by Gina Scarpa

This week, on The Biggest Loser, Alison Sweeney dropped the bomb that two contestants would be headed home by the end of the episode - the one who fell below the red line and the one voted out against the other player that fell below the yellow line. First, Brenda lost the lowest percentage of weight and was immediately eliminated and then Mark was voted out when put up against Elizabeth. Today, we caught up with mark in an exclusive interview to find out about life on and after the ranch.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What made you decide to try out for The Biggest Loser?
A. Mark: I had a lot of stuff going on in my life all at the same time. It seemed as though the world was crashing around me. My father was undergoing cancer treatments. My grandmother was on her deathbed and I had lost my job as a financial advisor. I knew I had to change myself at that point

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was the toughest thing to adjust to when you first arrived at the ranch?
A. Mark: I actually had a fairly easy time adjusting to the ranch! My life was so hectic. I enjoyed the isolation and quiet I had there much of the time. It was refreshing

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was your mindset going into the final six when you heard that two people were going to be eliminated?
A. Mark: My mindset going into that week and for the entire week was to completely outwork everyone else there to insure I would be safe.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You consistently lost a lot of weight each week--what was your biggest motivator on the ranch?
A. Mark: My biggest motivation was to not disappoint my family and friends. They were there for me during my lowest lows and I wanted to do them proud by being a huge success when I got home.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What's the best lesson you're going to take away from your time on the ranch?
A. Mark: The best lesson I am going to take home is that I now know to believe in myself. Beforehand, it seemed as though I was just going through the motions of life and thought that's all I had to offer to the world. Now I know that there is nothing I can't do if I really dig deep and look within myself.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was your reaction when you fell below the yellow line with Elizabeth?
A. Mark: I was definitely nervous about falling below. I was the biggest threat around for a long time and even though I made some good friends on the ranch, I knew I had a risk of being eliminated.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Did you think Frado and Patrick were going to keep you around?
A. Mark: I was hoping Frado and Patrick were going to keep me around more than thinking it 100%. I felt as though they were like brothers to me and that would help my cause

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You said when you were voted out that you understood the decision of the players but did you understand? Did you feel betrayed?
A. Mark: I understand their decision, but that does not mean I was not hurt or didn't feel betrayed. I believe I deserved to be in the final four with them, given how hard I worked and the bonds that were formed, but I do understand

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What are you doing to keep the weight off at home?
A. Mark: I'm not doing anything crazy. Same thing I did at the ranch. I just try to be as consistent as possible with my workouts and my diet. It has been working well for me so far

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Do you have a goal for finale night?
A. Mark: My goal for finale is to lose more weight than any other contestant out there, finalist or not and to look darn good doing it!

The Biggest Loser airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC.

(Image courtesy of NBC)

Follow Gina @ginascarpa and David @davidmcalpine

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