Where is Shakyia Jackson now? SA survivor's 'My 600-lb Life' journey hits major health issue
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA: Shakyia Jackson showed her determination to become more self-sufficient in the TLC series, 'My 600-lb Life'. While she first lived with her family and was assisted by her mother, Natasha, and sister, Shaniqua, she has since relocated and begun living alone.
Even at the end of her stint on the program, she revealed that she did not live in an extended-stay hotel. While she was upset that she couldn't relocate to Houston to complete her therapy, she didn't let it bring her down.
At the end of her episode, Shakyia from 'My 600-lb Life' stated that she planned to lose weight, reunite with Dr Younan Nowzaradan, and relocate to Houston to participate in his program. However, that is obviously easier said than done.
Shakyia continues to live in Charlotte, North Carolina, but she appears to have launched her own craft company. She sells embellished beaded tumblers, snow globes, phone covers, and pens, among other items. Shakyia also creates bracelets.
It is unknown whether she has shed any extra weight, as she has not uploaded any images of herself other than selfies. She does not appear to have mentioned weight reduction or the show on her Facebook page.
While her episode aired in April 2024, it was most likely taped between 2022 and 2023. In November 2022, she stated in a Facebook status that she had been on her deathbed three times that year, implying that she may have experienced some health issues that were not discussed in her episode.
Speaking of her health journey, Shakyia took to Facebook just before the TLC premiere and wrote, "I didn’t want to really talk about it but I have no other choice now that it’s about to be viewed by millions of people tonight . This was filmed almost 2 years ago and finish filming last year no I don’t look the same . I am under a NDA I can’t talk much but if you will like it comes on at 8pm est . *** KEEP THE NEGATIVE COMMENTS TO YOURSELF ****"
Shakyia shared a joyful selfie in March 2024, making it look like she was content with her existence. Shakyia turned 27 in May 2023 and celebrated with a few images on Facebook. She will turn 28 in May 2024.
Who is Shakyia Jackson on 'My 600-lb Life' Season 12?
Season 12, Episode 6, titled 'Shakyia's Journey,' offers light on Shakyia, who opens up about her history and the reasons she believes caused her to be in the circumstances she was in during her time as a cast member. She had set her hopes on Dr Now, but her rehabilitation did not go as planned.
Shakyia revealed her wish to reduce weight during her appearance on the TLC show. She believed that this was interfering with her capacity to mingle as well as pursue her academics.
In a genuine tone, she discussed how she grew up in a single-mother family and developed the habit of treating each meal as if it were her last. Her father eventually took custody of her.
Following that, she frequently moved between foster homes until she was reunited with her mother.
Shakyia began to acquire weight at an early age after finding solace in food, reaching 200 pounds by the age of eleven. She was supposedly bullied for the same reason as a schoolchild.
She described how her need to fit in drove her to sleep with a boy at the age of 13, but she felt deeply rejected when the boy claimed not to remember her the next time they encountered each other. This, she claimed, spurred her to eat more and more, and she had gained 400 pounds by the time she graduated from high school.
Mental health battle attributed to Shakyia Jackson's weight gain
Shakyia also stated that she gained weight during her first year of college, which contributed to a decline in her mental health. As a result, she dropped out of college and moved back home. She worked numerous jobs before landing a position at a petrol station.
She then openly related how she had been raped by someone, and how the event had exacerbated her mental health and driven her towards eating. By the time she appeared on the show, she was determined to alter her life.
What happened to Shakyia Jackson on 'My 600-lb Life' Season 12?
Shakyia flew from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Houston, Texas, to visit with Dr Now. She weighed 655 pounds and was offered a diet plan to help her lose weight before considering surgery.
Shakyia did not return for her follow-up visit over the following six months, though. In Month 7, the doctor and patient reconnected, and Shakyia revealed that she had fainted around two months prior.
She seems to have suffered from respiratory failure.
According to Shakyia, her fall caused her to be unable to use her legs for some time and need hospice care. However, Dr. Now was dissatisfied with her, believing that this was only Shakyia's attempt to avoid responsibility.
By the ninth month, she had relocated to an extended hotel and was determined to resume her therapy. She said that she had stuck to the diet despite everything, but Dr. Now was suspicious.
Shakyia weighed 644 pounds in the eleventh month. This did not impress Dr Now; he was confident she was not as committed to the program as she claimed.
She asked him to give her another try, even though the medical professional did not believe it would be successful. Indeed, when it was determined that she had dropped just roughly 9 pounds over the next two months, Dr Now decided to cancel all follow-up sessions, much to Shakyia's dismay.
He did suggest that if she continued to attend treatment, he could be ready to review the procedure in the future.
Watch 'My 600-lb Life' Season 12 on TLC on Wednesdays at 8 pm EST.