by BRIANNA SICILIANO Photo/Video Editor
“The Biggest Loser” returned to television for its 15th season on October 15. The world became exposed to the lives and struggles of 15 contestants, all fighting for a second chance at life.
The reality show began its first season in the United States in 2004. The show revolves around overweight contestants who are attempting to lose the most weight that they can, as well as winning a grand cash prize.
Each contestant on the show has the same goal – to lose the highest percentage of their weight and become the Biggest Loser.
The show’s success does not rely on which contestants win or lose, or the amount of weight that the contestants lose. The show is successful because millions of people worldwide are inspired by the contestants of the show.
“This is not about winning a game, it’s about fixing what’s broken,” says Bob Harper, one of the three trainers on the show.
This season, the show started differently from the previous 14 seasons. For the first time in “Biggest Loser” history, the three trainers chose which contestants would be on the show.
After receiving thousands of submissions, trainers Dolvett Quince, Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper were able to select their 15 contestants for this season. It was not an easy decision for the trainers. The show gives these ordinary people a second chance at life, which is not something that should be taken lightly.
Each trainer will also have a brand new “trainer save” to use during contestant weigh-ins. Each of the three trainers will get to save one eliminated contestant throughout the season. This decision must be made wisely.
Each contestant comes with different story that will touch you.
“Only 60 minutes of the show has aired and the show’s audience is already very emotional. Hearing some of the contestant’s stories just breaks your heart,” said sophomore Toni Rothchild.
Every contestant is on their own unique journey to reclaim their health and create a better future for themselves and their families.
Ruben Studdard, the winner of the second season of “American Idol,” is now returning to television on a very different stage, hoping to lose weight and learn how to live a healthy lifestyle. Studdard is this season’s heaviest contestant.
David Brown, a contestant who lost his first wife to a ten-year battle with cancer, is now fighting for his life. He promised his wife that he would always be there for his daughters, and Brown intends to keep his promise. With “The Biggest Loser”s help, Brown lost 38 pounds on his first week on the ranch.
Other contestants include Olympic weight lifter Holley Mangold, who hopes the show will help her get into great shape for the 2016 Olympic games, as well as Rachel Frederickson, a former nationally ranked Olympic swimmer who gave up her swimming career and scholarships for a relationship that did not last.
“This show does not only inspire people around the world, but it gives a great message. The contestants are ordinary people, for the most part, who are trying to get their lives back, this time, with a healthier lifestyle. They go through similar problems that their audience goes through and they are proving to everyone that weight loss, and getting your life back, is possible,” says junior Alannah Nasser.
Will you be tuning in this Tuesday to watch the second week of “The Biggest Loser?”