Category: biggest loser 17

John Crutchfield
Age: 30
Height: 6’5″
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Occupation: Sr. Marketing Manager
Partner: James (Twin Brother)

NBC Bio
John’s family is very close and a number of deaths in the family both past and recent continue to bind his family even closer. John no longer wants to use his family tragedies as an excuse to be overweight and wants more than anything to lose weight so he can be there for his family. Just knowing what it feels like to lose family members, makes John want to try even harder so his wife and child never have to feel that pain. He has lost 160 pounds in the past but gained back nearly 200 in a short period of time. His competitive side alone makes him want to lose even more weight than before and keep it off for good! John loves to compete against his twin brother and looks forward to competing with him.

Lance Morgan
Age: 38
Height: 6’3″
Hometown: Aspermont, TX
Occupation: Rancher
Partner: Melissa (Wife)

NBC Bio
Lance comes from a rural Texas farming and ranching family and was raised on meat and potatoes. Taught at a young age to finish everything on his plate, his conditioning as a child has followed him into adulthood and he cannot leave food on his plate, or anyone else’s. With a booming oil industry in 2004, Lance was in high demand as a commercial diver. The industry began to tighten up its standards and Lance continued to gain weight, soon finding himself out of a job. Lance’s weight has hindered his ability to earn income to support his family. Lance has the strength, stamina and determination to win the battle with his weight and begin to live a happy and healthy lifestyle, but he needs guidance on how to lose the weight.

Melissa Morgan
Age: 39
Height: 5’6″
Hometown: Aspermont, TX
Occupation: Attorney
Partner: Lance (Husband)

NBC Bio
In her late teens and early twenties, Melissa was mostly healthy while actively involved in softball and daily workouts. Then she got married and packed on a full 40 pounds during the first three years of marriage, adding another 20 following the birth of her children. During law school, Melissa chose to eat out, rather than prepare healthy meals for her family. When it comes to her clients and the courtroom, Melissa lets nothing stand in her way. Yet, when it comes to the gym, Melissa finds every excuse not to go. Losing weight will help Melissa obtain a life-long goal and develop a new lifestyle of fitness. Melissa’s tenacity and sheer determination provide the mental capability to achieve her weight-loss goal, but she needs help making the most of her emotional and physical capabilities as well.

Patti Anderson
Age: 55
Height: 5’6″
Hometown: Lafayette, CA
Occupation: Business Owner
Partner: Stephanie (Daughter)

NBC Bio
Patti remembers with sadness the song playmates sang about her: “Patti fatty two by four, can’t fit through the bathroom door!” Although she put on a brave face with smiles and laughter, she was ashamed and broken-hearted. Patti’s father died suddenly at age 55 and she was completely devastated. Patti is fearful that if she does not get her weight under control now, at the same age her father died, she will put her daughters in the same position. Patti wants to finally be the woman her husband deserves: healthy, energetic and fit. As the president/owner of a company in an industry dominated by men, Patti’s determination and tenacity has been necessary to be successful.

Stephanie Anderson
Age: 29
Height: 5’8″
Hometown: West Hollywood, CA
Occupation: Radio Sales Executive
Partner: Patti (Mother)

NBC Bio
Having always been ambitious and driven, Stephanie works hard in a high-pressure job and uses her long hours and social outings as an excuse not to work out and be healthy. She also uses work as a reason for not having time to be in a serious relationship, when in reality she is afraid to put herself out there to be judged and possibly rejected. No stranger to a diet, she has never been able to get a grip on her weight. Stephanie was once a dancer and cheerleader and knows there is an athlete ready to emerge from within. Stephanie is ready to prove once and for all that she can lose the weight and keep it off.

Koli Palu
Age: 29
Height: 6’1″
Hometown: Rohnert Park, CA
Occupation: Football Coach/Head of Security
Partner: Sam (Cousin)

NBC Bio
With Koli’s Tongan roots, it seems that his culture has given him an excuse to be big and not worry about his weight. There are expectations that are put on Koli because of his weight: he is expected to eat more than everyone else, and he is the first person everyone calls when they need help moving. Koli works as a high school football coach in the day and is head of security during the night shift. This makes it hard to work out and causes him to eat at odd hours. Koli has grown up playing many sports and understands the importance of healthy living. He is very involved in athletics and wants to continue coaching where he can be a role model for young men. The first step to this dream in his life is being healthy and getting in shape.

Sam Poueu
Age: 24
Height: 6’4″
Hometown: Rohnert Park, CA
Occupation: Youth Football Coach/Security Guard
Partner: Koli (Cousin)

NBC Bio
Sam was born in 1985 on the tiny island of American Samoa. At eight months of age, his uncle and aunt, who live in the States, adopted Sam. Growing up in a Samoan family, being big was normal. There were always numerous family gatherings and plenty of food. Sam now works mainly in security and his schedule is abnormal; he works late nights and sleeps most of the day. Sam also commits his time volunteering as a youth football coach. This does not help establish healthy eating habits as he normally eats at late/odd hours. Not only does Sam want to get healthy and control his weight, but he also wants to develop better eating and workout habits. Many people in Sam’s family have diabetes, hypertension and gout. Sam believes that if he can do this for himself, he will be a great example to his family and many others in his culture. He intends on winning The Biggest Loser and bringing back what he learns to his large family (where he is one of over 150 grandchildren and great-grandchildren).

SunShine Hampton
Age: 24
Height: 5’6″
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Occupation: Restaurant Server
Partner: O’Neal (Father)

NBC Bio
In high school, SunShine competed in both synchronized swimming and competitive swimming. While she has always been bigger, her selfless attitude has made it difficult to take the time necessary to meet her weight-loss goals. SunShine is constantly tempted by food at family gatherings and at work in a restaurant that serves mainly unhealthy dishes. She feels that the decisions she makes at this time in her life, and the patterns she sets up for herself, will determine what her future will look like. Without losing weight, SunShine feels the future is not as bright as it should be.