Document Actions
Michael Hebranko Gets A Lift!
(New York - April 17, 2007) Michael Hebranko, once considered the heaviest man in the world, received the Lifting Up the World with a Oneness-Heart award from harmony leader Sri Chinmoy for his indomitable determination to lose weight, his service to humanity, and for his will and message to ‘Never Give Up’.
Sri Chinmoy Lifts Michael Hebranko
Michael Hebranko, 53 years old and now weighing 458 lbs. (207.7 kg) was lifted overhead by Sri Chinmoy. The lift was a total of 489 lbs. (221.8 kg) including the apparatus.
Sri Chinmoy continued on with several more lifts honoring Michael and his wife Madelaine by lifting them individually and together on a modified seated calf raise machine. The husband and wife together with the apparatus weighed in at a total 739 lbs. (335.2 kg) – a record lift for Sri Chinmoy.
Michael has weighed 1000 (453.6 kg) pounds three different times in his life. Despite at times feeling desperately hopeless and helpless he has continued to fight his disease of morbid obesity. With great courage he has counseled and encouraged many others like himself along the way, giving hope and creating greater public awareness of the obesity epidemic.
In the late 1980s, with the help of Richard Simmons, Michael miraculously dropped from 1000 pounds to 200 (90.72 kg) pounds — in only 19 months. He became a motivational speaker to the super obese.
"I'm in the Guinness Book of Records in 1990 as the world's greatest dieter. I lost the most weight in the shortest time," he said. He had lost over 700 (317.5 kg) pounds in just 19 months. His success was short-lived, though - seven years later Michael was back up to 1000 pounds. He was fork lifted out of his home and rushed to the hospital. "That was pretty much the worst part of my life," he said.
Although many times Michael saw no light at the end of the tunnel, he sensed that the light was there. A new chapter of hope and happiness is being written. With the help of Dr. Albu of St. Luke Roosevelt Hospital, and the Brookhaven Rehabilitation Center, Michael has regained control of his food addiction and is slowly and steadily losing weight all the while counseling and inspiring others who are suffering and at the same time trying to educate the public to the dangers of this epidemic.
Today, Michael Hebranko and Sri Chinmoy celebrate together the inspiring message: “Never Give Up Hope”.
The Lifting Up the World with a Oneness-Heart Award has been received by some of the world’s most inspirational figures such as Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul II, and Muhammad Ali and many others from all walks of life including doctors, teachers, and humanitarians for inspiring positive change in the world. With this award, Sri Chinmoy seeks to honor the unlimited potential of the human spirit which resides in all of us.
Sri Chinmoy lifts Michael Hebranko on a calf raise machine
Sri Chinmoy lifts Michael Hebranko and his wife Madelaine
