TV DivaGal Exclusive: Biggest Loser's Surprise Guest

By Delaina Dixon | March 30, 2010 | Entertainment

On tonight’s episode of The Biggest Loser: Couples, the show will give props to Wayne Vandenlangenberg, a Wisconsinite who once weighed 674 lbs. After a near-death experience, he was inspired by the show to lose the weight and dropped 400 lbs. — on his own!

TV DivaGal first heard about Wayne’s incredible journey from former BL contestant and pal Joelle Gwynn, who was instrumental in letting the series know about Wayne’s amazing feat. Here she tells of her inspirational connection with Wayne, in her own words.

“The moment I heard Wayne’s story I was touched. His story is heart-wrenching and amazing. Wayne said that he was near death, in a comma, suffering severe health complications from being more than 400 lbs. overweight. They did not expect him to live.

Wayne said his deceased grandmother visited him while he was in a coma and told him that his time on earth was not over. She told him to go back and be an inspiration. Wayne woke up from the coma and started to lose the weight, doing all of the work on his own.

Wayne’s story inspired me when I was feeling low about my challenges with maintaining my weight-loss. If he could come back from being disabled in a wheelchair to lose more than 400 lbs., my hurt over my most challenging moments on the show and the loss of a friendship┬ácould not be greater than the success I could achieve if I keep striving at it. His achievement affirmed for me once again to dig deeper for my own success. I truly felt a kindred spirit with Wayne and our higher powers.

Wayne told me it would be a dream of his to be connected to BL and meet trainer Bob Harper. I simply lit the flame by sending an emaiI and the momentum got started.

Others who helped get the ball rolling include former BL season seven contestant Laura Denoux who is the Heart Walk Director in Miami, Fla., and Russ Lane, founder of Second Helping Online, who submitted Wayne’s information to the Today show for Wayne to be recognized on the Joy Luck Club. Season seven alum Kristin Steede has been working out with Wayne as well.

All of this energy is synonymous to the “Yes We Can” zeitgeist of today. If we band together and support one another, the sky is the limit to the success that we can achieve collectively. Whether it be politics or weight loss, whatever the goal, we can be more successful if we support one another. I celebrate Wayne’s triumphs!

It feels wonderful to help someone achieve their dreams, just because. There’s a gospel song that says ‘If I can touch somebody along they way, Then my living will not be in vain.’ I am very happy for Wayne. Wayne’s story is they type of success that warrants national recognition.”

See Wayne’s amazing transformation and hear more about his journey on The Biggest Loser: Couples, Tuesday, March 30 at 8 p.m. on NBC.

photo credit: NBC