Michael Watson is a 17 year-old young man from Ohio who has become a viral sensation after he was honored for his incredible weight loss transformation by his high school on Facebook.

Michael spent years struggling with his weight, and things got so bad that he could not walk long distances without getting short of breath.

“It was just a disaster,” Michael said. “My self-confidence was zero.”

When Michael was a freshman in high school, he watched his brother Richard lose fifty pounds, and this motivated him to get healthy as well. Taking his life into his own hands, Michael started eating healthier and making better decisions about the foods he consumed. He also started walking to school every day, rain or shine, and he continued to do this all through high school.

Since then, Michael has lost an astonishing 115 pounds, and he looks far different today than he did when he started. Michael has completely gotten his life together, setting himself up for a lifetime of success as he prepares to graduate from high school!

Now, Michael’s school is using his story to inspire others to get healthy as well.

“It’s an example of courageous personal development that’s rare for a high school student,” said school official Terrance Jones. “Mike’s decision to take the initiative to live a healthier lifestyle and to stay consistent with it will always stay with me.”

Michael is hoping that his story will inspire others as well.

“Anybody can do it if they put their mind to it,” he said.

Find out more about this in the video below.