Back in 2008, Sam Rouen won the third series of 'The Biggest Loser,' a reality TV show that pits overweight contestants against each other to see who can lose the highest percentage of body weight for a cash prize.
Aged just 19 at the time, Sam weighed a hefty 154kg when he started on the weight-loss show, and by the end had lost an amazing 71kg. Now 29 and a fireman, it is clear that he has kept up his good habits since his appearance on the show after releasing a post with before and after photos reflecting on the 10 year period of his incredible transformation. "Wasn’t sure if I was going to do this post?'' He said. "However, ten years, hey. What a time. So much has happened, good, bad, everything between. Highest highs and lowest lows. All I know is I’ve got some amazing people in my corner, and I’m unconditionally appreciative of that."
Sharing a before-and-after photo from a chubby teenager on the show to ripped and toned firefighter, he is completely unrecognizable from his former self. He has found love and appeared as a model in a firefighters calendar, and is dedicated to his healthy lifestyle and exercise program. “I’m addicted to working out now, and I definitely love running and working out with my brother. I play a bit of sport to stay in shape and also work out in the gym,” he told Australian newspaper The Daily Telegraph.
However despite the positive changes in his appearance he still has some leftover anxiety formed long ago during his overweight days. “I’m still extremely self-conscious,” he says. “I still don’t like taking my shirt off, even at the beach.”
Sam's story is pretty inspirational and shows what can be done with some hard work, dedication to healthy living and sticking with your weight loss program. Having achieved his aim of becoming a fireman and coming out looking fantastic in the process, Sam believes that “you can be at your lowest point and, with a bit of hard work and persistence, you can turn it around and fulfill your dreams.”
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This is Sam Rouen, pictured before as a teenager on reality TV show 'The Biggest Loser'
He was always heavy in his younger days before deciding to go on the show
Image credits: Sam Rouen
He was the winner of the third series back in 2008
Image credits: Network 10
Going from a hefty 154kg
Image credits: Network 10
To 83kg, losing an astonishing 71kg in 12 weeks on the show
Image credits: Network 10
He has kept up his healthy lifestyle in the 10 years since
Image credits: Sam Rouen
''I’m addicted to working out now, I definitely love running and working out with my brother''
Image credits: Sam Rouen
He has fulfilled his dream of becoming a firefighter
Image credits: Sam Rouen
And has appeared as a model in a firefighters calendar
Image credits: Sam Rouen
Image credits: Australian Firefighters Calendar
He has found love and is engaged to his girlfriend Daniella
Image credits: Australian Firefighters Calendar
Despite his impressive physique he still gets self conscious
Image credits: Australian Firefighters Calendar
''I still don’t like taking my shirt off, even at the beach''
Image credits: Australian Firefighters Calendar
Image credits: Australian Firefighters Calendar
Sam's story is pretty inspirational and shows what can be done with some hard work and dedication to healthy living
Image credits: Sam Rouen
''You can be at your lowest point and, with a bit of hard work and persistence, you can turn it around and fulfill your dreams''
Image credits: Sam Rouen