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2 Sep tember 7 - 13, 2014 Br ainerd Dispatch By Jacqueline Spendlove TV Media Y ou might think an NFL player, an Olympic gold medalist and a former tennis pro would have the whole fitness regimen thing permanently in the bag. "The Biggest Loser," however, is about to demonstrate that this isn't necessarily the case. The up- coming season of the reality series has been branded "Glory Days," and the list of overweight contes- tants comprises 20 former athletes looking to shed some weight and, well, regain their former glory. The season premieres Thursday, Sept. 11, on NBC, complete with some fresh talent and a new twist. Over the course of its run, "The Biggest Loser" has helped hun- dreds of overweight contestants — many dangerously so — change their lives by slimming way down and taking on a healthi- er lifestyle. On average, the win- ners of the past 15 seasons have lost nearly half of their body weight, and the "Glory Days" gang is hoping to achieve similar results as they sweat their way to- wards the $250,000 grand prize that's awarded to the contestant with the highest percentage of weight lost. This time around, though, the contestants have the added incen- tive of not just getting thin, but getting back the athleticism they once enjoyed. Everyone on board for this kick at the can has a histo- ry in sports, most just at the high school or college level, but some bear names you might recognize. Enter two-time Super Bowl champion Damien Woody, an of- fensive linesman in the NFL for 12 years. His size may have served him well on the gridiron, but at 388 pounds, Woody now has a hard time keeping up with his sev- en kids and is ready to get healthy. Fellow NFL alumnus Scott Mitchell, most recently a quarter- back for the Cincinnati Bengals, lost his dad to obesity-related causes earlier this year. At 366 pounds, Mitchell now has high blood pressure and sleep apnea. His weight has been an issue for the past 10 years or so, and he's aware that he could be headed in the same direction as his dad if he doesn't turn things around. Weighing in at 301 pounds, Lori Harrigan-Mack has not only won three Olympic gold medals in soft- ball, but she also pitched the first no-hitter in Olympic history. Out of the competitive softball game for the past decade, Harrigan-Mack, like Mitchell and Woody, wants to live a long life with her child and her spouse. "I think this is going to be the most competitive group," said Bob Harper, one of the show's return- ing trainers, in a "Zap2it" inter- view. "You look back at ex-ath- letes that have been on the show, and they're the ones who are so committed to the process. It's go- ing to be a wild ride." The contestants won't be the only new faces you'll see this sea- son. With Jillian Michaels' third de- parture from the show following last season's controversial finale, two new trainers will be stepping in to lend their fitness expertise to the group of one-time jocks. Jessie Pavelka is a veteran when it comes to slimming people down in front of the camera. Across the pond, he encour- aged viewers from all over the U.K. to reach their fitness goals by making just one small change each day on ITV's "Moti- vation Nation." He also starred on Sky TV's "Obese: A Year to Save My Life" and "Fat: The Fight of My Life," in which he helped morbidly obese Brits get control over their eating habits and adopt more healthy lifestyles. Stateside, he's appeared on Lifetime Network's "DietTribe" and "Wake Up Workout With Ga- iam" on OWN, so he's clearly not afraid of being in the spotlight. Nor is Jennifer Widerstrom, who will also be lending her prowess to the show this sea- son. A former "American Gladia- tors" star, Widerstrom has also been featured on "Access Hollywood Live" and 3V's "30-Second Fitness" shorts. Both trainers are certified through the National Association of Sports Medicine (NASM) and are more than ready to dive right in alongside Harper and fellow return- ing trainer Dolvett Quince. Harper, who's been on the show from the start, will actually be in a different position this time around. "The Biggest Loser" is taking a cue from "Survivor" this season and incorporating its own version of the latter's "Redemption Is- land" — which will come as a sur- prise to the contestants once it's initially put into play. When they're eliminated, con- testants won't be heading home, but they will instead be spirited off to "Comeback Canyon." Here they'll be met by Harper, whom they won't even have seen this season up to this point. The cast- offs' training will continue with Harper, and they'll participate in secret in a separate weekly weigh- in for the chance to come back into the competition with guns blazing later on in the season. Harper, for one, is looking for- ward to this new twist, not just for its entertainment value, but so that the castoffs — the earliest ones in particular — don't lose momentum in shedding pounds before they've even really started. "One of the worst parts of the whole show is when they go home, especially in the beginning, because it's almost like they didn't get a chance," he said in the "Zap2it" interview. "I think [Comeback Canyon] is going to come across as such a great and positive thing, and they're gonna have that moment of, 'Wow, I needed this second chance and now I'm really getting it.'" Bathing suit season may be coming to an end, but that won't stop the new batch of contenders on "The Biggest Loser" from hit- ting the gym. When "Glory Days" kicks off, 20 former jocks will be on the road to regaining their younger physiques and athleticism — and it sounds like it's going to be one heck of a workout. The 16th season of "The Biggest Loser" pre- mieres Thursday, Sept. 11, on NBC. The contestants in "The Biggest Loser" Tipping the scales Former athletes prepare to hit the gym in 'The Biggest Loser' Cover Story this week 001128330r1 "Your One-Stop, Locally-Owned Medical Supply Company." FREE Delivery in our service area! 8-5:30pm M-F, 9-12 Sat. 206 W. Washington, Tyrol Hills Center Brainerd 218-829-2100 BRAINERD MEDICAL SUPPLY We Process Medical Assistance, Medica, Blue Cross, Medicare and Most insurance. 24 Hour Emergency Oxygen Service Your Full Service CPAP/BIPAP Dealer Complete Inventory of Replacement Masks & Parts "Full Service Center" COMPLETE LINE OF DIABETIC SHOES & SUPPLIES Great Selection of Styles and colors. Certified fitters.Covered by most insurances. 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