Dearborn Heights Man Racks Up $417,650 Win in MrBeast Weight-Loss Challenge
Jimmy Donaldson — also known as MrBeast, the most popular YouTuber with more than 400 million subscribers — is known for challenging contestants to out-of-the-ordinary tasks to win thousands of dollars in prize money.
One of his latest winners? A metro Detroit man.
Majd Khader, of Dearborn Heights, is the latest MrBeast contestant to take home a wad of cash — more than $400,000. To do it, he had to lose 100 pounds in one year while living in a gym in North Carolina.
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Khader was not allowed to leave the circle around the gym, where he learned to make nutritious food, until his weight dropped from 324 to 224 pounds.
Though he had a full year, Khader completed the challenge in 178 days.
"I honestly thought that it would have taken me almost the full year to complete the challenge, but to do it in under 6 months was incredible," Khader said in a message to the Free Press.
He said the food is what he missed most about Dearborn Heights while he couldn't leave the out-of-state gym.
"I definitely enjoyed having the meals I made while being in the challenge, but nothing hits harder than well-seasoned food," Khader said.
He completed up to 18,000 steps a day, lifted five days a week and ate 2,500 calories a day with the help of his fitness coach, Tyler Wall.
The journey didn't come without heartbreak, however. On Day 85, Khader learned that Wall had passed away unexpectedly, causing Khader to break down. He decided to continue the challenge in Wall's memory, and Wall's family agreed to let the video be shared to MrBeast's audience, in his memory.
"There wasn’t a bone in my body that was going to allow me to give up or rebound or stop the challenge short," Khader said. "I finished so that people could see the impact that Coach Wall had on me (and) the impact that he would have on the millions of people watching that may also be going through the same thing. It wasn’t about me anymore. I was determined to finish it all for Coach."
Khader said he is forever grateful for what Wall taught him, including the four pillars: hydration, nutrition, physical activity and most importantly, sleep.
"Sleep is such a crucial part to attempting to lose weight and better your life, he said. "Remember if you want to lose weight just to lose it, you’ll most likely gain it back. This is a lifestyle change for the better and it is a lifetime commitment that you want."
Khader was initially offered $250,000 to complete the challenge. He ended winning $417,650 through additional challenges, such as gaining $1,000 for each pushup he could do in a row.
At the end, Khader was surprised with a visit from former talk show host David Letterman, then his family, who got to witness him walk out of the circle for the first time since beginning the challenge.
Khader said he didn't know where to begin his weight loss journey and encouraged people who feel that way to take the first steps anyways.
"For people who are just starting out, don’t get overwhelmed," he said. "I didn’t know where to begin. I believe to take those first baby steps is crucial, and following the four pillars."
The YouTube video featuring Khader at youtube.com had more than 145 million views in the first eight days.
“It was incredible seeing myself in third person. I know it’s me and I went through the journey, but actually being invested in myself was crazy,” Khader said. “I know it’s me, and I lived it but it’s different.”
Khader encouraged supporters to donate to Wall's family through GoFundMe . Proceeds are going toward education savings plans for his niece and nephew.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dearborn Heights man wins $417,650 on MrBeast weight-loss challenge
