An unexpected diagnosis of Stage 4 liver cancer did not deter Chris Archila from his desire to stay physically fit. The Lake Elsinore resident was one of the gym-level winners of the EōS annual Submit Your Fit contest for 2025, demonstrating the power of fitness to change lives.
As chemotherapy treatments took a mental and physical toll on him, he went from squatting and deadlifting 500 pounds to only 100 pounds — but Archila, now 21, knew he needed to keep hitting the gym to stay alive and was determined to compete in powerlifting one day.
Through an improved diet, consistent gym routine, and unwavering perseverance, Archila defied all odds. Today, he continues to hit new milestones in the gym, continuously reminding himself he can do anything he puts his mind to, despite any obstacles that get in the way. Archila’s remarkable journey earned him the title of overall winner at EōS’ Lake Elsinore location — a testament to how choosing yourself can transform your life.
“We’re always working with members who are recovering from injuries or managing illnesses,” said Pam Larsen, Sr. District Fitness Manager. “After consistently carving out time to invest in themselves at the gym, many members have been able to come off medication, move without aches and pains, or ease symptoms and side effects — we love hearing these inspirational stories. That’s what the Submit Your Fit contest is all about.”
Fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC), also known as fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, is a rare type of liver cancer that primarily affects adolescents and young adults without pre-existing liver disease. Diagnosed with FLC in January of 2023, Archila spent two weeks in the ICU and has had complications throughout his journey.
“I never let that stop me. I was destroyed physically and mentally, but I kept telling myself I had to stay in the gym to live,” he said. “Hardships such as surgeries, chemo, and the constant pain in my body wanted to stop me, but I kept telling myself I was stronger than that.”
FLC is so rare that there is little data on how many people have it. It is thought to make up 1% to 5% of all liver cancers. FLC affects both men and women and is thought to occur in about one in five million people in the U.S.
“It’s a very rare cancer that’s just caused randomly, and that’s why I was so shocked,” he said.
Archila said he honestly thought he was going to die, and he had to step away from his career and school as he got very weak. The chemotherapy affected his thinking and mood, and ongoing appointments interfered with other plans a lot of the time. He said his doctors encouraged his desire to stay physically active.
“I had a 23-hour surgery in February, and it took me from 165 (pounds) to 110 (pounds), but right now I’m going to start getting my strength back; that’s my new goal,” he said.
Archila has lived in Lake Elsinore for five years and started attending his town’s EōS fitness center when it opened in December. He said he has made many friends with the staff members there and was happy to be recognized by winning the contest.
“Sharing my story on social media on my Instagram account, @mrlbforlb, helped me garner support for my situation and allowed me to help others find motivation when they thought they couldn’t keep pushing,” he said. “While on active treatment, I won my first Powerlifting competition and actually qualified for nationals.”
His workouts help him stay mentally fit as well. He spends two hours a day, six days a week at the gym. He has worked out a structured plan and schedule that is good for him.
“It has made me more confident in myself and my survival,” he said. “It’s helped with my mentality, with my confidence, and overall, just made me a more determined individual.”
The EōS Fitness Submit Your Fit contest is held annually as an opportunity for members to inspire others and share their transformational stories and before-and-after photos. One gym-level winner from each EōS location is voted on by EōS team members. Each gym-level winner is awarded ten personal training sessions and a $100 gift card.
“At EōS, our members have many different reasons for coming to the gym, and we hear a wide range of benefits that bring them back,” Larsen said. “Whether they want to tackle challenges, take charge of their lives again, or hit new fitness goals, our community celebrates how fitness boosts their overall well-being — mentally, physically, and emotionally. We’re committed to creating a friendly, welcoming space where everyone, no matter their skill level, can thrive and enjoy their fitness journey. The hardest step is the first — getting to the gym. We offer a free 7-Day Pass for newcomers to check us out.”
Archila said his advice to anyone who is overcoming a health issue but wants to get into the best physical shape possible is to never give up, do their best, and do what they can do because it is hard, but it is very important to stay active.
“Fitness is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and our annual Submit Your Fit contests have highlighted the range of motivations that inspire new members to embark on their fitness journeys at EōS,” Larsen said. “After receiving over 900 submissions this year, a common theme emerged — our members’ aspiration to become their best selves.”
For more information about EōS Fitness or to join, visit EoSFitness.com.
