by Gina Scarpa

 

When Conda stepped out onto the stage of The Biggest Loser finale a few weeks back, it was clear that she has not only transformed on the outside, but the inside as well. The one time drama queen had softened up and dropped over 100 pounds as well. Her brother Jeremy took home the $250,000 grand prize but it was just as big a victory for her as well. We caught up with Conda today in an exclusive interview to talk more about how she's changed, people's perceptions of her, and the relationships she formed along the way on The Biggest Loser.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You definitely went through the biggest personal transformation this season. What's the biggest change you notice about yourself?
A. Conda: The biggest change I notice about myself is me not allowing little things to get to me. I am happy with myself and this journey has taught me not to sweat the small stuff anymore.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: There was a lot of backlash from the viewers about you earlier in the season. Did you feel misunderstood?
A. Conda: I felt a little misunderstood but more so, I was just disappointed that all of the good qualities I have were not being shown. Was my attitude real? Absolutely! Was it constant? Not at all! There is a lot of unseen footage and I was far from a mean bully. It's too bad people didn't get to see me cooking for EVERYONE or keeping the ranch clean or more so just how much I cared about my fellow contestants.... all that wasn't what the show was about either, though.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You and Kim seemed close early on but later on, it appeared that you had grown apart. Is that just the way it came across on TV?
A. Conda: Kim and I were very close on the ranch; she often referred to me as her little sister. We were close all the way through the end. No friendship is perfect but we share a great bond throughout our journeys. I look forward to keeping in touch with her!!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Jeremy was determined to not only make it to the finale, but help get you there too. How did the show strengthen your relationship with him?
A. Conda: Jeremy and I wanted to be in the finale together, of course. It was our main goal. He did help me along the way and I also helped him. That's what siblings do. He was very generous and giving to me and he has been my whole life. I am a very lucky sister. We share an even stronger lifelong bond now.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When Mark and Buddy left the show and Jeremy fell below the red line, how were you feeling, emotionally, at that point?
A. Conda: I felt really bad at that point. I know how bad he wanted that spot as a finalist, and my fingers were crossed the whole time he was on the scale because I was hoping it was me to fall below, not him. I would have given my spot up for him any day! I said something I regretted to Kim and apologized during that same weigh-in, I was just very emotional and upset for my brother.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was the toughest part about your transition home from the ranch?
A. Conda: It was not tough at all! I was so happy to be home with my daughter. It took about four days to get on a regular schedule for workouts but after that, everything about being home was great.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You looked amazing at the finale and lost well over 100 pounds! What tips or advice can you give people for maintaining that weight?
A. Conda: Thank you, I feel great. I am working on maintaining my weight now just by sticking to that same schedule, fitting in time to work out, and sticking to a good diet.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How do you feel about Jeremy's win?
A. Conda: I am SO HAPPY Jeremy won! I felt, no matter what happened that night, everyone would be happy because we have all earned our lives back through hard work and believing in ourselves. I hope everyone felt amazing that night!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What's next for you?
A. Conda: Next for me is staying focused, enjoying time with my daughter and reaching out and helping people. I have had an incredible journey that I would love to share with others.

 

(Image courtesy of NBC)

 

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