By Dani M. Stone
Cassandra Sturos, 25, wants to “take New York City by storm.” She recently received her bachelor’s degree in English/writing from Northern Michigan University. She wants to be a writer, maybe a columnist, and she knows New York City is the place to pursue her dreams, but at 239 pounds she lacks the confidence to make her big move. When Cassandra tried out for the Biggest Loser competition she invited her grandmother, Nancy Rajala, to join her. This year they make up the orange team, the only grandparent/grandchild team on Biggest Loser 13.
Cassandra is no stranger to excess weight and the teasing that often comes with it. As the oldest of 10 children growing up in Fowlerville, Michigan, Cassandra remembers someone taunting her about her weight in the second grade. It immediately and forever-after affected her self-esteem. As many people do, she sought comfort in food and continued to gain weight.
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By Dani M. Stone
Nancy Rajala considers the invitation from her granddaughter, Cassandra Sturos, to try out for the Biggest Loser competition to be nothing short of “divine intervention.” At 63, Nancy should be enjoying her retirement and spending time with her 55 grandchildren. Yes, 55. But instead, at 217 pounds, she has high blood pressure and feels depressed because she’s not the lively energetic person she used to be. Nancy and Cassandra are the only grandparent/grandchild team on this season of Biggest Loser 13.
To say Nancy is tough is an understatement. Raised in Farmington, Michigan with three siblings, Nancy was devastated by the loss of her father at just 13-years old. When she turned 14, her mother gave her a bus ticket, $70, and sent her off to get married. The marriage lasted only two years and at 17, she married her second husband and went on to have 13 children. The family had a successful drywall business and for the first time in a long time, Nancy was happy. Tragedy struck again when her husband developed heart failure and lung cancer. She was a widow at age 52.
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By Dani M. Stone
Ben Shuh is the king of fast food, well, at least his father was. As executive vice president of Burger King, Ben’s father kept the family hopping, moving Ben and his four siblings from Ohio, Michigan, Florida and Texas. In high school, Ben was active in sports playing football and competing in wrestling tournaments. He was even a starting defensive tackle for a Texas 5A state qualifying football team, as well as a state-qualifying wrestler. After high school, less exercise and big life changes led to a staggering weight gain, which in turn led to his participation in Biggest Loser 13.
In 2002, Ben’s wife announced she wanted a divorce and left him with sole custody of their four children. Suddenly, any free time he had was needed to be Super Dad. For seven years, Ben juggled work and the kids’ activities, often leaving him tired and depressed. His priority was making sure his children had what they needed, meaning he came last, often to the detriment of his health.
Now happily married again, Ben found love and 10 more reasons to lose weight, get in shape and lead a healthier lifestyle – his growing family. Ben’s wife brought four children to join his brood, they had a child together, and now they have a baby on the way.
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By Dani M. Stone
Christine Pickler, 42, is quick to admit she’s an “emotional eater who uses food for comfort.” As a busy mother to four children and now three adult step-children, Christine knows she can always find an excuse not to exercise or eat the way she should. She recently married a man 20 years her senior and looks forward to creating a life with him. At 240 pounds, she’s excited to be on Biggest Loser 13 this year with her new husband Roy Pickler. They are the only husband and wife team this season.
Growing up in South Bend, Indiana with a large blended family, Christine is comfortable with an extended family and now has one of her own. With seven children between she and her Santa Claus look-a-like husband, she knows she needs to get healthy to juggle her new demanding life.
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By Dani M. Stone
Roy Pickler joins his wife Christine Pickler this season on Biggest Loser 13. They make up the red team, which is appropriate because Roy is a self-employed Santa Claus from Middlebury, Indiana. With his authentic white hair and fluffy white beard, his Santa-esque qualities are remarkable. Unfortunately, he also has the “bowl full of jelly” belly to go with it. At 63-years-old and 306 pounds, Roy knows he needs to get healthy, but there is an emotional attachment to his weight. He wonders how he can continue to delight children if he’s a slim Santa.
For 25 years, Roy has been a role model for young children, taking his scout troops on adventures, and spending the Christmas season being the jolly man. Now, with an unhealthy lifestyle and morbid obesity causing high blood pressure, sleep apnea, water retention, hypertension and high cholesterol, Roy hasn’t been feeling quite so jolly these days.
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