by Gina Scarpa

 

For years, TC Pool dreams of making it onto The Biggest Loser. He tried out several times and came close, but never made it onto the ranch. TC showed, though, that determination pays off and Alison Sweeney announced in the Season 14 premiere that he had finally gotten onto the show. His joy and excitement was short lived, and he fell below the red line at the very first weigh-in and was sent home. We talked to TC today about the ups and downs of being on The Biggest Loser and how the show has dramatically changed his life.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You tried out several times for The Biggest Loser before finally making it. What kept bringing you back to try out again?
A. TC: I think what kept me motivated was that I made it pretty far several times so I always felt like I really had a chance. I really wanted to lose the weight. Throughout the process, I had lost some weight and gained some weight. I never lost hope that I could be on it.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: And why did you feel that The Biggest Loser was the thing that you needed in order to get healthy?
A. TC: It was watching the finale of the show or even before that, makeover week, seeing how their families reacted. I wanted that feeling of accomplishment. One thing that really touched me was Koli from season 9, his change.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Usually, the contestants do a competition in order to be able to choose their trainer but this season, you were just placed onto teams. How did you feel about being teamed up with Jillian?
A. TC: I thought that they did it on purpose. I remember in my interview, I said, "The one person I don't want is Jillian." I just know how tough she was. It was harder than I expected but I went in with a preconceived notion, that she would come in with a vengeance. I went in a little bit scared, actually. I was maybe more worried than I should've been.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: She was definitely tough this season, especially early on, throwing people out of the gym. Usually when trainers do that, it's because someone isn't giving their all or being dramatic or defiant. What were you feeling during that first workout?
A. TC: Well, I went til I couldn't go anymore. My legs were out, I had low blood pressure, and I wasn't doing well. When she kicked me out, I was already down for the count. I was on the ground for quite a while before I was able to get up.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Your team got off to a rough start with Nikki quitting. How did you feel when she left?
A. TC: We were shocked and it was very unfortunate. It happened really fast. She was doing her workout and then she was gone. We really wanted her to push through. We hoped we would win the weigh-in.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: If there had been a yellow line, what would you have said to your team to convince them that you deserved to stay?
A. TC: I would just talk to the team about how I'm on an upswing. I would've said how I felt, that I thought I had a breakthrough, and that I could help the team.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What is the biggest change that you feel you went through while at the ranch?
A. TC: I notice that in the past, usually when things get tough, I would just give up. On the ranch, what Jillian did for me was realize how bad I want this for myself because I had to make that decision. Am I going to just quit or am I going to go 100% into this? Now when I wake up every day, I think, "What do I want?" I want to be healthy and I want to feel good about myself. When I get home from work, instead of watching tv, do I want to play with my kids? Do I want to do something more active? Now, that's just how it is. That's a huge change. And our family dynamic has changed. I'm not feeling guilty, I feel like my wife and I are more of a team, and I want to work harder.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: The finale is coming soon enough! What are you doing to work for that at home prize?
A. TC: Well, I'm very committed! I'm really looking forward to that. That's what drew me into The Biggest Loser. I want this feeling of showing all the hard work, and showing the culmination of that. The $100,000 I really want to win but I'm focusing on myself. I can't control how much other people lose or don't lose.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: I bet that you are dying to get back on the ranch. Are you hoping for some twist that gives you a shot at getting back in the competition?
A. TC: Oh, I would love to get back on and work more with Jillian. I feel like she didn't get to see enough of me. I got in one workout that she could be proud of. There's not an ounce of me that wants to stay at home. I gotta keep working hard like that's not going to happen though.

 

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of NBC)

 

Follow Gina @ginascarpa