I Thought I’d Never Be Strong With Crohn’s Disease. Now I’m Healthier Than Ever.

Steven Craig Collins II (who goes by Craig) was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at 14 years old. He experienced years of poor health, surgeries, and low self-esteem—but he’s battled through adversity to become a stronger, healthier person. Now 39, the San Diego, CA, government employee is able to pursue an active lifestyle dedicated to fitness and family. Here, in his words, is how he did it.

I WAS A very active kid growing up in San Diego. I played all kinds of sports and did karate. I was energetic and happy.

At 13 I started to have severe stomach pain—it was awful pain, all the time. I would go to the hospital seeking help, and they would send me home, telling me to take some Pepto Bismol. It was frustrating. I knew something was not right, and my parents consistently advocated for me and brought me back in as many times as needed. This was back in the late 1990s, and Crohn’s disease was not as well-known.

Finally, I received a Crohn’s diagnosis at 14 after undergoing diagnostic tests. I was just starting high school, and my parents were separating and going through a custody battle. It was a time of heightened stress and anxiety for me, which only triggered my Crohn’s symptoms, pushing them into overdrive. I was taking a ton of different medications, but I was always sick and extremely skinny. I was 5’7” and weighed just 120 pounds.

From the ages of 14 to 21, I was struggling and just getting by. I was in a daily battle. Although I was told that Crohn’s would also stunt my growth, I surpassed expectations and shot up to 6’ 2”. I received the best care possible from my G.I. doctor at the time, Dr. Chris Costanza. But my energy and strength were still decimated.

The day after my 22nd birthday, I was put in the intensive care unit due to malnourishment. I weighed just 140 pounds and my body was deteriorating. Every time I ate, I was in pain. I didn’t have an appetite and was put on a feeding tube. My weight stayed dangerously low, and no medications or diets were working. People would comment on how skinny I was, and that impacted my self esteem. My body image suffered.

I faced a life-altering decision to have an ostomy surgery to manage my Crohn’s, which would require me to have my entire large intestine removed and wear an ileostomy bag. It was the hardest decision of my life, but I needed to do it.

I immediately began gaining weight after the procedure. I could finally take control of my health. But I also had to learn how to live with an ileostomy bag. Seeing a piece of my intestine protruding from my stomach every day was a surreal and humbling experience that tested my confidence and strength. The bag had to be changed every few days, and I dreaded it every time—it was so painful and gross to clean. But my faith and parents served as reassurance. I had to keep moving forward. During this time, I also met my wife, Jasmine. She never made me feel self-conscious about my ileostomy bag, and I am forever grateful for her unconditional support.

I lived with an ileostomy bag from August 2007 until March 2012. I went to several doctors to have the procedure reversed so I wouldn’t have to wear the bag anymore, but I was denied at every turn. Although I had reached 165 pounds, the ileostomy bag made it hard to exercise and stay active, since it was extremely sensitive.

Finally, in March 2021, Dr. Daniel Klaristenfeld agreed to do the reversal surgery. I was committed to building my strength. I was sick—literally—of being skinny. Once the ileostomy bag was removed, I began a committed fitness journey that got me where I am today: up to 200 pounds. My current G.I. doctor, Dr. Ashley Manganiello, has been supportive and committed to keeping me healthy.

I wake up early for 6 a.m. workouts five days a week. I run two to three miles a day with a 15 pound weighted vest. I live in a hilly neighborhood, so it’s a challenge. I jump rope and I like to challenge myself to punch through rounds on my heavy bag, like I’m in a real boxing match. I do a mix of pushups, pullups, cable work, and dumbbells, too.

Weekends are for active rest, and that usually means going on hikes with my wife and three kids or swimming. I like to push my body while staying mindful not to take on too much at once. My goal is to train for mobility. I want to wake up and not feel stiff.

To fuel myself and maintain muscle, my diet is pretty basic. With Crohn’s, I need to eat foods that are low in fiber, so I stick to things like oatmeal, grilled chicken, rice, and pasta. I take a number of supplements, including a multivitamin, magnesium, zinc, and Vitamin C. I drink a gallon of water every day, and take 100 grams of protein and 15 grams of creatine.

When I look at old photos of myself, I’m so proud of how far I’ve come. I want to keep growing and pushing. After being so skinny for so long, it’s a gift to be able to be able to feel strong and maintain muscle. Success isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress and celebrating the effort.

My journey is a testament to those who feel overlooked—those battling health challenges, struggling with body image, or feeling they’ll never match society’s perfect standards. I’ve learned that real strength isn’t about looking flawless, it’s about showing up for yourself even when it’s hard. Progress is deeply personal; it’s about becoming a little better than yesterday and embracing the imperfections that make us human. To anyone who feels unseen: Your journey matters, and every step forward is a victory worth celebrating.