Wednesday I went to the doctor for a long needed check-up. Beside my weight he said I am in great physical health and that I really needed to start making way toward losing this weight. He broke the math down on me like this:

I weighed 180 pounds last in 2000.

I have gained 18 lbs. per year since then.

That equals 1.5 lbs. per month.

There are 3500 calories per lb. of human fat.

That means I am using 5250 extra calories a month or 170 extra calories a day.

All I have to do is trim 170 calories a day and I stop gaining weight. No big deal right?

THAT”S NOT THE GOAL HERE PEOPLE! Get with it, huh?

We started talking about my diet and he said it needed to change. I asked him for some good resources and he mentioned the Biggest Loser TV Show website. He stopped. He kind of looked at me sideways and said, “You know… sitting here talking to you … you have the personality for it, you have an athletic background, you want to be in shape, and you’re perfectly healthy beside your weight, you should apply to be on the show. You’re exactly what they are looking for.”

Ok… 

Anyway, I was driving home with Stokes and I told her all of this not at all thinking of trying out for the fat folks TV show.

Flash ahead, I am at a bible study with some guys from church and I am telling them how much I liked this doctor and how he wants me to show up once a week for a weigh-in to keep me accountable and I tell them about what he said regarding the TV show. Kyle says, “Aren’t they coming to town next week? Within two minutes my phone beeps … its Stokes – “Kid, June 28th at Louisville Athletic Club is casting call for Biggest Loser … but they are looking for teams of two.”

I told her to sign me up. Within two days I filled out the ten page application, and filmed, edited, and produced a ten minute audition video and I was ready to go.

6:45 am Saturday I show up at the site and there are already lots of folks in line. 

By 11:30 I am walking to the table for the interview. They interviewed us ten at a time … Name, where are you from, what do you do, how old are you. Are you discriminated at work because of your size? What is your motivation for being here?

Dan. Louisville, Orlando, Jersey Shore. Sales Rep. 34. Sometimes by customers. I want to wear my wedding ring again.

Interview’s over as fast as it began. He tells us they will be doing callbacks over the next couple of days for second interviews in front of the camera. He thanks us and sends us on our way. As I am walking away the producer cuts me off. He says, “You can’t find a partner? No one? A friend, co-worker, family member?” 

I told him Stokes and I wanted to but we’re not leaving our kids with anyone for five months. He understood.

Again, “No one?

I have a guy in mind. He is a former co-worker but he just took a job in Illinois and I don’t know what he would think. 

At this point he starts walking back to the table as we are talking. He starts shuffling the applications and pictures together and stops, takes mine from the middle and places it on top. I see this and my mind starts racing.

Should I give you a call if he’s interested?

“No, look into it and we’ll figure it out if we give you a call back.”

And that was it. I don’t know how to take him grilling me over a partner or moving my picture but there has been no call yesterday and none so far today. I’m giving it until tomorrow then I am sending my info in with a note to the guy I spoke with hoping he’ll remember me.

This all seems crazy to me because I was thrust into all of this opportunity with no desire of my own for it. Now, I am really excited. It would be really hard to be away from my family for five months but the opportunity to focus and really apply this type of change to my life would be invaluable. 

I pray that God would hear my prayers regarding this incredible privilege and opportunity. More important if I am not meant to go I pray that he will overwhelm me with His Spirit so that next year when they come back for auditions, I won’t need to apply again.

Thanks for your support, I love you guys!