We recently spoke with Lori Harrigan-Mack and Scott Mitchell, the last two eliminated contestants from The Biggest Loser: The Glory Years about their experience on the show and what they learned.
Want to see a sneak peek at Bob training the trainers, we have a clip below and be sure to tune into tonight’s episode! Only one more left before we learn who will be the biggest loser this season… who do you think it will be?
In case you missed it, Lori Harrigan-Mack is a three-time Olympic gold medal winner in softball and is in four Hall of Fames – three as an individual (for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and ASA/USA softball) and one as a team member (2004 Olympic team in the Olympic Hall of Fame). Harrigan-Mack has found life challenging after retiring in 2004 from competitive softball where a poor diet, several miscarriages and depression created her weight gain. A mother of a six year old, her motivation was more than just getting back in shape but keeping up with him. Now 44 years old and 301 pounds, she has lost over 80 pounds so far!
When Scott Mitchell was growing up he excelled in football had an impressive career in the NFL playing 12 seasons in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens. After football, he started putting on weight and knew he had to change his path or end up like his father, who passed away from obesity-related causes earlier this year. At 46 years old and 366 pounds and five kids ranging in age from 11 to 21, its not surprise that he got back in the game and has also lost over 110 pounds so far!
If you’re watching this season, it’s also the 10 year anniversary of the show’s premiere where 330 contestants have lost thousands of pounds while learning how to change their lifestyle to be healthier.
Watch this sneak peek with Jenna Wolfe as shows the contestants a workout they can do without a gym!
See more of our coverage of the Biggest Loser’s 10 Year Celebration: #BL10Years http://bit.ly/8BLThursdays
Here’s our Interview with Scott and Lori and scroll down for a sneak peek digital exclusive blooper video from this season…
Question: What the biggest personal obstacle you had to overcome was for you to be successful?
Lori Harrigan-Mack told us… “…I think the biggest obstacle for me to overcome was finding that confidence back in myself and I don’t ever think just as (Jesse) pointed out to me, from the very beginning was that it was never a physical thing – I am not afraid to work hard or work out.
Emotional Side of Finding Confidence
I think it was just the emotional side of finding that confidence back in me and just believing in myself again to be able to find it – to dig through all the emotional baggage and find that strong person that I use to be before…
…once I started to slowly overcome that it – I just kept getting stronger and stronger so that’s been one thing that I’ve had to overcome and I’m sure I’ll just continue to get stronger every day when I’m home.”
Scott Mitchell told us… “…the hardest part for me was just being willing to go on a national show in public and be vulnerable. And actually, really let myself go and like (Lori) said, you know, to open up emotionally and find out the reasons, you know, why I’ve gained weight…
Open Up Emotionally
…And that was a huge obstacle for me to overcome and one that I didn’t even want to be on this show initially when it was introduced to me. And so just overcoming that and just opening myself up to getting to the real root of why I gained weight.”
Question: What tips would you share with other people who have to face the same journey whether they need to lose 20 pounds or 200 pounds??
Lori Harrigan-Mack told us… “…[first] you have to find the underlying reason as to why you’re either fluctuating with your weight or why you got over weight in the first place…
…you can go out on as many diets as you want and if you don’t truly address why it’s going to be hard…
Planning Ahead
… on the other side of that I think planning… I know for me a lot times if you don’t plan and you don’t make sure that you’re setting yourself up for success you end up finding yourself in a pinch where fast food or convenience food is easy to grab or easy to turn to so that is probably one of the best things that you can do is just plan ahead.”
Scott Mitchell told us… “…Yes, for me it’s, finding your motivation… I was going to die if I didn’t change and I knew I had to change.
Knowledge of How-to Change
It was getting the knowledge of how to change, there were things I didn’t realize. I was eating almost 1500 calories in just breakfast alone and so kind of having this knowledge and awareness of that and then surrounding myself in an environment with friends who can really help me succeed.
…it’s not just my will power alone, but I’ve got great support from family and friends and you kind of have to remove yourself from people or situations that are going to entice you not to do this and so it’s more than just your will power. It’s having other factors involved and recognizing them and putting a good plan in place.”
Question: How much of a shock was it when Bob showed up with Woody?
Lori Harrigan-Mack told us… “I give (props) to the show for keeping it a secret from all of us on the ranch because I was completely shocked. Because when (Ally) says that there’s this surprise and it’s Week 16 – it’s like its almost over…
…what surprise could you have now and then to see that it’s (Bob)… I was really confused because why would he be coming this late in the show and it’s just so many questions start running through your head as to what going on.
But at any rate I was so excited to be able to get the opportunity to meet with him and even if was to train with him for one or two workouts it was really exciting. So I more than being angry or upset I was just kind of more excited to just see him walk through the door.
…when I saw – I love (Woody) to death so when I saw (Woody) come through the door it was – that thought didn’t come to my head – oh he’s another competitor or anything. My thought was more yeah (Woody’s) back.”
The Trainers Are All SMILES… but will they be smiling after the TODAY show’s Jenna Wolf reveals to Jessie, Jen and Dolvett that they will be trained in “The Biggest Loser” gym by Bob Harper… Don’t miss the fun tonight on NBC
Watch this Digital Exclusive of the Top 10 Funny Moments You Didn’t See this Season
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