Popular on EntSun
- EchoDreams Production to Unveil Latest Film and Videos - 104
- Introducing Luxevibe.io: The Trendsetting Hub for Luxe Beauty Reviews and Lifestyle Inspiration - 102
- Experience Handcrafted Elegance With Handbag Designer, Treniece Green This Upcoming BVFW x NYFW 24
- David Rice aka DJ Spin$ of Flint, MI, Achieves MRAA Palladium Certification for "Tank Moves"
- Jazz Fusion Drummer Bob Holz To Play Syracuse, NY
- Montice Harmon Celebrates "Eclipse" with New Remix
- Tia P. Releases Empowering Anthem "Kamala Who?" Celebrating Kamala Harris as the Democratic Presidential Nominee
- The Leading Private Autopsy Company Now Offering Services in All 50 States
- Gucci's Changemaker Recipient, Anya Dillard Joins BVFW x NYFW 24'
- Epic Fit Fest Celebrates Diversity, Wellness, and Community in Grand Prairie, Texas
Similar on EntSun
- SafeTea Launches App to Safeguard Women
- Immigrant Artists Explore Cultural, Historical and Social Experiences in "Unlocked Identities" Exhibition
- Luxury Real Estate Agent James Edmunds lists luxury beach home in the heart of Deerfield Beach
- Melanated Cares Foundation to Host 2024 Annual Camping Retreat "Melanated Campout" Powered by Winnebago Industries Foundation
- Oliver Sean's "Mama Taught Me (Dance Mix)" Featuring DJ Xquizit Hits #1 in Multiple Countries Within 24 Hours of Release
- Epic Fit Fest Celebrates Diversity, Wellness, and Community in Grand Prairie, Texas
- New Jersey Pediatric Neuroscience Institute Opens State-of-the-Art Pediatric Neuroscience Center in Hamilton, NJ
- Shanna Shryne Design: Redefining Luxury Interior Design
- Don Barnhart Nominated for Best Comedian and Delirious Comedy Club Nominated for Best Comedy Club in Las Vegas
- Liquid Core® announces EDGE™ Functional Gum lineup; More Sustainable Packaging Emulates Slim Energy Drink Cans
Viral celebrity Eric Hites, aka "Fat Guy Across America" dies at 49
EntSun News/11035352
DANVILLE, Ind. - EntSun -- Eric Hites, a native of Indiana, who rose to international viral stardom in 2015 for riding a bicycle across the country in order to win the love of his estranged wife back, has died. He was 49. Hites' publicist confirmed the news.
Morbidly overweight at 567 pounds, the self-proclaimed 'Fat Guy Across America' captured the hearts of a nation after he decided to change his life by bicycling across America to shed the pounds he collected over the years and prove his love to his estranged wife, Angie. It was a story filled with drama, inspiration and extreme challenges, one that garnered worldwide attention. "I had to think of my future, financially, I needed to get healthy so I could work, so I could take care of my wife, take care of myself." A GoFundMe campaign raised about $20,000 to help Eric accomplish his goals.
Eric had considered gastric bypass surgery, but was inspired to do something altogether different when he heard the Proclaimers' song 'I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)'. The narrator of the 1988 hit vows to walk 500 miles (and 500 more) to prove his devotion, and that gave Eric his grand idea. Eric's story inspired countless people to believe in themselves, to fight for their dreams, and to never give up, no matter the odds. It was a love story as much as it was a weight loss journey. By the time Eric had reached Rhode Island, his wife Angie had already joined him.
More on EntSun News
"By completing this ride I hope to encourage others to get up and get moving no matter their weight," Eric wrote at the beginning of his trip, when he said he weighed 560 pounds.
In a statement released today, Angie said, "Eric was a gentle giant and my best friend in this world. We celebrated what would have been our 16th wedding anniversary yesterday with lunch in the hospital and a giant embrace. We never grew apart, only closer. His face, laugh, and quick witted character will live on forever in my heart and mind." She continued, "He lived many lifetimes in the one life God gave him. He did it all despite being limited. He was very loved and will live on through his many posts on travels and inspirational videos. He left a digital footprint, as well as footprints on the hearts of many. Heaven gained one heck of an angel today."
Eric and Angie made a much publicized appearance together on the Dr. Phil Show in 2016.
The family requests privacy at this time.
Morbidly overweight at 567 pounds, the self-proclaimed 'Fat Guy Across America' captured the hearts of a nation after he decided to change his life by bicycling across America to shed the pounds he collected over the years and prove his love to his estranged wife, Angie. It was a story filled with drama, inspiration and extreme challenges, one that garnered worldwide attention. "I had to think of my future, financially, I needed to get healthy so I could work, so I could take care of my wife, take care of myself." A GoFundMe campaign raised about $20,000 to help Eric accomplish his goals.
Eric had considered gastric bypass surgery, but was inspired to do something altogether different when he heard the Proclaimers' song 'I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)'. The narrator of the 1988 hit vows to walk 500 miles (and 500 more) to prove his devotion, and that gave Eric his grand idea. Eric's story inspired countless people to believe in themselves, to fight for their dreams, and to never give up, no matter the odds. It was a love story as much as it was a weight loss journey. By the time Eric had reached Rhode Island, his wife Angie had already joined him.
More on EntSun News
- Always The VIP Launches Promotional Dinner Parties at Fushimi in Times Square NYC
- Green Office Partner Ranked #1 on Crain's 2024 List of Best Places to Work in Chicago
- Winnie Stackz Presents Couture Fighting Cancer Part 3 In Atlanta, Ga
- Diversified Industrial Acquisition Agreement, Plus Major Contract Award for Large Fleet Trucking Provider: MingZhu Logistics: Stock Symbol: YGMZ
- Messageware Z-Day Guard v1.5 Expands MDR Security to Azure, Exchange, and Windows Servers
"By completing this ride I hope to encourage others to get up and get moving no matter their weight," Eric wrote at the beginning of his trip, when he said he weighed 560 pounds.
In a statement released today, Angie said, "Eric was a gentle giant and my best friend in this world. We celebrated what would have been our 16th wedding anniversary yesterday with lunch in the hospital and a giant embrace. We never grew apart, only closer. His face, laugh, and quick witted character will live on forever in my heart and mind." She continued, "He lived many lifetimes in the one life God gave him. He did it all despite being limited. He was very loved and will live on through his many posts on travels and inspirational videos. He left a digital footprint, as well as footprints on the hearts of many. Heaven gained one heck of an angel today."
Eric and Angie made a much publicized appearance together on the Dr. Phil Show in 2016.
The family requests privacy at this time.
Source: AEP Media, LLC
Filed Under: Lifestyle
0 Comments
Latest on EntSun News
- Prince of Eurasia: Monotheism and Devils — the ultrarare Eurasian theological documentary of executive producer Prince Oak Oakleyski
- Vimaan Named in the Gartner® Hype Cycle™ Reports, 2024 for Autonomous Data Collection and Inspection
- Award-Winning Comedian Dahéli Hall Brings Her Solo Show "SPADURA" to The Lyric Theater in Miami
- Vantiva Unveils ONYX, its latest Smart Media Device with Advanced AI Capabilities at IBC 2024
- Aortem, Backed by Venturseed, Transforms Mobile and Gaming Development with an Open Source Platform and Expanding Developer Tools
- NRx Pharmaceuticals NRXP: Prominently Featured in Psychiatrist.com; Article Titled "How NRx Could Upend the Fight Against Depression and Suicide"
- Hollywood In Pixels, Inc. Announces the 7th Silver Pixel Awards
- Steve Gonsalves from Ghost Hunters at the Capitol Theatre in Macon, GA
- New Boutique Revolutionizes Fashion for Tall Women
- Vegas Makes You Famous weekend
- Policy vs Politics Rebrands to Everything Policy: A New Era of Facts-first Policy Content
- Season 8 of Tomorrow's World Today Premieres on Science Channel, Starting September 21
- Film Volt Group Announces a New Partnership at TIFF with Canadian International Casting Company
- GitKraken Launches DevEx Advance Partner Program to Help Atlassian Solution Partners Elevate Their Clients' Developer & DevOps Team Productivity
- FEM Provides a Safe, Free Space for Female Business Owners
- Dezerland Park to host GEM Wedding Expo
- Phinge's Plan to Save Free Speech and Give Everyone the Right to Personal Privacy and Ownership and Monetization of Their Online Data and Content
- The Royalty Network and CEO Frank Liwall Appoint Daniel Abowd as New President & General Counsel
- African-American Marketing Association Launches Business of Marketing Bootcamp™ for Small Businesses
- L2 Aviation Announces Strategic Growth Investment from Argentum