Monica Riley once pursued a shocking goal: she wanted to become the world’s heaviest woman. “Her goal was to reach extreme weight by consuming massive amounts of high-calorie food,” and with the support of her partner Sid, she fully embraced it.

Instead of dieting, Monica leaned into her size. Her days revolved around eating and gaining weight, seeing it as more than food—“it was about proving something to herself and to others.”

But the effects grew severe. Walking became difficult, then impossible, leaving her bedridden and completely dependent on Sid for care. Her story drew worldwide concern as strangers begged her to stop.

At nearly 400 kilograms, Monica realized immobility wasn’t the life she wanted. “Being unable to move freely or care for herself was no longer fulfilling—it was suffocating.”

That turning point led her to choose health and family over records. Today, Monica is a mother of two, finding joy in raising her children and living a more balanced, sustainable life.