by Gina Scarpa

This week, on The Biggest Loser, the contestants were thrown a serious twist when they found out that a double elimination would be taking place.  At the weigh in, the player who lost their lowest percentage of weight would fall below a red line and would be immediately sent home.  Daniel lost 5 pounds that week and it was not enough to keep him in the game.  With 1.92% lost, he fell below that dreaded red line and was eliminated on the spot.  Today, Daniel spoke to RealityWanted in an exclusive interview about coming back to The Biggest Loser for a second chance.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What brought you back to The Biggest Loser ranch this season?
A. Daniel: When I began my journey on Season 7, I knew just how far I had to go, and that even once I lost 100 pounds, I would still be obese!  Knowing this actually kept me from starting for a few years because the task seemed too impossible!  At the finale for Season 7, I was preparing for the year ahead by looking at my life and how I'd incorporate continued weight loss into it. The producers approached me and introduced a Second Chance themed season that would involve me getting a second chance at the show.  Needless to say, I jumped on it because it was the best opportunity to lose the next 100 pounds!

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How was your mindset different this time around, as opposed to the first time you were there?
A. Daniel: The second time around, I tried to stay in the background.  I struggled with whether I deserved to be there or not and that definitely played a part in my struggles with the scale and with binge eating.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was it about Shay that made you pick her to be your teammate? How do you think the two of you worked together?
A. Daniel: I picked Shay because she was the biggest one there. I didn't know her weight when I picked her but her size was much larger then the others and I instantly related.  I didn't want her to feel as alone as I felt on Season 7.  We worked really well together, both inspiring the other. With each other, Shay could look at the future and I could look at the past.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: There has been a lot of gameplay this season. What was your feeling on it?
A. Daniel: The gameplay didn't bother me if that's what it was.  But being malicious and splitting friendships and not owning your decisions makes me angry.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When did the house start to divide (you, Shay, Amanda, and Rebecca vs. Rudy, Allen, Liz, and Danny)?
A. Daniel: Early on actually! Shay, Amanda, Rebecca, Sean, Antoine, and I all became close friends early on.  Same with the others - the two groups hung out together and a divide naturally formed.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You had some tough weeks on the scale. Looking back on it, any insight into what may have been the problem?
A. Daniel: Emotional issues and binge eating. You can work out as long and hard and intense as you want but if your diet isn't good then the scale won't do what you want.  I was still secretly struggling with binge eating.  I'd deal with stress or internal issues by reaching for handfuls of cereal or cashews (high calorie) and was too ashamed that I was doing it to talk about it.  Later on, I did better because I developed an extremely close friendship that gave me the trust to share my issues and explore what I was dealing with.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Do you feel like the addition of the red line on this week’s episode put too much pressure on everyone?
A. Daniel: Definitely! Everyone went crazy that week.  It was one high stress time!

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How are you preparing for finale night?
A. Daniel: I'm focused on being as light as possible for myself.  I deserve to celebrate how hard I've worked and how much of an amazing opportunity God has given me through The Biggest Loser. Too many people look at The Biggest Loser as a competition, and I suppose it is; but I believe weight can sometimes be too much of a personal issue to compare your success to someone else.  I'm going to do my best, and if my best beats anyone else, then so be it! I'm out to beat me.


The Biggest Loser airs Tuesdays at 8pm ET on NBC.

(Image courtesy of NBC)


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