This Woman Went From Weighing 410 lbs to Achieving Her Dreams
Rosie Mercado used to weigh 410 lbs. One day, she was told to pay for a second airplane seat because of her weight. That moment, she realized that things needed to change. So she embarked on her transformation journey.
Rosie Mercado wasn’t always a successful plus-size model and TV personality. In fact, it took almost everything she had to get there.
She knew it was time to get serious about her health in 2014 when an airplane staff member told her she had to purchase a second seat to fit on the plane. Mercado felt humiliated by the encounter, but it turned out to be the wake-up call she needed to lose weight.
I think it was a way of God telling me: ‘You need to take control of your life.
Mercado to People
At the time, the single mother of three weighed 410 pounds.
What she wants you to know about her journey
Over the course of a year and a half, Mercado was able to lose over 100 pounds by making changes to her diet and exercising, but it wasn’t long before she gained some of it back.
Desperate not to go back to her previous size, she made the “tough decision” to get gastric sleeve surgery.
It's not an easy walk. Surgery is just a tool. It's not guaranteed success. Success comes from the discipline — it forces you to wake up and pay attention to what you're eating. It's a lifestyle.
Rosie Mercado to People
Rosie's goal was never to be thin. Instead, she was focused on being healthy. Following her 240 pound weight loss, she made up her mind to go under the knife again to remove excess skin and reconstruct her abdomen.
“That has been by far the most painful journey of my entire life,” she said. “It was burning, aching, tubes coming everywhere.”
Despite it being a painful and drawn out process, Mercado has no regrets.
I would do it all over again because I am able to wear clothes that I was never able to wear, I can run and I don’t feel the pulling of my skin, I’m not dealing with the skin rashes.
Rosie Mercado
She never gave up on pursuing her real dream
Mercado always dreamt of pursuing a modeling career and while most people thought she was crazy and disapproved, she never stopped trying.
When you have a dream, you have to be willing to make sacrifices.
Rosie Mercado
She received a lot of criticism for posing in front of cameras, but she persevered anyway. Today, at the age of 40, she’s a thriving plus-size model, a TV host and a motivational speaker.
She’s also more recently realized another dream: Mercado married her first love, Gilberto Flores. The two fell in love when they were teenagers, and went their separate ways until they were reunited by Flores’ sister, over 20 years later.
“We're so blessed that after parting ways 22 years ago, that destiny brought us together again,” Mercado said.
Feeling more confident and energetic than ever, she is making her debut as an author this coming Fall. In The Girl with the Self Esteem Issues, Mercado writes about her weight loss journey and surviving physical abuse.
I can talk about who I am, about what it was like to be a single mom, my failures, the lessons that each failure brought to my life. I tell my story and I hope I can help people with that.
Rosie Mercado
She proves that there is no expiry date to your dreams
Rosie's story is remarkable proof that dreams do not have expiry dates, no matter what your starting point is. Not only did she choose a career where it's already difficult for plus-size women to be recognized, she did it after getting to a healthy weight. It's proof that willpower is the strongest of all.
More inspiring stories:
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.