Mike Morelli
Mike Morelli of Biggest Loser spoke at the MIPA workshop at Michigan State University in front of a select group of journalism students. Mike, who is now 19, dropped out of his freshman year of college at MSU to take a chance to go on the Biggest Loser journey. At 18 years old, Mike became the youngest contestant to ever be on the show. Not only did he break that record, he also set the record for the most consecutive weeks of double digit weight loss.
Mike graduated from Catholic Central High School in Novi, Michigan. “I graduated by far the heaviest kid in my class.” He stated. “I started when I was eighteen”, Morelli said about starting the show, “and I was 388 pounds.” He continued.
Arriving at the Biggest Loser ranch with his father, Mike was determined to change his lifestyle and fulfill the promise to him to get healthy. Through the ups and the downs, Morelli says one quote helped him get through it all. “It’s not about how hard you get hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and then get back up.” This quote came from the movie Rocky.
Throughout the journey Mike shed pounds and found confidence. He went from a shy teen to being able to talk in front of hundreds of people. Although he states he is still really nervous. Eight weeks in a row, Mike had double digit weight loss and motivated his dad to do something even Mike didn’t think he could accomplish.
Viewers of the show, and even non-viewers have been inspired by his story. By accomplishing a goal most thought was unattainable, Mike showed that all it takes is the strength within yourself. “Change is scary,” Morelli says, “if it wasn’t, we’d all be skinny and healthy.”
