by Gina Scarpa

 

On the season 8 finale of The Biggest Loser last month, contestant Shay Sorrells was surprised with the news that her weight loss journey with the show had not ended quite yet.  Subway challenged her to weigh in at the season 9 finale and would reward with her with $1,000 for every pound she loses.  Tonight, the newest season premieres on NBC and we’ll be hearing about Shay’s journey along the way as we watch a crop of new contestants shed the pounds with trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels.  Today, Shay spoke to RealityWanted in an exclusive interview and updated us on how things have been going for this fan favorite.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Let’s go back to the season 8 finale when you were brought to the center of the stage and told that your weight loss journey with The Biggest Loser was not over yet.  What immediately went through your mind?
A. Shay: Holy crap?!  I mean, I knew it wasn’t the end whether I got that check or not.  I was 304 pounds.  I knew my journey wasn’t over.  I thought it might be a little slower than it is now.  There’s nothing wrong with that.  My goal is still the same: live a healthy life.  I don’t have a number on that or anything looming over me.  I think there’s just a bigger bonus at the end.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Did you accomplish the weight loss goal that you set for yourself for the finale or did you go into it without too many expectations?
A. Shay: I tried my best not to fall into the whole number game and expectations.  Of course, at 304, you’re like, “299 would’ve been nice!”  At the same time, I had lost 172 pounds.  Coming home, I knew I wasn’t in the running to win and I was okay with that.  That was never my goal.  I wanted to live my life with this new information.  I had accomplished so much and I had won a huge prize of just learning to live my life.  I was so proud of that number.  I had done what I had.  172 pounds is phenomenal. 

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Does the prize for you at the end of this season motivate you more to continue losing weight or would you continued with or without it?
A. Shay: With or without, I would’ve continued.  I refuse to just look at it as a check at the end because I’m gaining a much bigger prize.  This is my life and I want to do it the healthy way.  I want to look people in the eye and say how much I’ve lost and live my life.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Do Bob and Jillian still help you and do you have your own support system going at home as well?
A. Shay: I’ve formed my own support system.  I do go to Bob’s spin class when he’s teaching.  Bob and Jillian are such wonderful people.  I texted them on Christmas and said, “You guys are some of the greatest Christmas presents.”  That was my Christmas gift this year.  It was amazing and I hold to that.  I have to say yes, they’re part of my journey, but I have five trainers at home and I have my Street Striders.  I’m just cruisin’ down the road in Newport Beach and people are screaming at me.  It’s really fun. 

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Speaking of people recognizing you, you really struck a chord with fans.  What has the reaction been like when you’re out since the finale?
A. Shay: Since the finale, it’s been great.  I’m visiting here in Omaha, Nebraska for work.  I was in Whole Foods and people recognize me.  I’m in Omaha and people recognize me!  I’m halfway across the country!  People have been really great.  It’s not whether you have 5 pounds to lose or 500.  A journey is a journey.  Sometimes, the mental weight that you have to carry can be heavier than the physical weight.  I always try to encourage people on their weight loss.  We’re all trying to do our best.  I think we shouldn’t look at the numbers. 

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: I saw that, because of this season, you are no longer the heaviest contestant on The Biggest Loser.  What advice do you have for the heaviest contestants?  That must be a tough title to have.
A. Shay: There are 3 contestants that were heavier than me.  Mike is 526 pounds.  It’s a different journey on that ranch when you’re the heaviest contestant.  You’re gasping for air every day… literally.  You are just fighting for your life.  The prize is so far from your mind.  You just want to live.  It can be very lonely because you are different than everyone there.  You’re doing what you can to change your circumstance and move forward.  I had the opportunity to meet some of the contestants and I told them to learn everything they could while they were on the ranch.  If you don’t really learn the lessons that they provide you at the ranch, it can all backfire.  We’ve seen that with (season 3 winner) Erik Chopin.  He’s a great person and a lot of great things happened in his life.  To gain all that weight back and come out in public and lose it again, that’s possible and that’s the key.  It’s a daily fight.

 

The Biggest Loser Season 9 premieres tonight at 8pm ET on NBC.

 

(Image courtesy of NBC)

 

SEE ALSO

The Biggest Loser Season 9: Season Preview

 

Follow Gina at twitter.com/ginascarpa

 

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