If you aren’t inspired by Patrick House’s story, you need to check your pulse. Morbidly obese, House (who even titled his autobiography Big As A House), had an epiphany. One day he could barely get onto the floor to play with his two children. He realized he might not live long enough to see them grow up. House struggled with a series of health issues like high cholesterol, high blood pressure and was suffering from sleep apnea. He was pre-diabetic. He was eating and sitting his way into an early grave.
Then he took a leap of faith and joined the cast of The Biggest Loser.
Two hundred and eighteen pounds later, House was named the winner of season 10. He was blessed with more than just fame, health and wealth. He got his life back.
But that’s not the most incredible part of his story. House could have gone to the house and eaten his way back to obesity. But instead, he decided to help others. Not only has he gotten in even better shape, run marathons, inspired bullied kids, he’s now helping the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians tackle their own obesity issues. And on a personal note, he challenged me to lose 50 pounds (which I did). Patrick House was given a gift. And instead of hoarding it, he has shared it with others.
He did that by making good choices. He took personal responsibility. He could have blamed McDonalds or Krispy Kreme for his obesity. But instead, he looked into the mirror and held the big man he saw responsible. He changed a habit. And that new habit has changed him. The changed Patrick House is now helping others.
So many of the Biggest Loser contestants fall back onto the Chuck Wagon, regaining the weight (or worse.) Not Patrick. He’s one of the few former contestants the producers can call back onto the show. He’s more fit now than he was at the end of the show.
Patrick House is a bigger man than I am — not physically but in heart. He took his blessing and continues to pay it forward.
That’s what we do in Mississippi. You can take that to the House.