A photo of a young man from Utica, New York, has captured hearts across the internet — not because of his physique, but because of his extraordinary resilience.

Jared Wells, who has been battling cystic fibrosis, was recently cleared by his doctors to begin exercising again after a long fight with illness. His friend’s father, gym owner Bob Donnelly of Body Alive Fitness, shared Jared’s story online to encourage support and understanding before anyone made assumptions.

“Before anyone makes jokes — know this: Jared has been fighting a serious illness, and we almost lost him,” Donnelly wrote in his post. “He’s starting from scratch — his arms are 8¼ inches, his legs just over 12 inches, and he’s at 0% body fat. But we’re going to build him back up, step by step.”

The post quickly went viral, with thousands of people offering encouragement and prayers for Jared’s recovery and progress. Many expressed admiration for his courage to start rebuilding his body and his life.

“You already did something amazing,” one commenter wrote. “Please keep us updated — your strength is inspiring.” Another supporter sent best wishes for “continued healing and progress.”

Just one week into his training at Body Alive, Jared began seeing small but meaningful improvements. A GoFundMe campaign started by Donnelly’s son has helped provide Jared with vitamins and protein supplements, and he has already gained two pounds.

Determined to share his progress and motivate others, Jared has also launched his own Instagram account where he posts updates about his workouts, meals, and milestones. In his most recent update, he proudly shared that he has now gained five pounds — a powerful testament to his determination and willpower.

For Donnelly and the entire Body Alive community, Jared’s journey is more than just a fitness story — it’s a reminder of the power of perseverance, compassion, and believing in second chances.