Biggest Loser: Is Scott Mitchell A Mormon?
Fans of “The Biggest Loser” have been asking if this season’s contestant Scott Mitchell is a Mormon. (I know this, because blog stats show the top searches on my site.)
Wonder no more. Today I had lunch with an acquaintance who mentioned that she knew Scott from her LDS ward in Florida. So unless something drastic has changed in the past few years, Scott Mitchell is, indeed, a Mormon.
I don’t blame people for wondering. After all, he’s from Utah, the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with a high Mormon population. There were also some clues about his religion in tonight’s episode, where he spoke about “finding joy” during a phone call home, and signed a T-shirt for Michael Irvin that said, “May you always find the presence of God in your life.”
Not that Mormons have a lock on finding God and joy. But it did seem to fit.
And speaking of joy and other feel-good emotions, I thought tonight’s episode was full of them. Rob Guiry’s giving his opportunity to call home to Lori Harrigan-Mack was an unexpected kindness. (Facebook posters have sometimes criticized Rob’s outbursts; maybe that sacrifice will quell their complaints that he’s whiny.)
The NFL “coaches” brought a lot of team spirit, and Michael Irvin’s heart-to-heart talk with Scott Mitchell revealed some raw emotions. Scott shared his disappointment at his NFL career ending prematurely, which echoed the disappointments many of us have faced when our chosen careers were cut short. I loved Irvin’s comment that “Football is what you did, not who you are,” which can be applied to a lot of situations.
I also loved the quote from this episode that, “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”
When Damien was eliminated after the weigh-in, he was a class act with his expressions of gratitude and love for his trainer and the other contestants. But, it’s a lot easier to be gracious when you are being eliminated due to your weight loss, instead of having your team vote you off!
I appreciate this season’s kinder, gentler approach, which is surprising considering that all of the contestants are super-competitive athletes. Some of us softies watch to be inspired; we never enjoyed the underhanded alliances, the game-playing that pitted people against each other, and the hostility that marred some of the other seasons. Perhaps these things are still going on, but the production editors have chosen not to show them. And after enduring the painful season with Conda Britt, I can just say that ignorance is bliss.
Now, we don’t have to feel TOO bad for the eliminated players because we know trainer Bob Harper is giving them a second change at Comeback Canyon. And then, seeing how great they look after they’ve been home, it’s hard to mourn their leaving.
More than anything, it’s inspiring me (and hopefully others) jump off the couch and start doing sit-ups and push-ups while I watch. And that kind of inspiration is a good thing!
More “Biggest Loser” posts:
Yes, Scott Mitchell is a Mormon https://chewandchat.com/2015/01/biggest-loser-yes-scott-mitchell-mormon.html
Interview with Scott Mitchell and Lori Harrigan-Mack https://chewandchat.com/2015/01/biggest-loser-scott-lori-said.html
Interview with Damien Woody https://chewandchat.com/2014/12/biggest-loser-damien-woody-praises-fellow-contestants.html
Interview with Scott Mitchell and Lori Harrigan-Mack
Jackson Carter’s surgery to remove excess skin: https://chewandchat.com/2014/09/biggest-loser-jackson-carter-raising-money-surgery.html
Matt Miller interview: https://chewandchat.com/2014/10/biggest-loser-interview-matt-miller.html
Deni Hill’s Mormon mission in Mongolia
Sarah Nitta’s weight loss tips.
Justin Pope’s weight loss tips.
Jackson Carter’s weight loss tips.
Jackson Carter’s behind-the-scenes info on what it’s REALLY like at “the ranch.”
And lots more! Just click on the “Biggest Loser” tags and you’ll find more interviews and updates of contestants, as well as my musings as I’ve followed each season for the past several years.