by Gina Scarpa

 

On the live season finale of The Biggest Loser, it came down to Patrick, Frado, and Ada for the win. Though others lost a higher total weight loss percentage in battle for The Biggest Loser At Home, Patrick defeated Ada and Frado by dropping from 400 pounds down to 219. He leaves the show $250,000 richer and with a newfound sense of confidence and purpose. Today, we caught up with Patrick in an exclusive interview about his journey on The Biggest Loser and what lies ahead for him.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was the wakeup call that made you realize you needed The Biggest Loser?
A. Patrick: One thing that a factor for me was that in October of 2009, I took my boys to the Mississippi State Fair. I really wanted to ride some of the rides with my boys. I don't know what I was thinking, being 400 pounds and trying to go on these rides. When I got there, I realized it was impossible and my wife had to ride all the rides. I saw what I was missing out on. In January I lost my job and The Biggest Loser rolled around in March. The rest, as they say, is history.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: There were fans who felt there was too much gameplay in the house this season. How do you feel about the way your alliance played the game?
A. Patrick: I feel like there is gameplay in every season of The Biggest Loser. Our season was no different. At the same time, I was there for myself and my family. I had to do what would put me in the best position to win. At times, that came down to voting out threats. At the end of everything, I go home proudly to my wife and boys. I don't go home to live with Mark! I needed this money really bad. Losing my job, I've been borrowing money from friends and family.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When Jesse was eliminated, he felt that you particularly had betrayed him. Have the two of you patched things up?
A. Patrick: Oh, we definitely have! Jesse and I have hung out since then. We realized that we're there to change our lives and it is a game. There's strategy involved and he and I have hashed it out and buried the hatchet.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was the toughest part about the transition from the ranch back into your personal life?
A. Patrick: One of the hardest things about being at home is just trying to work on portion control. I was really fortunate that I won 40 weeks of The Biggest Loser Meal Plan. I had that delivered to my house. It's really good food prepared by chefs. You don't have to waste time measuring your food. It saved time. That was really important and key. Portion control is extremely important. That's actually the first blog I'm going to write about on my website, biggestloserpatrick.com - holiday weight loss and portion control.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What did you do to prepare for the live finale?
A. Patrick: I had a great routine when I was at home. I was going to the gym in the morning from 8-11:3- or 12. I would put my kids down for a nap and then I would go back after lunch and get a couple more hours of cardio in with my wife. It helped me to stay focused.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Of the final four, who did you think had the best chance of beating you?
A. Patrick: Of the final four, I was most concerned about Frado. He and I had the weight to lose. Ada, by the time we got to the end, was in great shape and very thin and muscular. It was just gonna be tough for Ada to win. I knew Frado would be my competition.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When you stepped on the scale on the finale, you must have known that you had won. What was going through your mind?
A. Patrick: I knew what I lost when I left home. If my weight was true to that, I knew I would win. It was just that nervewracking moment. I dreamed about that confetti falling on me since the beginning!

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Many Biggest Loser contestants go on to become trainers and personal speakers. Do you have plans to pay it forward?
A. Patrick: I do! The job that I've accepted relocates me to South Carolina. I'm working at a school, Mindstream Academy, for overweight teens. I partnered with the school and we're going to be working together. I'm going to be a role model and a mentor to kids with weight issues. I'll be able to help them out. I've walked in their shoes and I've been successful. My foundation, the Patrick House Foundation, is offering scholarship for any kids that enroll in the academy. That's going to be really exciting!

(Image courtesy of NBC)

Follow Gina @ginascarpa

 

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