Shannon Lowery’s Journey From 739 Pounds to the Why: Life After My 600-Lb Life
Shannon Lowery, who appeared in season 9 of My 600-lb Life, won over fans with her emotional journey to get healthy again. By the time she was 39 years old, she was bedridden and relying on her husband.
Amid setbacks, surgeries, and strength, Shannon turned her story from isolation to inspiration. This article explores who and where she is now, how she has changed since the beginning of the end, and why her story still resonates with so many. We’ll also learn about your personal life, fitness progress, and online presence.
The Early Years: Finding Comfort In Food After The Death Of Family
Shannon fought with her weight as a child. When she was 5, her parents divorced. Then she bounced from one guardian to another. Without any help, Shannon turned to food for solace. It was how she coped with pain and loneliness. By the time she graduated from high school at 17, she was 450 pounds.
Even though she managed to find a job and live independently for a while, it was for the worse; she lost her job and had to move back in with her family. She says the place became abusive. It was all too much, and the trauma almost killed her, but she survived and refused to lose her desire for a new life.
In Front Of The Cameras: Shannon’s My 600lb Life Story
Shannon was featured on My 600-lb Life season 9 with a weight of 739 pounds. She was hardly able to move beyond a few steps. Dr. Nowzaradan, the bariatric surgeon on the show, set her up to drop 150 pounds in two months. But her body had had enough on her first trip to Houston.
She had been hospitalized for intense pain and the threat of blood clots. It was the start of her long path to weight-loss surgery. Dr. Now asked her to move to Houston indefinitely and follow up with care there. However, in a relatively short time, her appointments and progress were put on hold by the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID Setbacks And A Lengthy Path To Surgery
The pandemic also made it tough for Shannon to get to her follow-up appointments. At one point, she was too weak to stand on the clinic’s scale. Dr. Now issued her a harsh ultimatum: Lose even more weight, or lose her spot in the program.
That was the slap she needed. Shannon returned to the gym and began physical therapy. After 13 months on the road, she had shed 41 pounds, down to 698. Dr. Now’s next step: to get under 500 pounds to qualify for surgery. Shannon and her husband Simon planned to relocate to Houston to derail.
Exercising From A Wheelchair: A Peek At Her Workout Routine
Shannon wasn’t about to let her mobility challenges become a barrier. She started working out from her motorized wheelchair. Her YouTube-shared workouts ranged from kettlebell lifts and stretchy bands to arm pulls.
A coach often counted reps as she fought through the pain. She worked on upper body strength to build muscle for post-surgery life. Caught on video in April 2024, it was a proud moment when she crossed the gym floor with a walker, such an emotional milestone that showed just how far she had come.
A Better Diet And Progress Show Up
Shannon also adjusted her eating habits. On social media, she posted pictures of smaller, healthier meals. One lunch consisted of crab meat and vegetables. Her dinner plate included steamed, roasted sweet potato and butternut squash ravioli, which were regular, not giant, portions.
These tiny, but crucial tweaks made her appear noticeably slimmer in the 2024 snaps. She hasn’t had the gastric bypass yet, but both her diet and her workouts are heading toward the procedure right on time.
Social Media And YouTube Helped Her Feel Connected And Heal
It took on a new purpose after the show (Shannon started his YouTube channel in 2016). She began to document her transformation. The channel attracted over 1,400 subscribers, and her gym videos were lauded for demonstrating real progress.
She posted about her life on Facebook. In 2023, she started learning Spanish from Duolingo and celebrated online when she reached her milestones. She uses these outlets to inspire and connect with her fans.
Shannon and Simon: A Love and Gaming Connection Built To Last
Shannon found Simon online in video games when she was 29. They rapidly grew close and were married. He has stood by her as a husband and a caregiver. During her time on My 600-lb Life, Simon was filmed cooking her meals and assisting with her care.
Though she was worried that losing weight would transform their partnership, the couple is still going strong. As of May 2024, 13 years were celebrated by birthday, and people were wished happy birthdays on Facebook.
Family Love and Devastating Loss
In addition to her husband, Shannon also relies on her father, Dale, and her nephew for comfort. Her father was a wellspring of encouragement during difficult times, and her nephew is a bright spot in her life. Unfortunately, her mother, Grace Marie Fabrico, died in December 2022.
She paid tribute to her in a touching post in 2023. She wrote about how she missed her every day and kept her memory close. Despite this tragic loss, Shannon has remained dedicated to her path to healing.
New-Found Confidence And Life With Her Cat Mooie
Today, Shannon is bursting with confidence. In May 2025, she posted a selfie with a new haircut. She has a lot of fun playing with her hair and sharing her progress with fans. Her cat, Shadow Monster, whose real name is Mooie, is another source of light in her life. Shannon regularly shares pictures of Mooie and meals that are part of her more balanced and happier new life.
FAQs
Is Shannon Lowery still married?
Yes. As of May 2024, she’s married to Simon. They recently celebrated 13 years together.
Did Shannon have weight loss surgery?
No. She isn’t telling that she has undergone the gastric bypass yet, but she is still working to be able to do this kind of operation.
Where has Shannon gotten the weight from?
She shed about 80 pounds over 13 months and remained committed to reaching her goal of weighing less than 500 pounds.
Where does Shannon live now?
Shannon and Simon hoped to move to Houston near Dr. Now, but she had lived in Tucson, Arizona.
How can I watch and follow Shannon’s journey?
You can see her on Facebook and YouTube, where she posts videos, progress reports, and slices of daily life.
Final Words
Shannon Lowery’s transformation from 739 pounds to hope is nothing less than inspiring. Despite pain, setbacks, and personal loss, she never did. Her My 600-lb Life episode was just the start. Shannon is fighting for her life, supported by family and friends, a health plan, and an online community. She reminds us it’s never too late to change your story — one step, one meal, and one victory at a time.
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