Category: biggest loser 17

Laura Denoux
24
Green Team
Partner: Tara Costa (Friend)
Trainer: Jillian
Sales
Miami, FL

NBC Bio
Laura is known as a social butterfly. She is a very giving, outgoing and an ambitious young woman. Growing up as an only child with divorced parents, Laura learned how to take care of herself at a very young age. Her whole life, she has always been “the big girl,” but after the loss of her father at age 15, Laura’s weight became uncontrollable. She has tried every diet, but to no avail. While attending Florida International University to study advertising and marketing, she started her career as a top sales director for a major cosmetic company. At Laura’s thinnest adult weight, she conquered her goal of becoming a plus-size model for a top Miami agency. During her career, her expectations were that she could eat whatever she wanted, because she was “plus-size.” To her surprise, clients did not want a model that was larger than a size 14! She needs this chance to get back in shape and to get her career and life back.

Cathy Skell
48
Purple Team
Partner: Kristin Steede (Daughter)
Trainer: Bob
Sales
Shiocton, WI

NBC Bio
Despite her weight, Cathy lives a fairly active life. Cathy is young at heart, but the older her body becomes, the more difficult it is for her to do the things she loves. Cathy’s struggle with her weight has been progressive over the last ten years. Recently both of Cathy’s parents were hospitalized due to heart conditions. She realizes the excessive weight around her midsection must come off soon before she finds herself in the same situation and fears the same for her daughter, Kristin. With Kristin at her side, she knows together they will do whatever it takes to transform their lives forever.

Kristin Steede
28
Purple Team
Partner: Cathy Skell (Mother)
Trainer: Bob
Business Owner
Greenville, WI

NBC Bio
Although Kristin has struggled with her weight most of her life, she has tried her best to not let that stand in the way of what she wants. Kristin is married to her high school sweetheart. They have been together for over 13 years and are more than ready to start their family, but now she finds that her excessive weight is the only thing standing in her way. As a self-employed business owner she is natural leader and is not afraid to take challenges head on. With her entrepreneurial lifestyle, she has moved a healthy diet and exercise to the bottom of her priorities. She is an emotional eater and turns to food in stressful situations. Kristin needs to re-program herself to get her weight under control before her biological clock runs out. With the unconditional love and support of her mother, combined with her desire to start a family, together they will let nothing and no one get in their way.

David Lee
23
Orange Team
Partner: Daniel Wright (Best Friend)
Trainer: Jillian
Student
Fuquay-Varina, NC

NBC Bio
David has made it a point in his life to not let his weight hold him back. Rather than being victimized by his weight problem, he looks for fun times, is not afraid of going out, and even conquered his fear of going shirtless to the pool. David’s competitive nature is well known by his friends. He hates to lose and will fight diligently to succeed at what he sets out to do. One of David’s biggest problems with losing weight is his love of comfort and hatred of change. Eating unhealthy foods and not exercising is comfortable, but losing the weight would require a dramatic change of lifestyle for David, making it difficult for him to keep up.

Daniel Wright
19
Orange Team
Partner: David Lee (Best Friend)
Trainer: Jillian
Student
Willow Spring, NC

NBC Bio
Daniel is an intellectual and caring person with an extraordinary character and attitude towards life. He always strives to do his best in everything. He also loves his friends dearly and is a great friend to have because he tries to put others before himself. However, this is sometimes detrimental to Daniel and his weight-loss efforts. He is a very competitive person who hates to lose at anything, although he would not mind losing a lot of weight! The weight is a big hindrance to him in his life.

Shanon Thomas
29
Pink Team
Partner: Helen Phillips (Mother)
Trainer: Bob
Massage Therapist
Centerline, MI

NBC Bio
Shanon is a very outgoing, animated and friendly person. Her love of her family and friends shines through. Shanon grew up as the oldest child of three; she always tried to set a good example for her younger brother and sister. Even though she struggled with her weight, she tried to stay active in high school sports. These days Shanon spends more time watching, tailgating or eating instead of playing sports. Shannon’s caring actions come through every day in her job as a massage therapist, but she feels she could make an even bigger impact on her clients once her weight is under control. She has been heavy her entire life and is ready to get on the right course. Shanon has developed some bad habits over the years and says she cannot help but get up for a midnight snack most nights.

Helen Phillips
47
Pink Team
Partner: Shanon Thomas (Daughter)
Trainer: Bob
Housewife
Sterling Heights, MI

NBC Bio
Helen is a very outgoing, friendly and caring mom of three. She has always put her friends and family before herself, which has left her with little time to care for her own needs, including a proper diet. Helen fell into the fast food routine; it was simple and worked with her busy schedule. She was not always heavy and once the weight was gained she found herself not able to enjoy the physical activities she once loved to do. Now instead of taking a hike, she finds herself sitting on the couch watching the Travel Channel while eating ice cream. Helen says she and her husband have become each other’s enablers and this only makes it harder to lose the weight. Helen and her husband keep the fridge stocked with all their favorite junk foods that she cannot resist. Helen knows she needs to be on the show to become a better role model for the people she loves, and above all, for herself.

Jerry Hayes
63
White Team
Partner: Estella Hayes (Wife)
Trainer: Jillian
Retired Engineer
Wheaton, IL

NBC Bio
“BIG JER” is the family’s chief; a leader, and a funny, fair, and all-around nice guy. He is dedicated and hardworking, as demonstrated through a 35-year engineering career and a second career in finance, as well as his active involvement with his family. Jerry enjoys being silly and playing with his grandkids. Until a few months ago, Jerry was walking three mornings a week for 30 minutes. Currently, he does not have an exercise routine apart from lawn care and walking around town with the family. Jerry eats on the road, snacking a lot, particularly at night. Jerry is also sensitive at times about his weight/appearance. He is looking forward to losing the weight as mobility is often difficult, particularly when playing on the ground with the grandkids and getting in and out of tight spaces. Jerry, a great guy to get to know, will be a tough competitor when he sets his goals!