by Gina Scarpa

 

When Danni Allen was left as the last member of her team this season on The Biggest Loser, there was major pressure on her to not only keep herself in the game, but her trainer Jillian Michaels as well. Though the two got off to a rocky start, they ended up becoming a "force to be reckoned with", as Danni put it. She went on to lose a total of 121 pounds and won the $250,000 grand prize by just a single pound. We talked to her about her journey to becoming The Biggest Loser and what lies ahead for her in an exclusive interview.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: There was a moment early on in the season, where Jillian was screaming at you to wake up and get a fire going underneath you. What were those first few weeks like for you at the ranch?
A. Danni: The first few weeks on the ranch was the hardest experience of my life. It was physically and emotionally brutal. It seemed like Jill was constantly yelling ALL the time. I didn't think I would make it. It wasn't til about Week 5 where Jill and I finally trusted each other and knew we would be a force to be reckoned with.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You were the sole member of Jillian's team for many weeks. Which players on other teams did you grow close with?
A. Danni: I grew really close with Gina and Francelina. Francelina was one of the hardest, if not the hardest, workers in the house. She and I were first in, last out in the gym. She is like a sister to me. And Mama Gina was always there to have my back.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: It was very clear that you were strong in challenges and could really run. Were you athletic growing up or is this something new for you?
A. Danni: In the beginning, I was not a runner but I wasn't ever going to back down. I was athletic my whole life. Soccer and water polo were my sports, but I never had the nutrition right and that was the hard part. The athleticism certainly came back plus!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: The face your fears episode had you in front of a crowd, singing in front of people. Do you have any plans to pursue a music career or is it more of a hobby?
A. Danni: I would love to pursue music, but just for me. It's something that makes me happy, not something to make me famous. I love the way singing makes me feel and I want to practice more too!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Was it tough to be disciplined once you got home from the ranch?
A. Danni: The first thing I did was make my apartment a safe zone! I needed to be strict, no room or time to waste. It was hard but I surrounded myself with people I knew would have my back when I had a week moment.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You looked amazing at the finale - not just thin, but extremely healthy and in shape. What types of workouts are your favorite to do?

A. Danni: I am a runner now! I run EVERY day minimum 6 miles. I also took spin classes at flywheel and swam to keep the cardio up. In the 6 weeks I was home, I ran over 200 miles and spun over one thousand!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When Alison told you how much weight you needed to lose in order to beat Jeff, how confident were you?
A. Danni: I knew it was going to be a close call. I set my goal at 140 and hoped that I had hi that, but 3 more? sounds small but that's big, I had my fingers crossed!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What's next for you?
A. Danni: EVERYTHING! I'm so excited to dream again and there are so many possibilities! I do want to run though so I think I'm going to pull a Forest Gump and Run across the nation. I have a 1/2 marathon set up at the Rock n Roll Nashville Marathon in April and Chicago Marathon, my first full, in October! I am so excited!

 

 

(Image courtesy of NBC)

 

Follow Gina @ginascarpa