Schell Brothers Biggest Loser: A decade of results and still going strong

Every February it’s transformation season, and company members from Schell Brothers compete to see who can get in the best shape and lose the most body fat. I have been hosting this contest for more than 10 years, and I can say that each year’s results are better than the last, and the culture of fitness has grown by leaps and bounds. This year we have our largest group yet, as 68 people have entered the contest. A total of 36 decided to train with my company individually and complete my 12-week body transformation program.

Those who train with us will be subjected to a rigorous routine that starts with learning how to eat a proper diet, and includes customized weight training and cardio designed for each participant’s individual needs. There are two main divisions in which employees can chose to compete. The first is the best before-and-after pictures to be judged by a panel of secret judges, while the second is overall body fat loss. 

The best before-and-after pictures are based on the most dramatic transformation, and prizes will be awarded in the amounts of $3,500 for first place, $2,500 for second and $1,500 for third. The overall body fat loss category requires participants to test in the Bod Pod at the beginning and end of the contest. The top two people who lose the most overall body fat will be the winners. But in order to take home the prize money, they must prove that they have maintained their results by Bod Pod testing monthly and staying within 2 percent of their final lowest body fat. If they can do this, they will receive $500 and $250 monthly for up to 12 months. Last year’s first- and second-place winners Mark Moore and Adam Pettengell have both have stayed in shape and have collected their payments since last June. This year, we will crown new champions, and I can’t wait to see who takes home the prize money.

More important than the prize money, this contest has taught numerous people how to integrate a healthy lifestyle into a busy working schedule. Many of the people who have participated in the past have completely changed their lives and their physical appearance, and have maintained their results or are in even better shape today. Jill Burton started training with us six years ago and has since lost 54 pounds, and she is still in the best shape of her life at 115 pounds and 22 percent body fat. Dana Duquette initially lost 48 pounds with my 12-week program, and two years later, he reached his ultimate goal of 85 pounds and never went back to the way he was before this program. Jeff Anemone used the program to get shredded, and a decade later, he still looks just as good as the day he finished. Mark Moore has achieved one of the lowest body fat percentages at 5 percent that we have ever recorded. He has won the contest multiple times and is last year’s defending champion.  

These are just a few examples of what has been accomplished with this contest, and I’m looking forward to adding a few more names and before-and-after pictures to the list of people who have changed their health and their lives by entering the competition and completing my 12-week body transformation. The only question is: Who will it be this year? Stay tuned. I’ll be announcing the new winners at the end of May.