Weighty Matters

Local fitness guru Chris Powell deems himself a transformation specialist, 
but to the 34 percent of obese adults in America, he is nothing short of a hero.

By Virginia Chavez  • Photography by Nicolle Clemetson

With an awe-inspiring zest for life and a passion for helping others, Chris Powell lives by the motto that “everyone has the right to live a happy and healthy life.” Putting words into action, Powell has dedicated his life to helping the morbidly obese, saving lives and creating hope.

Who would have thought that Cosmopolitan’s 2002 “Most Eligible Arizona Bachelor” would be interested in making a living solely driven by the success and wellbeing of others? Friends, family and Powell himself, for starters. Powell's devotion to physical fitness began at an early age, studying the human body and how it responds to diet and fitness.

The body can be manipulated however you choose,” says Powell. “It is such an amazing feeling to teach others the wonders of their own body, and how to finally take control.”

Looking to pursue his passion, Powell became an Arizona State Sun Devil and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology (exercise science), with a concentration in physiology and biomechanics. He later gained accreditation through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and began a career as a personal trainer.

The happily engaged Powell takes his “most eligible bachelor” status light-heartedly, but what started as a fun experience soon marked the beginning of a life-changing friendship, when local television station, AZTV Channel 3, reached out to the newly appointed bachelor with an opportunity for a television debut.

“Channel 3 contacted me and wanted to have me come on the show as the ‘Cosmo guy,’” says Powell bashfully. “I decided to approach the producers with a fitness segment idea … and I started a regular segment on the show.”

Powell earned a spot as the station’s fitness guru, educating local viewers on best practices for fitness regimens and nutrition. The segment—and its host—quickly gained a steady fan base, and viewers were able to write in questions or e-mail Powell for fitness tips and suggestions.  

Little did Powell know that, through the show, he would receive a letter that would ultimately change his life. A local viewer contacted Powell in hopes of receiving health and fitness tips from the expert. Although the request was not out of the ordinary, this viewer was unlike the rest. The letter was a final call for help from a near-suicidal 650-pound David Smith, in a last ditch effort to save himself.

At first, neither Smith nor Powell had intentions of meeting each other. “He didn’t know I was going to physically show up at his house, but I had to meet him; the letter was just so heartbreaking,” explains Powell, overcome with emotion. “I thought about it for several days before meeting him and I just couldn’t ignore the fact that a 650-pound man was asking for my help, especially when I knew that I could help him.”

While Powell knew he had all the knowledge and experience necessary to help Smith, he admits to having reservations about making the commitment. “Weight loss itself can be very textbook: watching calories, exercising, eating right,” says Powell. “Ultimately, people are looking for a physical transformation, but in order to get there, you have to reach an emotional and psychological transformation first.”

Powell’s methods begin by simply getting to know the client and gauging their level of emotional and psychological readiness. “There have been times where I’ve had to turn down clients who have reached out to me for help because they were simply not ready,” says Powell. “You need to be ready to take responsibility for your actions and be open to the changes. If you can’t do that, there is no foundation for growth.”

Just minutes upon their initial meeting, Powell knew both he and Smith were ready to commit. As Powell’s first morbidly obese client, Smith, Powell knew, would require a different approach. “The biggest thing was not to make a drastic change,” says Powell. “I would allow David to reward himself every other day, training the mind psychologically with high and low days.”

Focused on creating a lifestyle change for Smith, which involved portion management, controlling his metabolism and learning about nutritional values, Powell implemented his STAX System. The STAX System works by allowing you to portion four daily meals that are stored in a climate controlled cooler. Each day, your proteins, fats and carbohydrates are strategically measured out based on your weight, and stored in color-coded storage containers so you have the right food available when you need it. All meals are set to a timer as a reminder to eat every three hours and boost metabolism.

Like clockwork, Powell showed up to Smith’s home every other day, taking baby steps in all aspects of the transformation. “We didn’t have a whole lot of communication the first couple of months,” says Powell. “As things started to change and we had a couple of huge breakthroughs, then he opened up and the transformation began.”

A transformation for both Smith and Powell—in just over two years, Smith dropped an astounding 400 pounds while Powell grew beyond his initial level of expertise. Within a very emotional 26 months filled with ups, downs, hardships and accomplishments, the two formed a bond as roommates and, today, best friends.

Powell and a healthier and slimmer Smith shared their two-year journey on the TLC documentary The 650 Pound Virgin. Of the nine million Americans living with extreme obesity, Smith is now one less, and, together, Smith and Powell continue to inspire hundreds through their story. However, although Powell can provide the right tools necessary to help those in need, he insists the most important element of weight loss is found within. “When people reach out to me, they put their trust in me because they think I can give them what they need to be happy,” he says. “They don’t realize that the happiness is within.”

Since saving Smith’s life, Powell’s efforts are solely focused on helping the extremely obese. “I’m working with some really wonderful people right now,” says Powell. “The transformations are amazing.”

From experience, Powell knows that each transformation takes its own course. Tackling the approach is far more complicated than looking at simple statistics, like the fact that men lose weight faster than women. Powell looks at transforming each client from the inside out. It begins by overcoming power struggles emotionally, and pinpointing the triggers that got each person to where they are today. And when all is said and done, Powell always finds another transformation has taken place—his own. “My learning curve grows exponentially each time,” he says. “There is always a curve ball that gets thrown at me, but it’s my job to find the solution.”

Powell finds his true calling in helping the morbidly obese, but focuses on the universal foundation that there are basic mental and emotional triggers in each and every person looking to begin a transformation. For some, it may be getting over the “diet starts tomorrow” cycle or empty promises to “start working out on Monday.” For others, it may take reaching the proverbial “rock bottom” to commit to change.

Powell notes that no two people are the same, however, his experience has proven that accountability and following through with promises made to yourself and others begins a pattern of self-awareness and appreciation across the board. “When the commitment is made and the task is completed, something happens within,” he says. “Your integrity goes up and you start to believe in yourself and build self-esteem. It’s very powerful.”

How do you know if you are finally ready to commit to change and start, once and for all, fulfilling promises made to yourself? The answer is never black and white; it’s about looking at your life as a whole and assessing the situation. For those who are wavering with the decision to make the change, Powell suggests making a list of priorities. “If health and happiness are at the top of the list, and reaching that goal is tied to weight loss, then that is the time to ask yourself how committed you are to reaching that goal,” advises Powell.

Once you’ve committed to the transformation, make it official. “Create action in your life that is a daily reminder of the decision you’ve made to change your life,” he says.

Some necessary steps include changing your environment to eliminate triggers, such as cleaning out the refrigerator and pantry, eliminating poor food options and keeping them out of mind and out of sight. Powell also recommends changing your furniture arrangement and cleaning your household. “Make the change visible to constantly remind yourself of the steps you are taking.”

The great success of the TLC documentary has afforded Powell the opportunity to continue inspiring change through another upcoming television show. Scheduled to debut next year on ABC, the as of yet untitled project will be produced by the makers of The Biggest Loser. Powell was careful not to divulge information about the show, but what he does guarantee is real life transformations.

Want to be a contestant? There’s only one catch: you must suffer from extreme obesity. Out of the thousands of entry forms received from prospective cast members, Powell (along with network producers) narrowed it down to a very deserving and very in-need-of-help cast of contestants. “It’s very emotional,” says Powell. “I think I cry more than anyone.”

Filmed documentary-style, the show will capture the most important year of each contestant’s life. “No ranch, no competitions, no prizes. It’s real life transformations at home,” explains Powell. “I can’t wait to share it with the nation; I hope it inspires others and the people around them.”

Powell admits that taking on such a challenge has its difficult moments, but the reward greatly overcomes the struggle. For Powell, the reward is not monetary or material. In fact, it’s not even tangible. After the emotional roller coaster that accompanies each transformation, Powell is rewarded with deep friendships, profound knowledge and the ability to inspire others.

“When they thank me for what I’ve done to help them, that’s when I lose it,” says Powell. “It’s really cool knowing you’ve made a difference in someone’s life, especially when they turn around and inspire a transformation in the people around them. That’s when I know I’ve really made a difference.”

Read more about men's health in this month's issue of Generation Health AZ, available now.