Summary

• My 600-Lb Life highlighted Ashley's emotional roller-coaster, showcasing her weight-loss journey and struggles with trauma and self-esteem.
• Ashley's battle with obesity showcased heart-wrenching family dynamics, highlighting her tragic story of resilience and personal growth.
• Despite Ashley's inspiring weight-loss efforts, her untimely death shed light on the ongoing struggle that obese people face.

My 600-Lb Life first introduced Ashley Randall, a 24-year-old from Killeen, Texas, during the show's inaugural season in 2012, and told one of the most heartbreaking stories in the show's history. She had a troubled childhood and major problems in adulthood, so Ashley garnered sympathy and . It was easy to root for Ashley as she tried to get past obstacles and achieve her goals. Unfortunately, Ashley’s weight-loss journey ended tragically in 2021.

My 600-Lb Life season 1 followed four patients throughout a seven-year period, as the cast participated in Dr. Younan “Now” Nowzaradan's weight-loss program. At the time, Ashley was one of the youngest cast to appear on the long-running medical reality series. She then weighed 617 pounds. While she was not the heaviest of season 1's patients, Ashley’s young age made her more vulnerable to gaining weight before she reached her 30s, which concerned her greatly.

My 600-Lb Life's Ashley Randall's Weight Loss Journey

Ashley Turned To Food When Life Got Hard

Like most cast on My 600-Lb Life, Ashley Randall faced weight issues and personal trauma. While appearing on the show, Ashley revealed that she lost her father, who was one of her biggest ers, to cancer. The death of her father left Ashley feeling alone, and she turned to food to cope with her grief. While her father was her biggest er, Ashley’s mother was her biggest critic, constantly belittling and demeaning her daughter because of her weight.

Ashley's Mom Added To Her Trauma On My 600-Lb Life

Ashley's Mother Didn't Love Her Unconditionally

While Ashley’s mom wasn’t an enabler like some families on My 600-Lb Life, fans were quick to point out how her toxic behavior and unkind words negatively affected Ashley during her weight-loss journey. In a Reddit thread by u/Stolovich, one fan proclaims that, “There is no greater wound that can be inflicted in a child than to not have their mother’s love and acceptance. Her mom had no idea how truly hostile and mean-spirited those harsh remarks about Ashley’s weight were.” The fan continued,

“How healthy is someone going to be who believes that their mother doesn’t love them?”

Despite her personal trauma, Ashley ended her stint on My 600-lb Life weighing 253 pounds, losing nearly 400 pounds while on the hit reality TV series. Ashley's inspirational weight-loss on My 600-Lb Life was notable. Subsequently, she seemed to be on the fast track to being approved for her much needed weight-loss surgery on her legs. Unfortunately, her positive trajectory was short-lived.

Ashley Randall's My 600-Life: Where Are They Now? Episode Was Poignant

Her Life Had Really Changed

When Ashley returned for a special My 600-Lb Life: Where Are They Now? episode in 2015, as per the clip above, fans were shocked to discover that she was no longer an active participant in Dr. Now's weight loss program. She had actually gained more weight since they'd last seen her. At 312 pounds, Ashley was unable to get the weight-loss surgery that she needed. She was told by Dr. Now that she would have to lose at least 100 pounds in order to get the green light for the operation.

Ashley did try to change her life. She initially managed to lose a lot of weight, but in time, she began to get heavier. She was frustrated, and in the video above, she talked about the fact that she'd:

hit a wall and stopped losing weight.

Nonetheless, she had plans and took tangible steps to make her dreams a reality. For example, she wanted to own a daycare. In order to make that dream come true, she needed a degree. So, she went back to school. That filled her with trepidation, but she bravely did it anyway.

Ashley managed to get in a car and drive to the college - she also fit in lecture hall seats. For her, both of these things were victories.

A professor even commended her for losing weight as he felt that doing so would make it simpler for her to connect with her students. She'd be agile enough to crouch down and talk to them. It's nice when adults get down on kids' levels sometimes - it makes it easier to talk face to face.

Dr. Now Tried To Help Ashley Randall

She Tried To Help Herself

In Where Are They Now?, Ashley was valiantly trying to overcome her food addiction and move on. She was tidying up her apartment, folding her clothes, getting dressed and heading off to school. She was doing her hair. As people who watch the show know, a lot of patients are bedridden, or close to it, when they start their weight-loss journeys. Their lives are at risk. So, the fact that Ashley was doing all of these things really mattered. She was overcoming a lot, but still had health issues.

Ashley was taking control by performing basic self-care tasks. She was enrolled in an educational program. Since she was doing so much to better her life, the fact that she died was heartbreaking. It seems so unfair. People who live with obesity should make sure that they get regular check-ups and weight-loss advice.

Ashley didn't like the look of her legs either, so the fact that she couldn't get the operation that would change their appearance bothered her. She was attempting to change, but some things stressed her out and negatively impacted her self-esteem.

Many Redditors Sympathize With Ashley Randall

She's Not Considered A Villain

Also, she carried trauma from her upbringing. For this reason, she isn't considered a villain like Steven Assanti is. On Reddit, a thread started by AudraGreenTea explored her journey in the My 600-Lb Life franchise. The OP wrote:

Her mother was a horrible person, she made fun of her daughter, complained about having to be in the waiting room for 4 hours while Ashley was having surgery, just a terrible mother. I feel really bad for Ashley.

It's true that most parents wouldn't complain about waiting at the hospital while their children were getting operations. It seems like Ashley's mother was narcissistic. She put herself above her child and didn't appear to feel Ashley's emotional pain.

However, Ashley's father meant the world to her. In her Where Are They now? episode, she put flowers on his grave and talked about how much she missed him. Clearly, he did give her the love she needed. Nonetheless, Ashley had to learn to love herself, and by the time she began to, health issues were already taking their toll.

Sadly, Ashley ed away on October 2nd, 2021, at the age of 40 years old, ing the long list of former My 600-Lb Life participants to die young. Ashley ed away after her body became septic. She had been fighting a terrible infection before her death and had even caught pneumonia while she was in the hospital. Her death is tragic and premature - she is missed.

Sources: u/Stolovich/Reddit, AudraGreenTea/Reddit