Biggest 'Biggest Loser' contestant ever says he's a changed man

Last year, Michael Ventrella of Bartlett realized he had a big problem.

The heaviest-ever contestant on "The Biggest Loser" (7 p.m., WMAQ-Ch. 5) said his late-night lifestyle as a DJ left him with little time to sleep or eat properly, and family stresses contributed to emotional eating. By the time Ventrella, 31, joined the cast of the current edition of the weight-loss show along with his mother, Maria, his weight tipped the scales at 526 pounds.

But so far, so good. "The person I was before -- that person doesn't exist any more," said Ventrella, who spoke to the Tribune in a recent phone interview about what led him to "The Biggest Loser" and what he's learned since he's been part of the show, which began filming in September.

QHad you been a fan of "The Biggest Loser"? How did you become involved in the show?

AI had never watched the show, and, until recently, I didn't even know that the show was still airing. But one of my buddies was working with a trainer, and he was really worried for me and my health. He asked his trainer, "Could you give my buddy a free assessment, maybe give him some workout tips to help him lose weight?" So I met up with the trainer and he said, "For a big guy, you're built very well. Have you ever thought of auditioning for 'The Biggest Loser'? I know they're having auditions in Chicago soon."

I'm the kind of person that, once I become interested in something, I research it like crazy. So I watched the Season 7 episodes that were still on NBC.com, and I was thinking: "This looks like so much fun. I could totally do this."


QSince you've been on the show, have you ever said to yourself, "This thing they're asking me to do is too hard?" Have you ever had moments of self-doubt?

AI always have those moments. It's inevitable, we're all human. But I have (trainers) Bob (Harper) and Jillian (Michaels), who have so much faith in me. From all the small successes I've had so far, it's only proven to me that, yeah, I can do anything. I've always been the kind of person who tries anything twice. And once I began, I realized, "OK, I'm not dying when I'm exerting myself. I'll just do my best."


QContestants get a lot of encouragement and support when they're at the "Biggest Loser" ranch, but do you think you'll be able to continue the healthy habits in your daily life when you're not there?

ADefinitely. This wasn't just a temporary fix. It was a life change. The person I was before -- that person doesn't exist any more. Part of me was gone at the first weigh-in, when I saw how much weight I lost the first week. Since then, I've been quickly progressing into this new person. All the things I've learned have become second nature, and I can't see going back to who I was before.


QWhat were some of those habits that led you to the place where you ended up -- what was the lifestyle that made you think you needed to go on the show?

AFirst, I'm a DJ and I work at night, so I'm up until the early morning, and then I come home and I have family matters to address. I have a disabled dad and I have a grandmother who is in a wheelchair. I have duties to attend to with my family. It got overwhelming. After taking care of everybody, I had no time to take care of myself. I was not taking care of myself -- not realizing, "Wow, I spent the whole day in the car, I ate fast food the whole day because I wasn't home, I am not getting proper sleep." And the job I had didn't provide health insurance, so I never had my sleep apnea treated. These are little things but they all built up -- they built up to 526 pounds. It came to the point where I couldn't even sit in the DJ booth anymore. It was bad.

Second, I am the kind of person who likes to stay away from drama or not address a situation. I would bundle things up inside and they would just eat at me. I was an emotional eater. I've learned all my vices, and I've learned to listen to my body when it says, "I'm thirsty or hungry."


QIt sounds as if you don't have regrets about doing the show.

ANot at all. It's been a blessing. Here's the chance for me to work on myself and pay it forward. Hopefully I can be an inspiration for people who might think they're so overweight that there's no hope for them. I can tell all those people that there is hope.


QWhat's it been like to do the show with your mom?

AAmazing. My mom is not just my mother, she's one of my best friends. We do things together. We go to the movies, we hang out, we talk. To be able to do all these things (on the show) together, it's only going to strengthen the bond we already have. She's just so much fun.


QIs it a little more stressful, though, because you don't want to let her down?

AI think it's the opposite. My mom came here for me. In the beginning, she didn't really realize that this was an opportunity for her to shine. My mom is private, she's quiet. But then I think it clicked for her -- "Yeah, I do need to take care of myself." The one thing I definitely picked up from my mom is drive. There were times where I was like, "I want to quit, I can't do any more" and I look over, and she's on that treadmill like a cheetah. And I'd be like, "I need to go faster!"