the "when you have the pain you don't want to burden other people with it." Chronic pain is so isolating. Way to go on putting in the work to live a more functional, less pain life!
As someone who also has Ankylosing Spondylitis, it is so scary to make changes to fit your new life with this disability/disease. We're all different when it comes to how our body can be treated- I'm so proud of you for being vulnerable and showing this side of you, Zach!
So proud of Zach for finding a routine that works for him, but wanted to add a reminder that there is a huge spectrum of disability and chronic illness and some people can experience ill effects from exercise, some people just do not have the energy or stamina, etc. the list goes on.
Exactly, and even though a victory for one of us is a victory for us all, it does still hurt that a lot of us have no scope of progress, but even if some of us do most disabled people don’t have the money and resources needed for that change. I need a caregiver but can’t afford one. But still I’m happy that some of us have the ability to improve. Congrats Zack, it took tons of hard work! Super proud of you, and exercise is awesome. When you are physically disabled you realize what an amazing privilege stength, stamina, and movement can be. 🥰
Managing your body as a full-time job, I felt that so much to the point of not being able to hold a kid. It's why I'm child free for a long time. Thank you for being inspiring and open.
What really helped with my fibromyalgia was massage and obviously changing my diet. I know massage seems counter productive since you don't want to be touched, but I saw a physical therapist who just did massage on me and it felt great. Oh, and once was feeling better I did light yoga. As for the diet, i did the Whole30 diet. It's hard to keep up in today's world, but OMG I felt AMAZING! I had so much energy and actually slept 8 hours a night waking up feeling amazing. I almost felt normal. I'm on a modified diet now, not as good, but easier to keep up. I don't know if you've tried any of this, but maybe it could help.
@@tiffanyw3425 Like mentioned I've tried many things, I've tried changing my diet many times and nothing. The massage actually does help but it's expensive & I can't do it all the time. My insurance covers some but not all but I'll figure out.. I'm still trying 🙂
My grandma has this disease and this is the first time that I hear someone talking about it online. Wow. This made me very emotional. She got miss-diagnosed all her life and used to scream in pain until she went on a medical trial and she can now walk to work. My grandad would take me to buy bread, even though we already had some bread at home, so I don't see how much she was hurting. Thank you for putting light to this disease. My grandma had a kid and 2 beautiful grandkids. You definitely can be a dad. You CAN!
Part of being an incredible parent is loving your future child so much you don’t want to bring them into the world and risk them living in this much pain.
I'm so proud of you for posting this. There is so much "fitness knowledge" that doesn't detail how difficult it is to start somewhere. Anywhere! I'm so proud of you for trying. You have shown everyone your journey past how difficult this journey is to start for everyone individually. You're doing a great job trying so hard. It's really difficult and you deserve acknowledgement. Thank you Zack!
So proud of Zach’s progress-it’s great that he’s taken the initiative to change his diet and add exercise to help with the pain. My roommate has had chronic pain for years (sciatica) and she just keeps moving every day, even if it is bad. None of the medical treatments she had tried worked so she exercises and got certified to teach yoga in 2020. The pain definitely isn’t all in your head, but keeping busy and preoccupied does help a bit-even if the pain doesn’t completely go away.
The fact that it's this difficult with a support structure and full access to medical care really shows how hard it is for someone, even in near ideal circumstances, to deal with their disability (and I think he's said he deals with depression too). It's hard to stay on a regimen when things happen in life, it's hard to completely change your diet, it's hard to be able to take the time out to exercise or prepare meals on busy days, it's hard to get motivated when you're just in so much pain you feel like you can't get out of bed. I absolutely love this video and I appreciate you being so vulnerable about your feelings during the process. As another person with chronic pain and disability, this makes me feel so seen and I appreciate you and this video so much.
As someone with chronic pain, watching this was very emotionally relatable. I gained so much more respect for him, continuing to do crazy things with the try guys while suffering from chronic pain.
For people with autoimmune disease like us, you are doing so much for our community! I sobbed hearing you talk about what felt so close to my own experiences. Thank you Zack!
I love how you said "it is a pain that I choose" about exercise. My mother has chronic pain, and in her journey to get healthier and feel better exercise has also been important. The pain may never go away but you need to keep your spirt up a keep moving forward.
As a fellow autoimmune spoonie I can definitely attest to it not being about a major physical change, working out really is about feeling even incrementally better as a whole, getting sleep, growing muscles to support aching joints, and having more energy to live your life the way you wanna life it. Thank you Zach for your content you’re inspiring me to go back to the gym after a half a year stint of doing almost nothing for my body and major flare ups.
Zach might be the only "celebrity" that I can _really_ relate to. I see so much of myself in him, and he inspires me so much to be more comfortable with myself. It always breaks my heart to see him in pain, and I sm do incredibly proud of him for doing this! I hope it can inspire me to get back to eating healthy and exercising again, after suffering a chronic, severe depression. I am slowly starting to move my body every day, even if it's just a little.
I don’t have this same auto immune disease but I do have one. & I forgot how much working out & eating more calories could make me feel better. I needed this motivation. Thanks Zach
I have chronic issues as well and I'm about to start this. It's time. I've been too sick and too miserable for too long. I need to eat more and exercise like I did before I got incredibly sick.
This is so important to the disability community. Showing the moments when it legit sucks, when it doesn’t feel like you’re making progress, when you feel like giving up. Showing how hard it is. And acknowledging that chronic illness isn’t just going to magically go away, but that we absolutely have to take care of ourselves in any way we can
One of my favorite channels is LukeNarwhal, he does Reddit reading videos of weight loss subreddits and I’ve learned so much useful info from that channel. You can do this! Your body will feel so much better and the gains you get from losing that much weight literally makes you feel like a superhero because you never realize how strong your muscles are from carrying hundreds of extra pounds with you everywhere. I really hope you do well and have many more healthy and happy years to come!
Not me violently crying through another Zach chronic pain episode. Nobody talks about how much it really sucks, how exhausting it is to be in pain all day every day. So thank you so much Zach for sharing your journey, and giving people a chance to understand what life is like for us. ❤️
Same! I’m trying not to sob bc this is my life. I’m trying to get to the point where I have the energy to change my diet and exercise but my fatigue is so bad. But this video gave me up. I want to live a better life
I’m chronically ill with Crohn’s disease but I have the gene that means I am at risk of one day developing ankolysing spondylitis and Zach is the only reason I feel slightly better about the fact it could happen to me. I already get so much comfort from him since he commits so much to himself and his health that it makes me believe I can do it too💛
I was diagnosed with AS in 2020, and the videos Zach has made about it have really helped me. When I look up videos and websites about it everything is always so bleak, depressing, and overwhelming. Zach does a really amazing job of acknowledging that it is terrible, but still actively trying to improve his situation. It helps me also try to make progress, and to not get too depressed and give up.
Zach didn't start out as my favorite, but he has grown on me through the years and now I adore him. What a good hearted person. It's been awesome to watch him grow!
hi, i feel like my story will be a lil different from the ones you'd normally hear, but i feel like sharing:) as a person with an eating disorder, this video just made my heart so happy. i know it's different situations completely, but it's another example from someone i love showing that body fat is positive. it's healthy. it's there to protect your body. it really hit home when he was so proud of his lil belly, it made me incredibly happy. thank you, try guys.
I just want to throw in there, from another perspective of a person with disabilities; everyone is so different and the presentation and challenges of disability is unique to everyone and there is an ongoing balance to be had between trying - sometimes desperately - to get back to a place you thought was 'normal' to the point that it takes over your whole life and doesn't actually help you accomplish your goals day-to-day or long-term. For some of us, there is a balance and a freedom in embracing mobility support and in-home aids if you can find/afford them. Make sure to always keep the big picture in mind and give yourself the freedom to adjust your routine and your goals and explore each option out there to help you accomplish what you want. For some of us, adjusting diet, working out, hiring personal fitness professionals, hiring massage therapists - it's just impossible. And sometimes no matter what you do, you will never get back a body you had, that body is gone and you're in a new one now, and you need to be problem solving for that body instead. This isn't really a reference to Zach specifically, but I do think it's very important to let people know 'getting back to ''normal'' does NOT always have to be the ultimate goal, and sometimes it's an impossible one and can be harmful if that's the only narrative you're being fed and your only way of defining 'success'. This disability content is very important and very helpful, but I would also really love to see a bigger range of stories and narratives out there or perhaps just a bit of broader context tacked on. Mostly, I just want people to be very mindful and very careful about framing the idea of 'having to use a wheelchair' or 'having to use a mobility device' or whatever as an abject failure and 'getting back to ''normal'' or 'getting back to a ''working'' body' as the ultimate goal and only option for success. Sometimes there is a vibe of that and it's worth being mindful about it.
I have a disability sort of similar to zach and this ep got to me. He really hits on how isolating and depressing pain disorders can be. Honestly this has inspired to try to take my pt routine a little more seriously
I've suffered with severe chronic anorexia nervosa for 20+ years. Two summers ago my weight had been holding steady at 63 pounds (BMI of 11) for several years, and I feel like I share a lot of the same emotions you shared in this video about quality of life. I found a personal trainer and was able to gain 20 pounds through weight training and eating more. The goal of getting fit and strong was enough to get me to overcome (some of) of the psychological blocks and get the food in. About a month ago, I had lost a bit of weight and so now my goal is to reach 90 pounds by Christmas (four months). I hear you about all the hardships you faced through this process. There just aren't enough calories in a day! Bless you and best of luck on you continued health journey!
As someone with chronic pain/invisible illness, this video is so relatable and inspiring. I go through phases of putting a lot of effort into my health and then letting myself go again when it gets too hard. It’s a vicious cycle, but I’m never going to stop trying.
It is so overwhelming because in modern life, in capitalism that is so fast paced, there's so much to get done anyway, that having to add so many steps to your day to maintain your health can seem and feel daunting
More people need to talk about how chronic pain is a mental health issue. It's relentless, and when pain management isn't working it feels inescapable. When you're stuck like that it's inevitable to feel depressed or worse
Absolutely. One of my conditions can cause severe pain. I will randomly feel like I'm being stabbed in the knee as I walk to work and I have to just keep walking and act the same as everyone around me. It really takes a toll to have to constantly hide part of your experience.
it causing mental health issues and being a mental health issue aren't the same
@@shrub9677 You should expand on that.
@@shrub9677 There is actually a lot of evidence that shows that depression and anxiety can cause physical pain, most typically lower back pain, as well as fatigue and other physical symptoms. Pain can cause depression, depression can cause pain. It can be a vicious cycle.
@@MikeRotch11 yeah but it’s initially started with chronic pain
The way Zach's face lit up for a moment, despite his pain, when Maggie said "You look like a superhero" ♥️ The difference love can make.
Yeees, I am so happy Zach has someone as amazing as Maggie in his life! They deserve each other
Chronic pain babe here looking for that kind of support
@@emilywarren3053 you got thiss 🥰 it will be better soon n you are no less than a super hero🥰
And Bowie following him doing lunges across the room ❤
Time stamp?
it's really comforting to know that other guys out there get so upset and frustrated about being chronically Ill and in pain.
As someone in chronic pain for the past 10 years I feel so much happier watching things like this because I know I'm not the only one who feels fed up and frustrated!!!!
We love you Zach 💚
Same it is bittersweet really, but validating. Take care yall
Of course! You're human 💖
It is sadly validating knowing I am not the only one. And, yep it is a full time job to do everything possible so I can function as a human being. But, sometimes it just gets so exhausting.
I’m a women but when he started talking about having kids and his future I started to cry. I am at the same point. It is a full time job surviving. I will never thrive.
I love Zach’s content on managing chronic pain/disabilities and I would love to see more of this in the Tri Guys’ rebranding process.
As someone who uses a Service Dog for multiple chronic pain/illnesses I wholeheartedly second this.
Me too!!!
Not "Tri" 🤣🤣✋
100% living for it!
TRI GUYS LMAOOOOO
My dad has ankylosing spondylitis and was told he’d be in a wheelchair by 35. He was on meds his rheumatologist gave him that gave him a heart attack at 50. Now, he still swims 5 times a week and does pilates everyday and there’s still flare ups, but at 63 he’s able to live a relatively normal life and is one of the healthiest and fittest people I know.
I'm really glad to hear that. :)
Good to know. I have RA and exercise therapy changed my life.
Go dad!!
First of all, I love your name ❤️ second, glad your dad is doing well!
Go dad!!
When Zach said he couldn't carry a kid, my heart broke for him. Zach would be such a great dad.
But maybe he could now. His increase in arm strength on the resistance bands was amazing. There are also items like wraps and carriers that parents can use to “wear” their babies.
I do hope he and Maggie grow their family!
I hope he makes the progress he needs to feel comfortable becoming a dad. He's such a sweetheart. He deserves a normal family life.
Such an ignored side of having autoimmune disease is the fear of passing that to any potential children and yeah there’s ways to prevent that but those are expensive and not accessible.
I teared up when that came around 🥺
If I can, he can. You can do some pretty insane shit when your heart and soul want it. I can't carry my daughter around everyday anymore (she's 2) but I found I had reserves I didn't know when it came time to parent.
Hey Zach. My dad has ankylosing spondylitis too and he's the best dad in the world. You'll be an amazing father.
this is such a sweet comment!!! Tell your dad he made my day and Im so happy for you!
Why did this make me cry
I hope Zach sees this comment.
@@bodiesXunderXmyXbed I’m crying with you, it’s so sweet 🥹😅
This is such a sweet comment
Zach’s fr changing himself for the better and his confidence is skyrocketing. From seeing him from buzzfeed to now, it’s astonishing keep up the good work
Can we talk about how amazing Maggie is for a minute?
She seems like such a validating and sweet support system who matches Zach’s energy and I really hope that anybody with a disability or chronic pain finds somebody who is that supportive and positive.
Exactly! I don't even have a chronic illness but my body is covered in scars. And the parents of my ex boyfriend suggested he should break up with me because they assumed I was chronically ill and they thought it is impossible to have a healthy and happy relationship with a person like me which is all kinds of fucked up...
I’d kill for wife like that 🥺
@@barracuda0405 i am so sorry they said that but i hope you are better with out that negativity xx
@@luennii thank you! And yes much better! My current boyfriend and his family are both super adorable :3
@@barracuda0405 thats great to hear. hope good things are to come for you and your lovely families ❤️
The Try Guys have been putting out very important videos lately, with this one and the breast cancer one recently, and I'm really glad they're doing this because I think it's really important to be able to show people about these kinds of things. Zach and Rachel especially are so brave to be so open on camera!
I second that.
Third it too.
I rly liked the lgbtq makeover video too. I think that one had a lot of rly important and impactful stuff in it too.
You saying that you don’t talk about it even to your family or Maggie because you don’t want to burden them with your chronic pain really got me. It’s exactly how I feel. I have fibromyalgia and though I hurt all the time it’s really something I rarely talk about even with my family because it’s hard to just discuss chronic pain when you know your alone in it.
the only problem is that they promote a vegan diet
"It has taken me all morning [...] just to feel like a human"
That phrase resonated with me. I struggle with anxiety and after a while going into therapy I found myself crying telling to my therapist: "it is exhausting thinking I have to dedicate so much time everyday simply to feel like others feel by default. Sometimes I'd like a day off but I can't or I'll start feeling bad again and the thought is suffocating"
Oh boy do I resonate with all that you said. It’s so exhausting. And it’s a never ending “job”
Preach. Took me three days to work up the spoons to go and get groceries today. Only took me an hour but I came home and ended up needing a power nap.
This is the way I feel about my mental health and depression. I feel so validated right now
mmm same except i can’t even speak to a therapist tn
@@animefallenangel That hit me at a personal sore spot. Thanks for sharing your experience. I have similar mounds to climb, and it gets frustrating when people are convinced "you aren't doing enough fast enough" and blow right by you in life. Still trying to work up spoons to do basic things, and can't share the specific struggles because I don't wanna hear it...
As a fellow disabled person with chronic pain, this video made me very emotional and I even cried. I am where Zach was at the beginning of this video - in a lot of pain every day, not seeing progress, and even feeling like I'm slipping backward. Seeing and hearing Zach take the steps to feel less bad (as I like to say) makes me feel inspired. Even though the thought of working out seems really daunting and terrible, I need to make this change so that my quality of life is better. Thank you, Zach and the other members of the team that have made this video, because I needed this.
Right there with you! I’m gonna have to look into what exercise I can safely do (fibro, arthritis, cEDS, ME/CFS, and an oversensitive heart), but I really need to do something, cause my quality of life is basically non-existent, and that’s just *exhausting*. Good luck on your journey!! ❤
You can do this!!! Have you started your exercises yet? Don't lose motivation.
I hear ya. I also have AS like Zach. when my nephew was born my sister moved in with us and in the process of helping her care for my nephew I ended up needing surgery on my shoulder. I take the TNF blockers, I exercise as I can. I work as a tour guide so each tour I walk 5-10K. I can only do one or two tours a week because I need days to recover between each. I am in a place where I don't feel like I am making any progress and I ever consider switching jobs sometimes but I love it and I know the activity is good for me. I just try not to give up and to keep fighting to be well even if I am in pain all day every day.
@@bluemoonsyrupSending Prayers and best wishes❤ i hope you are healthy, safe and doing well❤ wishing you the best on your journey❤
@@slothdance2020Sending Prayers and best wishes❤ i hope you are healthy, safe and doing well❤ wishing you the best on your journey❤
Seeing a fitness/lifestyle transformation on youtube that was not about aesthetic and really glorified health over all else was very uplifting. Thanks for being so open!
Not only uplifting but so much more authentic than the “get abs in one month!” wave of videos we had at the start of the lockdown years ago.
right !!! and i so agree w the first reply under this too. it's so tough now trying to work out in a society that gives the spotlight to working out in order to look good rather than to just feel and ~be~ good and that's definitely influenced things i've prioritized in my own health and managing my own chronic issues
This is what I want to see normalized.
Move around and work out for what's inside your flesh. Not for what's outside.
Yes! Much more relatable and less intimidating to see that everyone struggles and gains at diferent rates
idk about you guys but all i m seeing is him getting from skinny fat to fat in a year
Between his hair treatment and now this, Zack's transformation over the last few years is INSANE. We're all so proud of you for the work you've put in to better yourself.
I'm mostly happy he's in a place in his career where he's willing to get there. I've had many times where I just give up reaching my goals because of time and money.
I'm actually glad that this focused on exercise for dealing with pain rather trying to change looks. I feel like that's the main focus of the industry. You don't have to be ripped to exercise and be healthy, nor should it be your goal. Zach took a really healthy approach to this, and I'm glad it's helping him deal with his pain.
There's nothing healthy about that, he ate way too much and simply got fat. And being fat isn't healthy..
@@j.b.7982 if his weight gain lessened the pain he had and improved his quality of life significantly, than yes this is healthy for him
@@tabithabeck1204 he said the pain was still there but now he sleeps better. How you attribute the positive effects being from him getting fat and not him working out borders on delusion. There are some people who need to gain weight, but getting fat is not helpful for any disease.
@@KoopsTech I don't attribute the positive effects on him getting fat. He gained weight, not only fat but also muscle and I think the added muscle made him healthier. He said that he worked out before but his symptons didn't lessen so it's not only the working out part that helped him, the gained muscle did too. Yes it would be healthier at this point if he'd reduce his fat percentage but I'm comparing him to his starting point, not the epitome of health. Compared to a year before, he is healthier if we can trust his bodily cues.
You are supposed to look good tho, thats why the whole industry focuses exactly on that. If u wanna we super fat or skinny then u do u, but dont expect to be respected by anyone and keep telling yourself that youre fine like youre unstable.
I just want to appreciate Zach's honesty about the chronic pain fueled suicidal thoughts. I have chronic joint pain and chronic migraines, when both of them flare up I do genuinely have moments of like 'well this will last forever, I should chuck myself out a window'. Being conscious of these thoughts and mindful that it isn't a real representation of how I feel (being in pain counts as 'under the influence' to me) is useful, and talking about those struggles is important, especially in an age where disability being seen as Not Bad sometimes leads to people thinking its Good, and all positive with no drawbacks
That's real right there. I can understand that in some way.
Your comment about being "under the influence" 🤯! Applies to anything that's got us out of our stable, at ease status
As someone on disability for severe panic attacks, the “this has to be my full-time job” part was really helpful to hear. One of the worst parts of having an invisible illness is that you think you’re in it alone. It’s nice to be reminded that other people feel the same way.
So many people!
Have you tried EMDR? Living with panic attacks is tough!
You aren't alone
@@bowsandpearls it IS 😭 yes, I did try EMDR once. I’m not sure if the therapist who gave it to me didn’t know me well enough or what, but I wasn’t ready. Five minutes of EMDR gave me suicidal thoughts for days. It isn’t for everyone, you know? But thank you for your comment, I found a new therapist and I’m working on my anxiety. One day at a time, right? :)
@@tarnacious_b Wow thank you so much! My aunt developed OCD after a traumatic childhood :/ yes, thankfully this week is more of a valley than a mountain, but I know there are peaks ahead. But hey, people climb Everest all the time! We got this! :)
This is so incredible to see. Men being both vulnerable and taking responsibility for their lives and circumstance. You are an excellent role model.
What "man" do you see here?
@@FinrodFelagund5 why are these replies so negative lmao
@@snail_smoothie2314 one reason is because people hate on everything its the internet, but to be fair this is entirely clickbait. 20lbs of muscle in a year is a possible but difficult achievement, he gained maybe 2 or 3 lbs of muscle and a tonne of fat, and he doesn't need to get fat to have a healthy diet. Also he worked out with resistance bands which is a terrible way to work out, he is a bad example of what working out for a year can do, and he didn't even fully commit to the whole thing. I'm not judging him because i don't have that disease but i can understand how people would when he is so preachy about "craving exercise"
@@nathangaspacio6128 I understand that it's clickbaity but some people just saying he's fat and ignoring the point that he said he does feel better than before. If people know he's doing it "wrong" they can give advice rather than just saying he's fat ya know? Because taht doesn't help anyone
Also the other comments like "what man do you see here" is also negative for no reason
@@snail_smoothie2314 yh true i understand where people are fcoming from just not where they ended up, cant imagine myself commenting that sorta stuff even if i didnt ilke the guy
I love you Zach. You're a freaking warrior - not the "man child" that everyone jokes about. You struggle every damn day and yet you still remain your joyful self. Thank you for sharing your journey - your videos about health and well being are so SO important to those who are watching and also struggling. Makes your audience feel less alone.
I love Zach’s attitude. Chronic pain is so hard, but he still finds so much joy in life. I love it!
He is beautifully himself.
I 100% agree. Zach you are a warrior.
I love Try Guys and you are so inspiring as I never knew you suffered chronic pain.
You Rock.
Your capacity for vulnerability to publicly share is amazing. 👏🏻
Deep Respect ✊
THIS ! ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️❗👏👏👏👏
I am sorry for my emojy breakout , but I felt so... .Idk, empathic, mostly *intimidated* by all the work one has to put in to REALLY make a change, not just decide to "TRY"...
I feel deciding to "try" is so easy, it's basically a "promise", but constructed with an "EXIT" sign every 100 feet.
Oh well it didn't work out, let's think it over and TRY something else.
But did I really try or was it just too hard to follow through, for whatever reason ?
Goal set too far, too high, expectations too high too fast, no support system - not even myself on the "Team"? Not believing in it in the first place?
I have to make big changes in at least 5 huge aspects of my life - all somehow connected , but changes in diet and exersise are a risk in on itself ( ED for 25 + years) so ....I have no clue at what point my healthy choices feed one of my unhealthy habits I try to break. When will the 1.5 hour exercise turn from powerwalking, stretching, a bit of weight training into marching with ancle weights, at 38 degree Celsius, eating healthy aka no sugar, no fat, no carbs, or only baby food under 140 kcal a glass / 250 grams, aka cutting down everything until I gain water weight, get even more scared, work out until my legs give out and still gain 1 lbs...
Abd there we go again at 10 pm on another power march, not sitting in the subway or lifting my knees if I have too...
Maybe even loosing all bone mass I re- gained over the last 10 years by "being fat" ( in my "normality" aka being creeping up to an almost normal BMI slowly) ...
I think I'll delete this tomorrow because I overshared (again) in an anxious, emotional moment.
Pre-OT Personal trainer here! 20lbs is amazing especially with resistance bands and starting out with any disability, let alone AS. I know this accomplishment took a lot of dedication like all gains require, but also a great amount of patience to learn how to work with your body safely. Most people don’t have to navigate disability barriers in fitness, which makes your story even more inspiring. Just wanted to recognize your accomplishments, people like you are why I love my job so much. Everyone is the expert on their own body and you’re doing great. If you or any followers have any questions about training details and managing disabilities please ask!! Super elated to see this video 🥰🥰
I would love some advice on an excerise routine for P.O.T.S it’s so hard to try to exercise when I feel like I’m going to pass out all the time.
@@Rena0Dawn same, I'm also really trying to gain weight so my pots doesn't get worse but most the time I'm barely getting out of bed
I think it’s a matter of getting up and just experiment with what you can handle. Exercise itself helps improve the symptoms of POTS, so you may have to simply push through a few things to find what’s in your range of tolerance while still going outside your comfort zone and being safe.
@@Rena0Dawn dysautonomia international has some solid advice; also the CHOP-Levine protocol is the go-to reconditioning program PTs use for POTS!
“When you have the pain, you don’t want to burden other people with it”
I don’t have a diagnosis yet, but as someone who has lived with consistent pain, everyday, for years now, this is how I feel every single day. It’s awful and I feel like when I’m in pain I feel like I’m letting people down. This video had me in tears. I’m so proud of Zach
Hey, good luck with getting a diagnosis 🤞 I hear you completely, but please know you're letting nobody down ❤️ sending hugs 🤗
Currently on my diagnosis journey, with you there. Why is it so hard to get done? My father had it and I know that I have the gene. One thing he said helped with the pain was scuba diving, he loved it!
Same
Also jumping through the hoops to get a diagnosis and dealing with daily pain. Thank you Zach for sharing your pain with us. It's a sad but empowering feeling to know you're not alone.
Honestly, I just feel like after they know I have a chronic pain illness what is there really left to say??? It’s our enormous burden to bare.
The end part where Zach patted his belly and said “I worked hard for that” made me tear up a little. Fat is so often demonized and seen as unhealthy but fat is healthy! Fat cushions your joints! The body needs to be in balance and needs fat to do that.
good fat is good.. the fat i have is not good LOL
@@pvic6959 putting yourself down wont help anything
Ok take it easy most people aware a little fat is good, it’s cushion, what is not good is obesity.
@@stargirl6659 no one brought up obesity ofc
Yes, fat is very important, however, it is better to have less fat than excess fat. It simply isn't healthy because of the common obesity these days, but having very low levels of bodyfat is just as dangerous as being obese. Muscle is always optimal but your body does need fat.
Ok this is gonna sound weird, but near the end when he relaxed and showed the Belly™️ I almost started crying because I went through a period of time where I was severely underweight, and when you look “thin” people assume that’s healthy. They didn’t want to see the months of illness that came before it, and they didn’t care about the struggle to gain weight afterwards. It took so long for me to get to a point where I could gain weight, and *keep it.* That’s important. That’s what my body needed. And I am so proud of it now. Hip dips, belly pouch and all. You worked hard for that Zach, and it’s amazing
ppl can really easily judge others' bodies rather they're too thin fat or muscular his body before and after was one of a warrior even if I have to admit the after was very I.pressive and this lil moment you mentioned was kinda cute tbh I'm so glad you climbed up that hill and got better mental health too I assume by taking care of your body I cannot hope anything less than for you to keep the good mindset and little wins in life as long as you're not too harsh with yourself
Honestly, abs are more aesthetic than functional healthiness. You need such a specific body type and low body fat. REAL HEALTH looks different for everyone, and Zach having no severe flare ups and being able to physically function is definitely real health.
Also, Zach is my motivation for working out.
what are you talking about he just got obese and a muffin top
yyassssss
@@punker4Real do you even workout? Because if you do you should know that despite putting on more weight, working out is definitely an improvement to health in many ways
@@punker4Real bro that's how bulking works. You pack on weight and muscle lifting and then cut/ later when you're bulky enough.
Cardio burns fat, lifting builds muscle. It's EXTREMELY hard to do both at the same time without compromising the other
Can we all take a moment to fully acknowledge his back muscles? I don’t know if he knows just how much they have grown but I really hope is proud of himself for it!
The arms and shoulders, too, very noticeable
Oh absolutely, when they showed the before and after from behind I went "Okay THERE'S the progress!"
it's weird and terrible but having you, Kelsey, and Garrett talk about chronic pain has been super validating. I've had chronic pain in some form that I can remember since middle school and hearing about the health journeys is just.. nice. it's nice to know I'm not alone in this fucked up life journey thing of pain
I hope things get better for you 💛💛
Agreed. I too have chronic pain as a somewhat younger person it makes me feel good knowing I'm not alone
@@doyalikejazz8876 I hope things get better for you 💕💕
when I listened to Guilty Pleasures and heard all three of them talking about their pain I was floored, like I'd be so grateful to hear about a single person let alone three together. It matters so much
what does Garrett have? Kelsey has trigeminal neuralgia, right?
“When you have the pain but don’t want to burden other people with it”
This really hit home to me. As someone who was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis when I was nine and diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis when I was 15, I wake up everyday with pain. It is so hard to open up to others with how I feel everyday.
Exercise has been such a game changer for how I feel both physically and mentally. I unfortunately still have symptoms but it has definitely helped to move my body and build muscle.
I'm so sorry, either of those conditions is bad enough on its own. Sending much love and glad you've found be something that helps x
That line also hit home with me as someone who suffers from ulcerative colitis!
Did you change your diet
The emotion in Zach’s voice when he says “I haven’t had a bad flare up…in a long time” is exactly what makes this so worth it. Zach is such an awesome guy and a genuine inspiration to people
I have never felt more seen than Zach explaining his "I can't live like this" moments. I feel like I can't talk to anyone about it, so this means the world to me.
Me just sitting here crying 🥲
Same here 💗
God I feel that. I had chronic migraines, that would put me in bed, vomiting every 10 days. I turned to my husband, saying "I see how people end their lives because of this" and I'm not suicidal. It just feels so debilitating. Hope you find comforting in knowing you are not alone.
Same here.
I'm chronically ill, it's getting worse and my hope is fading away every appointment. This video made me less alone, and showed that sometimes if you keep fighting it gets better. Thank you.
Keep your chin u, I am same.
I will say eating well and making a work out / exercise a priority every day has been a huge help.
Sorry I didn’t watch video when I said that
🥰🥰💜 I hope it works out for you💖💖💖
I am in the same situation with my migraines. I have dealt with so many failed medications , horrible side effects, and being dismissed by people. Thank you for commenting. I’m sorry you are in so much pain, and I hope you find something that helps.
I would STONGLY suggest looking into plant based doctors. DR. Neil Barnard is a top favorite to listen to, but Dr. Gregor, Dr. Ornish, Dr. Esselstine.. and many more. Even if it doesn't cure the problem, being on an anti inflammatory diet does amazing things for the body. The same diet that reverses heart disease and type 2 diabetes is the same one that prevents 14 of our top 15 leading causes of death.
There was also a documentary that recently came out about the gerson therapy and curing/reversing cancer through diet. The only ones I've seen not have success are those who stray from the diet.
It must have been difficult to be this vulnerable in front of so many people.....but please know that you have inspired a lot of people, be it with chronic pain or otherwise. We're so proud of you Zach! Wishing you health and happiness❤
Physical therapist here 🙋♀️ teared up several times during this seeing everything you go through day to day. I only see snippets with patients in the clinic but not the daily process you have to go through. Absolutely incredible what you’ve achieved and I know you’ll keep at it and get stronger every day 💕 so proud and so wonderful to see how much it is helping. You’re so strong and such an inspiration!
Zach saying he didn’t want to burden other people with his pain even though he couldn’t remember a time without it makes me cry.
Because this is the first time in my life for about seven years where I have not felt pain, but in some ways I still feel bad because everybody’s commenting on the fact I’ve gained weight.
This is exactly the video I’ve needed for a very long time and I’m so glad he created it. I’m so proud of the journey he’s got on too!
i understand that so much ive stuggled with an ed my whole life due to chronic pain some docs say i need to lose weight overs tell me to put more on they finally found medication which has gotten rid of a good 80% of my pain i wish you all the best dont let what others comment to you dictate how you view yourself, be happy with you and the progress you've made
Happy you don't feel pain anymore! Congrats & happy you gained weight if that helped with the pain. Its your body you have to live with it! Edit: so don't let others who have never had to feel it influence you with their uninformed opinions Hope you feel good as long as necessary
I'm proud of you, and screw anyone who feels entitled to comment on someone else's weight.
i'm so happy for you !! that's truly amazing and i hope you're as proud as you should be if not more. people giving comments like that unprovoked are the absolute worst and as someone who didn't kno they had an ed until it made them faint, i def understand how getting healthy can still suck cos no one else sees the progress except for you. but you're not alone and i hope you know how well you've done
as someone who is also trying to gain weight for health reasons, although it's not for chronic pain (eating disorder), i completely relate to what zach has been dealing with. trying to gain weight has been a challenge. it's been 4 months and i've seen very minimal results. thank you zach for encouraging me to keep going :)
Good luck on your journey it’s not easy I know from personal experience. I went through something very similar to you. I was anorexic and weighted about 134 at 6 ft tall and have made it to 176. You can do it just stay consistent and put in the work and you’ll be there before you realize it!
Good luck on ur journey❤️
don't lose hope and, most importantly, don't berate yourself! recovery is not linear but it's a constant work in progress. I wish you the very best and I hope you have the support you deserve ♥
It sucks! I've been there (ARFID, anxiety, & food related OCD). Struggling to eat while people berate you for having a "problem they wish they had" sucks and delegitimizes the hardships it causes. Keep up with it, know to forgive yourself for the hard days, and know that it's worth it
@@stacylitwin1466 My heart and support goes out to you. My husband has ARFID and had spent years avoiding a lot of social gatherings because of the stigma of him not being able to eat many types of food.
When he said "this has to become a full time job" oh my God, I felt that. Having AS and chronic pain really is like a full time job. As well as AS, I also have fibromyalgia, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Psoriatic Arthritis. I can't work not only because of the pain, but because I have too many medical appointments in one week to be able to even contemplate having time for a job. I sometimes average up to six appointments a week, and sometimes even have three in one day. Working on managing chronic pain is really, really hard. Don't be too hard on yourself if you feel like you're not achieving anything or being lazy/a burden if you can't work. The energy that we expend is the same, if not more than the average working person does in a week. You should be proud of yourself for all of the time and effort you are putting in to better yourself and your health. ❤
This!! Even just trying to manage your responsibilities outside your illness while being chronically ill is so exhausting. I've had to move 7 times and have been homeless twice over the last 3 years (which is unfortunately not uncommon these days) and trying to fill in forms, change addresses, make phone calls, go to meetings in person, budget to just afford to meet your needs, while just trying to physically take care of yourself feels impossible sometimes. It's so nice to see even people who are successful and stable struggle with trying to manage life with chronic illness
All this is 100% true in my case as well
I appreciated reading this comment, thank you
Zach, I also have ankylosing spondylitis, and we were diagnosed right around the same time. You've been there with me since the beginning of my diagnosis and even though you don't know me, you should know that you helped me feel less alone until I was able to build my own support system. I hope your symptoms improve, and I'm so proud of you for all the hard work you've put in.
Sending Prayers and best wishes❤ i hope you are healthy, safe and doing well❤
"This is not a video where there is an amazing before and after" Yes it is! The difference is huge. You look amazing, Zach! Thank you for sharing your story, tears and laughter included.
It's really touching to hear/see all of this. He didn't have to show himself so vulnerable infront of the whole internet but he decided to do so (which probably needs lots of strengh) and even from reading just a few other comments I can see that it helps and inspires others.
It’s really when you have nothing to lose that being vulnerable becomes a lifeline. It’s not even about strength. At that point you don’t have a choice but to ask for help by broadcasting your own struggles.
What Zach said about his goal being to have a happy future rly resonated me. As a disabled person,, fear about my disability affecting my future (family and whatnot) is so strong. Zach, it's rly inspiring to see you go through this journey. It gives people like me hope. Thank you ❤️
I think I'm going to keep this video bookmarked. I'm disabled, and in the past year it's been progressing rapidly. I'm only 20, but I've been getting that instinctive feeling that if nothing changes, I wont be able to walk by the time I'm 25. But it's hard to try, when no one around me has the same base line. It's embarrassing, to go workout with a friend and tap out three minutes in. But I have to try, right? This video means a lot to me. I need to remember that my body isnt like everyone elses. I wont see the same results, and that's not what I can afford to prioritize. I cant keep being in pain. And I can do something about it. Hopefully. I can try.
Every minute counts, actually every move and step counts even. I’m rooting for you! I’m doing daily stretches at home and am throwing in more and more strength exercises every day I’m able to.
Just wanted to send you some encouragement and remind you that it’s not a straight path but anything you can do is amazing! You’re doing great!
"When you have the pain you don't want to burden other people with it" Dude! Same. Having chronic pain is an ordeal. I stopped mentioning it to people because they just don't understand and I don't want them to have to deal with it as I do. Please know that you're an inspiration to so many and I, for one, completely understand. You are such a champ for documenting this and bringing awareness.
I feel that so much. I also have stopped really telling people because half of them look at me working long days in a kitchen and think I'm lying. Like if I were really in pain I should be curled in a ball in bed crying all day. They really don't understand. If I spend a day laying in bed I hurt so badly that I am literally unable to function. If I lay in bed, on top of my body being in horrible pain, I get debilitating headaches from the tension in my body that have lasted days at best and weeks at their worst. I don't have the luxury of laying in bed and feeling sorry for myself. It's just not even worth it.
Same, sadly. Osteoporosis at 35 from cancer, chemo, and genetics. After a while, you just get paranoid thinking you're a broken record and people don't wanna hear it anymore. So what's the point of mentioning it?
Much love to Zach. The road to recovery is rough and doesn't always show progress when you want it to. But hard work and persistence will pay off.
Stay positive, warriors! 💪
My husband is going through chronic pain because of his neuropathy and has been going through it for over a year now. I’m wondering how Maggie coped seeing you in constant pain for all these years. If there is anyone else out there with a significant other going through chronic pain, how have you dealt with seeing them always in pain? I feel like I try to help but sometimes it is difficult for me to see him going through that much pain and not be able to fix it.
me
It's cool how this vid also shows (without trying to hide it) that maintaining and improving your health as someone with chronic pain is a full-time job. The amount of time needed for exercise, food prep, the cost, all while also working a job or being a caregiver...it all adds up.
A lot of fitness influencers will make it sound like the investment is minimal, and "anyone can do it" and totally blow off that a person with a physical condition might be starting from a -5 every day.
excercise, food prep, and cost are all things everyone has to deal with when on a health/fitness journey, and although chronic pain does make it harder, it doesn't take a significant amount longer/more expensive. I think fitness influencers try to make it sound easy because if they make it seem hard less people will try, but if they make seem easier, more people will try and take those small steps and thus more will fall in love with it and commit to the lifestyle. They say anyone can do it because it's true, a vast vast majority of the population can do it and this video is a great example of that.
@@nathangaspacio6128 2 things here
first, having a chronic condition like Zach's or other conditions like MS, ASL, or even chronic pain from a previous injury (I usually have some pain in my right knee from a severe dislocation as a result of a skiing accident years ago) can be debilitating. And yes, chronic pain can make your life more expensive. Do you have any concept of how expensive the medications are for conditions like MS? They can cost thousands of dollars a month, and if you have shit insurance or a high deductible that can add up quickly. Add to that the cost of specialist visits both in terms of time and money and it becomes quite the burden.
Second, yes having an exclusively vegan diet that still provides all the necessary nutrients needed for a human to live can be and often is quite expensive. For the same price as a 5lb pack of chicken thighs I can buy a single small pack of seitan. Access matters too. Many people in this country live in "food deserts", where the nearest actual grocery store is too far away to access, so they rely on what they can buy at places like Dollar General, 7/11, or other cheap convenience stores that often do not have quality food or fresh produce. There is also the time and energy it takes to meal plan and meal prep, which can be difficult if you are working full time and have other responsibilities like being a caregiver. I don't think you understand how debilitating chronic conditions can be. Either that or you're intentionally dismissing them.
holy cow. exactly this.
@@tompadfoot3065 also this! I live in Canada and had roommates from a coastal part of the US during university who were originally horrified when I told them about cooking with canned or frozen vegetables. When they saw that my fresh grocery bill was often 3x or more than theirs (due to living in a climate where we only produce a few months a year, and can only grow certain veggies), it suddenly made more sense that I didn't eat big, fresh salads daily.
GETTING to eat specific diets is a huge privilege already, and it was good to see this video acknowledging how it's not universally accessible.
@@robynp9872 1000%! I grew up pretty poor, and my single mom worked nights, so we ate canned veggies until I was well into high school. In the summer we'd sometimes have fresh stuff from my grandma's garden or sweet corn from the farm on the edge of town. I didn't start cooking with fresh veg until I was in college
The SMILE when he said he needed both resistance bands is enough to push me to go back to the gym. I want that smile. You worked so hard for it dude! KEEP IT UP! Maybe post more progress next year too? I'd be very interested to see you do a check in at least once a year if not more!
right, it was so heartwarming to see him so proud of himself!
I loved that smile!
I will watch the shit out of this content!
Zach, thank you for being a voice for the autoimmune and chronic pain communities. You’ve helped more people than you know.
Having him be honest about how draining chronic illness can be both physically, emotionally, financially... its so important and im glad he's showing people what we go through just to get day to day
I wish more people could understand
And in the US, the money can drain away really easily, and then your options diminish. We need healthcare reform yesterday.
I can’t wait for Zach to be a dad, and I would like to say to my man here- even if you have trouble holding your kids, they will be so well loved, they will be so lucky to have you. That means more then being picked up, 1000 percent. You’ll be an amazing father
this made me tear up. couldn't agree more. :)
YES!!
Yep! I was the youngest in my family + my dad was already 50+ when I was born, so most of my memories include "careful of dad's knees/back/etc" being yelled at parks/BBQs/the beach/etc - and there's no love lost between us 👌🏻
His testosterone is probably very low and now eating soy all the time I doubt he will be able to become a dad but go on
But he could pass down this painful condition right?
Why would you take that chance of giving that to your kids?
Disabled and was told I couldn’t parent and that pregnancy would be dangerous. I did it anyways. My son is one now. I’m still doing it. And sometimes we have to get creative. Like yesterday, for example, I got stuck on the floor in pain, trying to put my son down for a nap. So we made a game of it. Nap time didn’t happen but baby was safe and so was I. You make it work. Don’t listen to able-bodied people worrying about your ability to parent. They don’t know what it’s like. Listen to your peers and work hard. You can do it.
I have two kids and chronic illness/pain/fatigue. I read something about “parenting from the couch” that resonated with me. It’s ok if you need to parent from the couch (or floor). We get creative in my house, too. I’d have my kids run their little cars on my body while I was laying on the couch, lots of laying there and chatting with them, giving them things like stickers that they can put anywhere that’s soft (carpet, clothes, couch, etc), and lots and lots of books. My kids are 6 and 8 now and voracious readers and I think that’s bc I’ve read so much to them. Hang in there, you’re doing great and your kid just wants you. ❤️
@@beccaschlomann7592 my dad has chronic pain related to joint issues and diabetes (which led to a few mini strokes) and I remember playing "alligator" with him as a kid. He would lay on the floor and we would have to run from one couch to the other without him "waking up" and catching our legs. He spent most of the time pretending to be asleep 😂
I needed to hear that. Thank you.
@@norawin I just saw your reply. That’s so cute about the alligator game. My kids would love that. 😊
“It’s a pain that I’m choosing” damn. That’s profound to me. I can put a lot of things into perspective hearing that.
It reminded me of what someone once told me: "Choose your hard." Nothing in life is 100 percent smooth sailing, but you can choose your hard. Dealing with loneliness vs making an effort to maintain great relationships, working hard to advance your career vs not doing so and later struggling with having a late retirement, etc. What helped me was the autonomy of getting to choose my hard, when both choices are equally unappealing.
My friend was diagnosed with MS at 19. And he really struggled with his illness at first. Then he found he had fewer flare ups when he exercised regularly and changed his diet. He’s now 38 and a personal trainer and hasn’t had a flare up in years. Zach, you are an inspiration to people and it’s so good to see you taking this journey towards a more pain free life, and you can see the support you have in your partner and your friends. Good on you
My grandparent and parent have MS, I have been scared shitless about it when I was way too young watching them determinate before me, and especially since being 20 and having weird issues as well, but I started working out with heavier weight regularly and....I feel more in control. Like I am still seriously at risk and having early symptoms but even in the earliest part I have started eating and moving better and being more mindful and I'm shocked at the difference. Glad for your comment bc it's extremely moving to see testimonials about MS of every stage and age and I really really hope that no matter how hard it feels and how bad your mind/head/body feels that, possibly, someone's moved by what you said here. It's hard to even get diagnosed/recognized let alone live with and "flourish" with. Like damn. But trying together, I am hoping we got this 💕
I got diagnosed with MS when I was 22, so it’s awesome hearing about someone else diagnosed young doing so great!
Is your friend's name Joey? Because I have a friend with a very similar path.
@@rnptenafly nope. James
Thanks for sharing this, getting MS young feels like such a curse but I really should start exercising more.
Hey Zac, my dad has ankylosing spondylitis and he has gone through a similar process as you. He managed to be a father to me and my sister, and he even coached the varsity soccer team at my school. I totally beleive in you that you can live with AS and live a long and successful life❤️ and my dad absolutely loves your videos and he loves hearing that others have the same struggles he has. Thank you for posting these videos and being vulnerable❤️
“When you have the pain, you don’t want to burden other people with it” ❤️ love you Zach. You take the words right out of my mouth.
As someone else who's chronically ill, I appreciate the way this was made. It was made for us by us. It is not inspiration p*rny, it is just nice. It shows how fucking hard it is
Seeing Zach break down like that and talking about how he can’t live the rest of his life in that much pain really hit home. I was also diagnosed with AS about 3 years ago now and it was so bad that I would get stuck in bed because it hurt so bad to move, or just walking took everything I had. Acknowledging the mental toll this takes is important because it’s nearly impossible to look forward to the future if you know how much pain you’ll be in. I also made the decision to change my diet and really focus on working out and strengthening my body. I’ve always been an athlete but once the AS made an appearance, all of that stopped. I can now squat and deadlift over my body weight and I haven’t had a flare up in over 6 months. So if anyone can relate, stick with it, it really does make a massive difference. Thank you for sharing Zach 🤍🤍
“No matter what I do, I am always in pain.”
As a person with severe Fibromyalgia those words are my life. The amount of medication I am on and have tried is unfathomable. I’m only 24, but the independence I want and to go out and live my life isn’t completely there. Part of my independence was given back to me by my service dog. He gave me my independence by helping me do things I can’t do myself.
For exercise, anything with impact is painful. I used to be a competitive gymnast for 10+ years before the pain. It makes me upset that just a cartwheel causes me pain. So I’ve turned to swimming. Some days I just can’t swim, but I do on the days I can.
Good on you Zach for pushing through it. Chronic pain/illness is horrid because people can’t see it, the fear of being a burden is very real. Everyone is different, even when people have the same illness, the treatment and lifestyle will never be the same. Finding something that works for you is forever a challenge that may change. But keep it up and fight through, the biggest goal in life is to live life fully and happily. Just know you never fight alone.
Hearing my physio say not to over do it felt like permission. You want to move but not to the point you make your inflammation worse or drain your nervous system.
You are not alone✊🏾 I hope that brings some semblance of comfort. By the Grace of God, you’ll figure out how to create a life that fulfills and excites you in spite of the pain. You got this✨🙌🏾
I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia at 21 and I'm now 34. The struggle is very real, though we often hear "you look so healthy or you look so good". I really appreciate this video for us who have our 24-7 struggles.
I know what you are going through, i suffered for ten years. I basically wasted my Teens and twenties with constant pain. I am pain free now though. The good news is, the science has moved on, scientists no longer believe pain is always something that starts in the body and is sensed by the brain; it can be a disease in and of itself. And there is an effective cure, especially for something like Fybro. Read the nyt article "i have to believe this book cured my pain" to get a first idea
I very much like this docu-series style of zack’s chronic illness journey. So real, so relatable. Gives so much perspective for people who don’t deal with chronic illness.
As someone with multiple chronic illnesses (different things, but one is also joint related), it's good to see that I'm not the only one with these struggles, and that it's more about progress, even if it seems small and slow. A doctor had to remind me today that my "normal" is different than what's normal for others, and that's okay, as long as I know ways to manage that work for me.
The vicious cycle of fighting pain to exercise is so hard. I have fibromyalgia, and my chronic pain started when I was a child. I was actually misdiagnosed with SA for a year before i got my official diagnosis. This video is so inspiring to me.
I know Zach will never see this but I can’t tell you how inspirational he is. I wish I could be there cheering him on, getting him water, or anything else he needed lol. Just to see his vulnerability and honesty in regards to his mental, emotional, and physical health is so amazing and frankly relatable to so many of us. Even if we don’t suffer from his condition we relate to the effects of his condition. I always loved the Try Guys but the fact that they are such real honest individuals only makes you love and appreciate what they do even more.
This. You just said exactly what I was thinking and feeling watching this video. Thank you
I'm sure there are people in your life who need that type of support. If you want to help encourage someone with chronic illness or a fitness goal, we aren't rare or hard to find.
Zach started off on a really low point, and being able to physically see and feel his happiness grow by the end, was such a beautiful thing. Thank you for sharing your journey with us, for your honesty, for the ugly parts, for the happy moments. ❤
This means so much. And hearing Zach say that he doesn’t want burden anyone with his pain, I feel that. I have chronic back and neck pain (I believe stemming from a car accident and then bad posture making it worse) and I can’t remember the last time my body didn’t hurt.
Thank you for inspiring me and I’m sure others to improve their life, bodies and minds.🖤
Cool, but the before and after at 20:40 shows him becoming chubby, not ripped. He didn't gain 20lbs of muscle. He gained 15lbs of FAT and ~5 lbs of muscle.
@@Tom-cn4cm the title is clickbaity, but he acknowledges himself that it’s definitely not all muscle and probably mostly fat. If he’s feeling better, and this video helps other people, I don’t see what the problem is.
This has nothing to do with the comment you replied to tho, so maybe, like, chill.
Wishing u all the best❤️
@@m0zarts-animation You don't see the problem with clickbait? I pity you. Clickbait is wrong, even when it's from a channel I love.
love the emphasis on working out to feel better - not to diminish other reasons for working out - but working out FEELS good for a reason, and doing it regularly will make you feel better the time you aren't
I have severe nerve damage and herniated discs + arthritis in my back from a bad car accident a few years ago and am in pain management for horrific chronic pain every single minute or every single day. It makes me feel so much better when I hear you talk about it, Zach. Chronic pain makes you feel so alone- I cannot thank you enough for sharing your story. I have a 3 year old son and feel like such a failure as a mom sometimes because I can’t hold him for a long time or get down and crawl through the playground with him. I forget others are going through similar experiences. You’ve been a great strength to me in my pain story and I am so excited you’re documenting this process. 💜💜💜
i feel like being disabled is a constant grieving process , even on our best days because for most of us we know that those days are few and far between. i'm currently more in the stage where you started: i got over really scary covid where i thought i was going to die just back in May and i think it did some permanent damage to my already weak body. i also have undiagnosed adhd which means even if i want to work on my strength anywhere i can, i have a hard time getting the motivation to or get a good schedule down. plus adhd + chronic pain causes terrible sleeping patterns and i'm currently waking up at 6pm and going to bed at 10am so i altogether feel pretty discouraged and sick all the time. now i'm overweight which adds another challenge to physical therapy and mental health. but i'm trying so hard to stay positive and do all i can to go forward. been trying to get a psych eval for over a year. i get to physical therapy almost every week but it's rough and i'm wiped out for the rest of that week and in pain. damn this turned into a trauma dump on accident. i just want everyone who doesn't have a disability to know that our progress and health is not linear and will never be fixed by a new diet or exercise or even medication. i'm so proud of zach's journey and i hope he can start to have more good than bad days but i've had way too many rude people watch videos like this to convince me that if i was "just healthy and moved more" i'd get better.
Wow you’re amazing, I’m so proud of you and I don’t even know you 💞 lots of love from another ADHD individual with chronic pain
"i'm so proud of zach's journey and i hope he can start to have more good than bad days but i've had way too many rude people watch videos like this to convince me that if i was "just healthy and moved more" i'd get better."
SO TRUE. (Fellow disabled person here)
The medications I needed caused weight gain and with my myriad of health issues my thyroid/adrenals etc are a mess. My Dr keeps saying it’s not what you are eating and you move as much as you can, so to live in incomprehensible pain to be thinner or live still in pain but functioning and overweight. Don’t judge people by their body suit, everyone has a story and you don’t know it. Be kind!
Ditto on the sleep. I haven’t sleep when it’s dark out for years. I’m lucky to get three consecutive hours a day. And that has a profound impact on your physical and mental health.
ADHD peer here! I’m proud of you for what progress you’ve made and for accepting the journey still to come. Being ADHD means a higher statistical likelihood of back pain from inner hyperactivity translating into constant muscle tension. And bad sleep quality compound’s everything. I see you! You’re doing your best and your best changes every day. Don’t give up! Once you do get that diagnosis you’re fighting for things will change for the better
I was diagnosed earlier this year with AS and luckily I don’t have fusion as of my last MRI. Your initial AS video helped me recognize my symptoms, advocate for myself and get a diagnosis. I started one shot of Humira and my rheumo and I think I had a neurological reaction with pins and needles in my legs. I have an appointment today to discuss what medication to try next. Your video gives me some hope and I appreciate you putting yourself out there for all of us going through similar experiences. I swim and have had success with a cleaner diet, but I’m still struggling. I hope you continue to feel better on this journey ❤️
As someone who lost their uni years to chronic pain, it's really relieving to see such realistic content and relatable feelings especially surrounding the pain of working out. I called workout muscle pain good pain because you earnt it and it fades unlike the fibromyalgia and RA pain I've been dealing with for 3 years. But it's so hard to get to the point of working out continuously with the pain that no one should feel guilty about taking their time on the journey.
Literally crying because i got diagnosed with AS at 16 and right now i am going through all the emotions and i totally understand when he talks about the burden on people. Thank you zach
My dad had it too, my sisters and i probably do as well. It absolutely SUCKS, but i am very glad for you, that you know about it so early! I wish you the very very best on navigating this absolute shitfest of a disease, you got this!!!
“I had to find a way to go from I can’t live like this, to I’m not going to live like this.”
Needed that little boost of encouragement. Thank you.
When he said "everything I'm doing now is so I can have a better future."
I received a new diagnosis last week and my life forever changed. Diet and exercise must be an important part of my life now and when the workout gets tough or I really crave something I say "this is for my future." And it keeps me going! This is the video I needed right now! I'm so proud of you Zach and thank you!
As someone with fybromyalgia who went from having to lie down an entire day after going to physical therapy, to being able to hike in the mountains for a day, this video honestly made me cry. Chronic pain takes such a toll, physically and emotionally and watching you going through a similar process was really nice to watch. It made me feel less alone. I hope you can continue on this path and work towards having even less pain ❤️
Have you done any diet changes?
@@rorehmani Not that much, I do try to eat mostly wholefoods and eat vegan when I can/ want to. I'm also trying to have a more steady eating schedule but that's really hard for me 🙈
3:30 I love that you're so dedicated not just for yourself, but for Maggie and future kids. That's really admirable and I hope you're able to meet and sustain your goals.
my heart broke seeing zach talk about how he was doing this to ensure he could have a family in the future. thank you for sharing this, it means a lot
You know this makes me realize from the Try Guys Documentary that when Zack took over the work for Keith and Eugene while they were doing other projects, what an absolute incredible thing that was for him to do. To be in so much pain but step up to the plate for someone else is the hallmark of an incredible person!
My name is Kate. I’ve lived with AS for twenty years, carried two children, and had two healthy boys, but my immune system tried to terminate me during both pregnancies. Regardless the trials, I pulled thru it each time. My second son was a premie in part due to my AS. Because his abrupt entrance into this world, he was carried most his life and his sweet feet didn’t regularly hit the ground till he was around 4 years old 😂 my point is you adapt. You figure it out, and sometimes endure major pain in order to carry or hold your child, you just do. Another thing I thought was interesting is my son, the one who never walked, also adapted, and would cling tighter to my frame when I was carrying him and would become fatigued. He helped solve the problem. This will happen to you too. You will find a way with the people you love to make it work. I wish you much luck, and little pain.
Hiii kate, im 21 yo rn and I also have AS can i ask tips from you to maintain body health? I accidentaly found out i have as coz of my backpain which i believe had no connection w AS, i think it just another muscle problem but i ended getting diagnosed, i dont really feel any stiffness other then when I woke up, but I really appreciate if you can share your routine to maintain your Health, thanksss
I relate so much to the "when you have the pain you don't want to burden other people with it." Chronic pain is so isolating. Way to go on putting in the work to live a more functional, less pain life!
I hope you are doing well dear.......from another pain hermit 😬😆
As someone who also has Ankylosing Spondylitis, it is so scary to make changes to fit your new life with this disability/disease. We're all different when it comes to how our body can be treated- I'm so proud of you for being vulnerable and showing this side of you, Zach!
So proud of Zach for finding a routine that works for him, but wanted to add a reminder that there is a huge spectrum of disability and chronic illness and some people can experience ill effects from exercise, some people just do not have the energy or stamina, etc. the list goes on.
And i know I can’t afford the team or tools he has, at least atm
Exactly, and even though a victory for one of us is a victory for us all, it does still hurt that a lot of us have no scope of progress, but even if some of us do most disabled people don’t have the money and resources needed for that change. I need a caregiver but can’t afford one. But still I’m happy that some of us have the ability to improve. Congrats Zack, it took tons of hard work! Super proud of you, and exercise is awesome. When you are physically disabled you realize what an amazing privilege stength, stamina, and movement can be. 🥰
Managing your body as a full-time job, I felt that so much to the point of not being able to hold a kid. It's why I'm child free for a long time. Thank you for being inspiring and open.
As someone who suffers with Fibromyalgia I haven't found anything yet to relieve my pain. I'm excited to see if anything changed for Zach 🥰
I suffer from that too. I feel with you friend. 🧡
Umm… wtf… Mr. Beast would NOT want you saying racist things using his name.
What really helped with my fibromyalgia was massage and obviously changing my diet. I know massage seems counter productive since you don't want to be touched, but I saw a physical therapist who just did massage on me and it felt great. Oh, and once was feeling better I did light yoga. As for the diet, i did the Whole30 diet. It's hard to keep up in today's world, but OMG I felt AMAZING! I had so much energy and actually slept 8 hours a night waking up feeling amazing. I almost felt normal. I'm on a modified diet now, not as good, but easier to keep up. I don't know if you've tried any of this, but maybe it could help.
@@tiffanyw3425 Like mentioned I've tried many things, I've tried changing my diet many times and nothing. The massage actually does help but it's expensive & I can't do it all the time. My insurance covers some but not all but I'll figure out.. I'm still trying 🙂
@@AskaxXxTissaxXx 🧡
My grandma has this disease and this is the first time that I hear someone talking about it online. Wow. This made me very emotional. She got miss-diagnosed all her life and used to scream in pain until she went on a medical trial and she can now walk to work. My grandad would take me to buy bread, even though we already had some bread at home, so I don't see how much she was hurting. Thank you for putting light to this disease. My grandma had a kid and 2 beautiful grandkids. You definitely can be a dad. You CAN!
Part of being an incredible parent is loving your future child so much you don’t want to bring them into the world and risk them living in this much pain.
Zach, don’t let the crazy of recent weeks knock you off your wellness path. Keep going.
I'm so proud of you for posting this. There is so much "fitness knowledge" that doesn't detail how difficult it is to start somewhere. Anywhere! I'm so proud of you for trying. You have shown everyone your journey past how difficult this journey is to start for everyone individually. You're doing a great job trying so hard. It's really difficult and you deserve acknowledgement. Thank you Zack!
So proud of Zach’s progress-it’s great that he’s taken the initiative to change his diet and add exercise to help with the pain. My roommate has had chronic pain for years (sciatica) and she just keeps moving every day, even if it is bad. None of the medical treatments she had tried worked so she exercises and got certified to teach yoga in 2020. The pain definitely isn’t all in your head, but keeping busy and preoccupied does help a bit-even if the pain doesn’t completely go away.
NOT ME CRYING LIKE A PROUD BESTFRIEND OF ZACH!!! EVEN IF YOU DONT KNOW US PERSONALLY, WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!! 🥰
The fact that it's this difficult with a support structure and full access to medical care really shows how hard it is for someone, even in near ideal circumstances, to deal with their disability (and I think he's said he deals with depression too). It's hard to stay on a regimen when things happen in life, it's hard to completely change your diet, it's hard to be able to take the time out to exercise or prepare meals on busy days, it's hard to get motivated when you're just in so much pain you feel like you can't get out of bed. I absolutely love this video and I appreciate you being so vulnerable about your feelings during the process. As another person with chronic pain and disability, this makes me feel so seen and I appreciate you and this video so much.
As someone with chronic pain, watching this was very emotionally relatable. I gained so much more respect for him, continuing to do crazy things with the try guys while suffering from chronic pain.
For people with autoimmune disease like us, you are doing so much for our community! I sobbed hearing you talk about what felt so close to my own experiences. Thank you Zack!
I love how you said "it is a pain that I choose" about exercise. My mother has chronic pain, and in her journey to get healthier and feel better exercise has also been important. The pain may never go away but you need to keep your spirt up a keep moving forward.
As a fellow autoimmune spoonie I can definitely attest to it not being about a major physical change, working out really is about feeling even incrementally better as a whole, getting sleep, growing muscles to support aching joints, and having more energy to live your life the way you wanna life it. Thank you Zach for your content you’re inspiring me to go back to the gym after a half a year stint of doing almost nothing for my body and major flare ups.
Zach might be the only "celebrity" that I can _really_ relate to. I see so much of myself in him, and he inspires me so much to be more comfortable with myself.
It always breaks my heart to see him in pain, and I sm do incredibly proud of him for doing this! I hope it can inspire me to get back to eating healthy and exercising again, after suffering a chronic, severe depression. I am slowly starting to move my body every day, even if it's just a little.
I don’t have this same auto immune disease but I do have one. & I forgot how much working out & eating more calories could make me feel better. I needed this motivation. Thanks Zach
I have chronic issues as well and I'm about to start this. It's time. I've been too sick and too miserable for too long. I need to eat more and exercise like I did before I got incredibly sick.
@@lehon481 you can do it 💕💕💕💕💕👹👹👹👹
This is so important to the disability community. Showing the moments when it legit sucks, when it doesn’t feel like you’re making progress, when you feel like giving up. Showing how hard it is. And acknowledging that chronic illness isn’t just going to magically go away, but that we absolutely have to take care of ourselves in any way we can
As someone who's taking another crack at weight loss in the coming year (550 right now, its a problem) ..this was inspiring
Best of luck, sending prayers, just try harder every day and results will come ❤️
You can do it! One day at a time 💕
Also check out Conqueror Challenges. A lot of good support in that community to get moving.
One of my favorite channels is LukeNarwhal, he does Reddit reading videos of weight loss subreddits and I’ve learned so much useful info from that channel. You can do this! Your body will feel so much better and the gains you get from losing that much weight literally makes you feel like a superhero because you never realize how strong your muscles are from carrying hundreds of extra pounds with you everywhere. I really hope you do well and have many more healthy and happy years to come!
Good luck! Btw, have you tried getting a coach to help you?
Not me violently crying through another Zach chronic pain episode. Nobody talks about how much it really sucks, how exhausting it is to be in pain all day every day. So thank you so much Zach for sharing your journey, and giving people a chance to understand what life is like for us. ❤️
Same! I’m trying not to sob bc this is my life. I’m trying to get to the point where I have the energy to change my diet and exercise but my fatigue is so bad. But this video gave me up. I want to live a better life
I’m chronically ill with Crohn’s disease but I have the gene that means I am at risk of one day developing ankolysing spondylitis and Zach is the only reason I feel slightly better about the fact it could happen to me. I already get so much comfort from him since he commits so much to himself and his health that it makes me believe I can do it too💛
I was diagnosed with AS in 2020, and the videos Zach has made about it have really helped me. When I look up videos and websites about it everything is always so bleak, depressing, and overwhelming. Zach does a really amazing job of acknowledging that it is terrible, but still actively trying to improve his situation. It helps me also try to make progress, and to not get too depressed and give up.
Zach didn't start out as my favorite, but he has grown on me through the years and now I adore him. What a good hearted person. It's been awesome to watch him grow!
hi, i feel like my story will be a lil different from the ones you'd normally hear, but i feel like sharing:)
as a person with an eating disorder, this video just made my heart so happy. i know it's different situations completely, but it's another example from someone i love showing that body fat is positive. it's healthy. it's there to protect your body.
it really hit home when he was so proud of his lil belly, it made me incredibly happy.
thank you, try guys.
I just want to throw in there, from another perspective of a person with disabilities; everyone is so different and the presentation and challenges of disability is unique to everyone and there is an ongoing balance to be had between trying - sometimes desperately - to get back to a place you thought was 'normal' to the point that it takes over your whole life and doesn't actually help you accomplish your goals day-to-day or long-term. For some of us, there is a balance and a freedom in embracing mobility support and in-home aids if you can find/afford them. Make sure to always keep the big picture in mind and give yourself the freedom to adjust your routine and your goals and explore each option out there to help you accomplish what you want. For some of us, adjusting diet, working out, hiring personal fitness professionals, hiring massage therapists - it's just impossible. And sometimes no matter what you do, you will never get back a body you had, that body is gone and you're in a new one now, and you need to be problem solving for that body instead. This isn't really a reference to Zach specifically, but I do think it's very important to let people know 'getting back to ''normal'' does NOT always have to be the ultimate goal, and sometimes it's an impossible one and can be harmful if that's the only narrative you're being fed and your only way of defining 'success'. This disability content is very important and very helpful, but I would also really love to see a bigger range of stories and narratives out there or perhaps just a bit of broader context tacked on. Mostly, I just want people to be very mindful and very careful about framing the idea of 'having to use a wheelchair' or 'having to use a mobility device' or whatever as an abject failure and 'getting back to ''normal'' or 'getting back to a ''working'' body' as the ultimate goal and only option for success. Sometimes there is a vibe of that and it's worth being mindful about it.
Thank you for this ✨
THIS!!!
I have a disability sort of similar to zach and this ep got to me. He really hits on how isolating and depressing pain disorders can be. Honestly this has inspired to try to take my pt routine a little more seriously
I've suffered with severe chronic anorexia nervosa for 20+ years. Two summers ago my weight had been holding steady at 63 pounds (BMI of 11) for several years, and I feel like I share a lot of the same emotions you shared in this video about quality of life. I found a personal trainer and was able to gain 20 pounds through weight training and eating more. The goal of getting fit and strong was enough to get me to overcome (some of) of the psychological blocks and get the food in. About a month ago, I had lost a bit of weight and so now my goal is to reach 90 pounds by Christmas (four months). I hear you about all the hardships you faced through this process. There just aren't enough calories in a day!
Bless you and best of luck on you continued health journey!
As someone with chronic pain/invisible illness, this video is so relatable and inspiring. I go through phases of putting a lot of effort into my health and then letting myself go again when it gets too hard. It’s a vicious cycle, but I’m never going to stop trying.
It is so overwhelming because in modern life, in capitalism that is so fast paced, there's so much to get done anyway, that having to add so many steps to your day to maintain your health can seem and feel daunting