by Gina Scarpa

 

On last week's season finale of The Biggest Loser, Ashley Johnston was the last woman standing in the final four. She earned her spot in the final three, along with Daris George and Michael Ventrella, and was convinced that she could beat the boys on the scale. When she weighed in, she lost almost 49% of her body weight, finishing in second place. Today, she spoke to RealityWanted in an exclusive interview about her experiences on the show, how she felt about the outcome, and her advice for people who want to begin their own weight loss journey.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Whose idea was it to go on The Biggest Loser?

A. Ashley: It was my idea! I actually had to convince my mom that she needed it too!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What made you want to do it?

A. Ashley: I wanted to go on the show because I was so over being unhappy and unable to participate in life. I had hit my rock bottom and couldn't get out! I had tried everything and failed! I was ready to expose myself to America in order to accomplish this goal once and for all!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: On the finale, they showed the clip of you falling off the treadmill on the first day. Tell us a little bit about your journey to becoming an athlete.

A. Ashley: Oh my gosh, that clip will forever haunt me!  Actually, it is a great thing for me to watch because it reminds me just how far I have come! You know, day one was awful for me and as the weeks went by, I started to realize that I was a strong woman and I could do so much more than I was willing to give myself credit for.  I started to feel mentally strong, and then physically strong, and I feel like I just took flight.  My most important part of my journey of becoming an athlete was believing in myself.  I know it sounds so cheesy but truly, I found that if I mentally became strong, my body was starting to follow! The mind is a incredible, powerful tool!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What is your relationship like with Bob and Jillian?

A. Ashley: My relationship with Bob was very caring and loving.  I had been injured several times during the show and that's when Bob really took me under his wing and supported me.  I will forever be grateful to him for that! Jill and I, from day one, had a special relationship.  We went from her kicking me out of the gym day one to her supporting me and helping me in any way she could.  She just wanted me to find myself and realize the strength she saw in me the whole time.  She helped me find that in myself. I just love her to death!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What's the most important thing you learned from them?

A. Ashley: From Bob, I learned to find inner peace and to tap into that inner strength as a woman! Jillian helped me unravel years of pent up pain and helped me learn that I could help past wounds and look forward to my new strong independent me!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: At what point in the competition did it dawn on you that you could possibly win this thing?

A. Ashley: Oh my gosh, it took a while! I struggled with that fact that I was a strong woman who could sneak up and win the whole thing.  I will say that I had alot of help not only from Bob and Jill, but my housemates as well.  Koli was the one who actually pulled me aside and said to me that I could win this whole thing.  It was with the help of him and my own healing that I started to see that I was the pink ninja and was really going to sneak up and win!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What were some of the challenges that you faced when you transitioned home to prepare for the finale?

A. Ashley: Being at home really is the true challenge! Home is reality! I struggled with balance! Ive always been a people pleaser and I wanted to please my friends and family by spending time with them, but I had to find a balance in life with my stick workout schedule to quality time with friends and family! I was able to succeed at home and that I am the most proud of!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How proud of your mom were you when you watched her step on the scale at the finale?

A. Ashley: My tiny little beautiful momma! She just glows now!! I could not be more proud of her! I think everybody underestimated both of us! She is definitely a force to be reckoned with!

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You seemed very confident that you could beat the boys. How do you feel with the end result and Michael winning?

A. Ashley: I can not be sad about the end result.  I truly WON!  I won my life back, i did what I came to the ranch to do! I never came to the show for a paycheck! I desperately wanted to actually live my life and now more than ever that's exactly what I am doing.  I am so happy for mikie! He and I will always share a special bond and I can't be more proud of him today!

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What will you remember most about your time on the ranch?

A. Ashley: I will never forget where I started. I constantly remind myself just how far I have come just to keep myself grounded and in check.  I will always remember all the mile stones I was able to reach in my life while on the ranch, and what a wild, fun, exciting ride it truly was.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What do you have to say to people who have thought about starting their own weight loss journey but feel scared?

A. Ashley: Life starts NOW!  You cant start this journey fast enough.  Get your life back just like I did.  The first step is to believe in yourself and be so open for change.  It's time to get serious about how you got to the weight you are now.  Start on the inside and the outside will for sure follow.  You CAN do it!

 

 

(Image courtesy of NBC)

 

 

Follow Gina at twitter.com/ginascarpa

 

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