When Craig Schnaars was 25, he didn’t just face an ACL injury—he encountered a series of challenges that derailed his life. What started as a simple knee surgery turned into a series of complications, including multiple surgeries, an infection, and a long recovery period. As his physical health deteriorated, his mental health followed suit. Anxiety and depression took hold, and food became his coping mechanism. He gained weight, losing sight of the energetic, athletic person he once was.
But everything changed when Craig looked back at old photos and realized just how far he had fallen. That moment of clarity became the catalyst for his 75-pound weight loss journey and a newfound passion for fitness. Now, at 37, Craig has not only shed the weight but has also transformed his life, building a career in fitness and helping others along the way.
From Athlete to Weight Gain: The Struggle After Injury
Growing up, Craig was always athletic. Soccer was his sport of choice, and he was in peak physical shape throughout high school and college. However, everything changed when he tore his ACL at 25. After the surgery, a series of complications—multiple surgeries, an infection, and an extended recovery—kept him off his feet for far longer than expected. With time, Craig found himself on the couch, both physically and mentally exhausted.
His anxiety grew, and food became a source of comfort. He worked as a bar manager at Yankee Stadium, surrounded by unhealthy food and long shifts, which only added to his stress. Fast food, alcohol, and sugar-laden energy drinks became staples of his diet, and he noticed his physical appearance and mental state deteriorating.
“At my lowest, I was at 256 pounds,” Craig reflects. “I wasn’t happy with who I had become. I wasn’t the person I used to see in the mirror, and I didn’t have the confidence to face the person I was becoming.”
As his mental health worsened, Craig was diagnosed with anxiety disorder and depression, both of which were exacerbated by the weight gain caused by medications he was taking. For years, Craig was trapped in a cycle of unhealthy habits—eating to soothe his anxiety and drinking to numb his emotions. But then, something clicked.
The Moment of Clarity: The Turning Point
In June 2014, Craig stumbled upon old photos of himself with friends. He hadn’t realized how much time had passed and how far he had strayed from the person he once was. “I looked at those pictures, and I almost cried. I saw a version of myself that was lost,” he says. “It hit me all at once: I wasn’t myself anymore.”
That was the turning point. It was a moment of self-awareness that propelled him to take action. Craig decided that he would begin his journey back to health—starting with running. It wasn’t easy, but he knew that returning to his roots as an athlete was the way forward.
His first step? He signed up for a half marathon. It was a daunting challenge, but it gave him a clear goal and purpose. Alongside his running, Craig introduced small physical challenges into his routine. Every night, he worked on holding a plank. What started as 30 seconds gradually increased, until he was holding it for 4 minutes. The running wasn’t easy, but completing his first half marathon, even with modest splits, felt like a major victory. It was the first step in reclaiming his old self.
However, even as his running improved, Craig found that he wasn’t seeing the results he had hoped for in terms of weight loss. His weight had dropped from 256 pounds to 223 pounds, but the progress felt slow and frustrating. He realized that running alone wouldn’t be enough; he needed to find a more comprehensive approach to fitness and health.
A Fitness Revelation: Orangetheory Fitness
In 2017, Craig moved near an Orangetheory Fitness studio in Merrick, New York. He had tried it before and enjoyed the experience, so he decided to give it another go. He started going two to three times a week, and before long, he was attending four, five, and even six times a week.
“I started at 234 pounds,” Craig recalls. “And within a year, I was back to my college athlete weight of 185 pounds for the first time since 2008.” Not only did Craig shed the weight, but he also gained clarity, energy, and a renewed sense of purpose. The community, the competitiveness, and the structure of the classes gave him the motivation he needed to push himself further.
But Craig didn’t stop there. He wanted to take his fitness journey to the next level. After two years of dedication, he made the bold decision to become an Orangetheory coach. What began as a way to earn extra income turned into a life-altering career move. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the Head Coach at Orangetheory in Farmingdale, NY, and eventually a Regional Fitness Manager.
“I decided to make fitness my career,” he says. “I wanted to pay it forward and help others in the same way fitness had helped me.”
A Balanced Routine: Variety and Consistency
Craig’s fitness routine now includes a variety of workouts. He still enjoys Orangetheory’s Orange 60 class three times a week but also incorporates shadow boxing with weighted gloves, functional strength training, and active recovery days like Orangetheory’s Tread 50 class. His goal is to work out five to six times a week, every week.
“I’m currently training for my first-ever HYROX race in New York City,” Craig shares. “It’s a completely different kind of challenge, but I’m excited to test how my strength and endurance will hold up in a competition like this.”
The 3 Key Principles Craig Lives By for Weight Loss
Looking back on his 75-pound weight loss, Craig credits three principles that helped him achieve his goals:
1. Find Power in Habit
“The key to making lasting change is consistency,” Craig says. “Start small and build from there. I began by swapping out unhealthy foods for healthier options, like sushi and salads instead of burgers and fries. It wasn’t about perfection—it was about making a habit of healthier choices.”
Craig suggests starting with small, achievable goals. “Try to stick to a routine for a week. Once you’ve done it, try again for another week. Slowly, it becomes a habit, and habits create lasting change.”
2. Listen to Your Body
Craig used to think that every workout needed to be intense in order to see results. “But I learned that it’s not always about pushing yourself to the limit,” he says. “Sometimes, it’s about listening to your body and knowing when to rest or when to take it easy.”
Incorporating active rest, like walking or stretching, is key to preventing burnout and ensuring that you’re ready for the next workout.
3. Find Accountability
“Having someone to keep you accountable is crucial,” Craig explains. “Whether it’s a friend, a workout partner, or even a coach, find someone who will support you on your journey. Motivation won’t always be there, but accountability can keep you on track.”
For Craig, Orangetheory’s community provided the accountability he needed. “The group support and the encouragement from the coaches helped me push through tough times and stay committed.”
A Journey of Self-Discovery and Resilience
Craig Schnaars’ 75-pound weight loss journey is about much more than physical transformation. It’s a story of resilience, self-awareness, and finding purpose through fitness. As Craig has learned, the journey is never linear, and there will be ups and downs. But as long as you continue to push forward, the progress will come.
“Remember,” Craig advises, “there’s no true finish line. Striving for it is what matters. You are enough, and you deserve to make the change.”