A Riverview woman lost so much weight, her dentures didn't fit properly. The same gym community that helped her toward her goal wanted to give Mary Hetzel her smile back.

  • Mary Hetzel went from 328 pounds to 159 pounds
  • Weight loss resulted in temporary dentures no longer fitting
  • Gym raised funds to purchase set of permanent dentures

At 348 pounds, Hetzel had diabetes and sleep apnea. Doctors told her to lose weight, or she was going to die.

She started working out at the Anytime Fitness in Riverview. Hetzel says the small community encouraged her and made working out fun. She now weighs 159 pounds.

Brian Kleinschmidt, the owner of the Anytime Fitness location, was so excited for Hetzel, he asked to take his picture with her.

Photo courtesy of Brian Kleinschmidt, Anytime Fitness

"I took a photo in the gym, and I noticed she wasn't smiling," said Kleinschmidt.  "I asked to take one more. She took me aside and said 'I can't smile, I don't have any teeth.'"

All that weight loss meant her temporary dentures didn't fit properly.

"I was sad," said Hetzel. "I didn't like that I couldn't smile. Smiling is good for your soul."

A week later, a sign was hanging in the front of the gym with a picture of a mouth with no teeth. The members wanted to raise enough money to buy Hetzel a new set of permanent dentures. With each $100 the group raised, another tooth went on the smile.

Members, along with Anytime Fitness and the dentist, raised enough money to make it happen.

"You would have thought she won the lottery," said Kleinschmidt. "She started crying when we told her, and laughing. She was finally excited she could show that self confidence she has on the inside."

Hetzel received her new smile Wednesday. She didn't know her gym family was waiting with balloons at the gym to see her new set of teeth.

She walked in to a large group of people clapping, asking to see her smile.

"Everyone pulled together just to see me smile again," said Hetzel. "It's incredible. It's so indescribable how people just love you and they don't even know you. The world needs so much more of that."

Willie Hinson, a fellow gym member, was one of many who helped Hetzel's cause. He watched her walk in looking like a different person.

"I was ecstatic. I've never seen a more beautiful smile on such a beautiful person," Hinson said.