"Who I was was taken away" — My 600-lb Life star Jonathan recalls when he had to stop working as an EMT first responder

My 600-lb Life Season 13 debuted on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. The premiere, titled Jonathan's Journey, documented Jonathan's life story and everyday challenges living as an individual weighing over 600 pounds. Once an EMT first responder, the Illinois resident found himself trapped inside his room after having to give up his dream job due to his weight.

It not only affected him emotionally but also scarred his self-confidence. After his weight made him unsuitable for jobs that required mobility, Jonathan worked as a cashier. However, it failed to provide him with the sense of satisfaction his previous job did. He claimed that he felt detached from his identity and purpose in life.

"When I knew I couldn't do it anymore, was... It was terrible. Like who I was was taken away," Jonathan said.

The My 600-lb Life cast member detailed his difficult childhood earlier in the episode, shedding light on growing up with food scarcity while dealing with the consequences of his father's alcoholism and elder brother's decision to sever ties with the family. Jonathan explained that it motivated him to want to help people. Consequently, he chose to become an EMT.

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"I didn't feel happy in those jobs" — My 600-lb Life star Jonathan on exploring other career options after working as an EMT

Jonathan unloaded freight as his part-time job in college. It helped him earn some extra cash, which the My 600-lb Life star used to buy whatever he wanted to eat. Although he had a "great time" exploring food he could not while growing up, Jonathan overlooked its negative impacts on his body. Consequently, his weight kept increasing.

Soon after college, Jonathan landed his first job as an EMT. During a My 600-lb Life confessional, he stated that he was overjoyed to be working in an ambulance. However, the profession had its own challenges. Jonathan confessed that the "stress was just crazy" and to cope with it he depended on fast food.

Jonathan met his wife, Tzena, while working as an EMT. He admitted that marriage and family life helped him tackle the stress of his job. However, it still was not enough for him to deviate from his debilitating eating habits.

After his co-workers started pressuring him to lose weight, Jonathan took control of his life and went to the gym. However, he gave up after six months of training when his father unexpectedly passed away. Soon, his mother passed away, throwing Jonathan into a tailspin. He eventually returned to food to process the trauma.

"I finally gave up EMS after realizing that my body just couldn't handle it," he said.

Jonathan explained that his weight prevented him from performing the duties of an EMT, including carrying people and climbing in and out of an ambulance. It was at that point that he realized he could no longer continue working as a first responder. The My 600-lb Life cast member confessed that he struggled to breathe and needed oxygen more than his patients.

Jonathan's doctor instructed him to find another job that made him feel like he was helping people. Consequently, he landed a gig as a cashier at a local gas station. Although he worked his way up to store manager, the job failed to satisfy him.

"I got to help people but not the way I wanted to help 'em. I just didn't feel... I just didn't feel happy in those jobs," he added.

While Jonathan's weight increased, he changed jobs and started working for a call center from home. It was then that his weight spiraled out of control, preventing him from working at all.

Toward the end of the My 600-lb Life episode, having lost over 200 pounds, Jonathan told Dr. Now that he wished to find a job and help his wife financially.

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My 600-lb Life airs every Wednesday at 8 pm ET exclusively on TLC.