Q & A
Did you ever imagine this is where you would be right now in your life?
I never imagined my life would be where it is now. I received more out of my Biggest Loser experience than I ever imagined. I feel as if the fog has lifted, the blinders have been removed. I have realized that my wildest dreams can come true if I am willing to work hard enough for them, if I am willing to fight for them.
What is your favorite part of speaking?
My favorite part of speaking is looking into the eyes of the people who are listening and seeing in their faces that they get it. Watching them tap into that thought, that feeling or that thing that they always wished they could change but were always afraid to open up and talk about. For me every speech is different because every audience is different. It truly is amazing.
What is it like speaking about your life in front of hundreds of people?
When I am speaking to hundreds of people, I feel as if I am speaking to one person who is sitting out there wanting to change their life more than anyone can imagine. I am speaking to the one person who is so frustrated that they would give anything to have the opportunity to truly be who they want to be. I imagine I am speaking to myself before I was on The Biggest Loser.
Is it still difficult for you to control yourself around certain foods?
Food is something I will struggle with for the rest of my life. I do not have good days and bad days, rather I have good hours and bad hours. I can wake up in the morning and have the greatest workout and eat the healthiest breakfast but wonder if I will make those same chances for lunch. It is a constant battle but I have found ways to control myself and that is what keeps me going.
What is the best advice you can give someone suffering with weight issues?
The best advice I can give anyone who is suffering with weight issues is to get honest with yourself. If you are the person who has “tried everything” to lose weight and still cannot do it I would like to ask you one question: “What are you doing when no one else is looking?” Are you the person who eats your salad in front of everyone else then eats the cookies at your desk when you are all alone? Once you are honest with yourself, your life can really start to change.
Why do you think your message is important?
I think my message is important because for the majority of my life I wanted nothing more than to be healthy and feel comfortable in my own body. Despite all of the books I read, the pills I purchased, the diet and exercise programs I tried I still never got it. I will never forget what it felt like to live in my 360 lb body. As long as there are people out there with a desire to improve their life then I feel my message is still important.
