by Gina Scarpa

 

Dolvett has certainly had his hands full this season of The Biggest Loser. Surrounded by gameplay and drama, he has worked to get his team members to appreciate the opportunity that they've been given to change their lives. It seems perhaps they've finally reached that point. Makeover Week continues tonight at the White House and the contestants are seeing just how far they've really come. We talked to Dolvett in an exclusive interview about the contestants, the toughest elimination, and the challenge of making it through the final home stretch to the finale.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What's been the biggest challenge for you as a trainer this season?
A. Dolvett: I had some amazing personalities in the first season, who adapted to change. In my second season, talk about attitude! Just a lot of gameplay, and a lot of attitude was involved this season. People really took for granted the blessing that was in front of them. A lot of people, a lot of your readers, would love to get the opportunity to train, to be on the show, and to help themselves.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: In a season of No Excuses, there sure are a LOT of excuses! How tough is it for these contestants to let go of all the reasons they got to the weight that they are in the first place?
A. Dolvett: They didn't get obese by accident. It's not going to be an easy journey by any means. You have to chip away to get to the core. It's very difficult for them to accept the change. You're away from your normality, your wife, your kids, your family, your job, and you're put on the ranch with just crazy me and crazy Bob. You're forced to be in pain most of the time that you're there.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: One of the biggest hot button issues with viewers this season was Adrian and Daphne. What was your opinion of the way they were treated?
A. Dolvett: My opinion is this. Any time anyone walks into a house like that, it's very difficult for them to be accepted immediately. There are people who have created bonds. Here you are, an outsider trying to come into the house. As far as Daphne and Adrian's approach, I think they went about it wrong. They didn't come in it humble. Adrian had all the answers and I think he talked himself out of acceptance. It was really difficult for them. They're two wonderful, family driven people, and I wish them the most success.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Whose elimination was the toughest for you?
A. Dolvett: The toughest one is coming up and I can't say who. But the toughest one is definitely coming up. The most surprising one would probably have been Lauren, very early on. I was surprised that her team booted her off. I think my team didn't really know what they were doing very early on. I think it was all emotional. They kept Nancy, the grandmother, and didn't keep Lauren who was a strong competitor.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Makeover Week, so far, has been amazing. All of the contestants look awesome. Is that when it really hits the contestants just how much their bodies have changed?
A. Dolvett: It hits them like a ton of bricks! It's like, "Wait a second! Who is this?" They get to soak in the moment and see that hard work pays off in the long run. For them to see the reactions of their families... what an emotional, great moment. I'll never forget watching Kim's son hug his mom.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Let's talk about some of the people still left in the game. So far, no one has seemed to notice what a threat Jeremy and Conda are together on the ranch. Why do you think that is?
A. Dolvett: I think they're both extremely savvy with the way that they interact with groups of people. Conda has a way of seeing the moment and manipulating it to her advantage. She's a crafty chess player, let me tell you. Jeremy is just a likeable guy so I think they use their skill sets to their advantage.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Kim is such a fighter and it seems like she's determined not to be eliminated. Tell us a little about your opinion of her this season.
A. Dolvett: You know, it's something extremely great to watch when you have a woman that's a fighter. She's a single mother of three, former wrestler. She came across a bit harsh in the beginning and brash. Then, as she started to expose the softness of her personality and the appreciation of where she was, you started to root for her more. She's not too mushy and she's not too hard. She had the right balance that I needed to continue to root for her and train her.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: As the contestants get closer to their goal weights, what's going to be the toughest part about the home stretch for them?
A. Dolvett: The toughest part is continuing to find a way to lose weight, trying not to hit that wall.

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of NBC)

 

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