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Here’s How The Man Who Won ‘The Biggest Loser’ 10 Years Ago Has Completely Changed His Life

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.”

More info: Facebook

This is Sam Rouen, pictured before as a teenager on reality TV show ‘The Biggest Loser’

weight-loss-biggest-losers-sam-rouen-firefighter-67

He was always heavy in his younger days before deciding to go on the show

Here's How The Man Who Won 'The Biggest Loser' 10 Years Ago Has Completely Changed His Life

Image credits: Sam Rouen

He was the winner of the third series back in 2008

Here's How The Man Who Won 'The Biggest Loser' 10 Years Ago Has Completely Changed His Life

Image credits: Network 10

Going from a hefty 154kg

Here's How The Man Who Won 'The Biggest Loser' 10 Years Ago Has Completely Changed His Life

Image credits: Network 10

To 83kg, losing an astonishing 71kg in 12 weeks on the show

Here's How The Man Who Won 'The Biggest Loser' 10 Years Ago Has Completely Changed His Life

Image credits: Network 10

He has kept up his healthy lifestyle in the 10 years since

Here's How The Man Who Won 'The Biggest Loser' 10 Years Ago Has Completely Changed His Life

Image credits: Sam Rouen

”I’m addicted to working out now, I definitely love running and working out with my brother”

Here's How The Man Who Won 'The Biggest Loser' 10 Years Ago Has Completely Changed His Life

Image credits: Sam Rouen

He has fulfilled his dream of becoming a firefighter

Here's How The Man Who Won 'The Biggest Loser' 10 Years Ago Has Completely Changed His Life

Image credits: Sam Rouen

And has appeared as a model in a firefighters calendar

Here's How The Man Who Won 'The Biggest Loser' 10 Years Ago Has Completely Changed His Life

Image credits: Sam Rouen

Here's How The Man Who Won 'The Biggest Loser' 10 Years Ago Has Completely Changed His Life

Image credits: Australian Firefighters Calendar

He has found love and is engaged to his girlfriend Daniella

weight-loss-biggest-losers-sam-rouen-firefighter-68

weight-loss-biggest-losers-sam-rouen-firefighter-69

Image credits: Australian Firefighters Calendar

Despite his impressive physique he still gets self conscious

Here's How The Man Who Won 'The Biggest Loser' 10 Years Ago Has Completely Changed His Life

Image credits: Australian Firefighters Calendar

”I still don’t like taking my shirt off, even at the beach”

Here's How The Man Who Won 'The Biggest Loser' 10 Years Ago Has Completely Changed His Life

Image credits: Australian Firefighters Calendar

Here's How The Man Who Won 'The Biggest Loser' 10 Years Ago Has Completely Changed His Life

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

Here's How The Man Who Won 'The Biggest Loser' 10 Years Ago Has Completely Changed His Life

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”

Here's How The Man Who Won 'The Biggest Loser' 10 Years Ago Has Completely Changed His Life

Image credits: Sam Rouen

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James is a Bored Panda reporter who graduated with a BA in Peace And Conflict Studies and an MA in African Affairs. Before Bored Panda, he was an English teacher and also travelled a lot, doing odd jobs from beer-slinging to brickie's labourer and freelance journalism along the way. James loves covering stories about social and environmental issues and prefers to highlight the positive things that unite us, rather than petty internet squabbles about fictional characters. James is the grumpy, contradictory one who thinks that Bored Panda, due to its large audience, has a social responsibility to inspire and inform its readers with interesting issues and entertaining, well-researched stories. Let's do our bit to make our little corner of the internet a smarter, more truthful and less angry place!

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Julia NotMyLastname 6 years ago

While of course this is amazing, how has nobody pointed out yet that it says he "still doesn't like taking his shirt off, even at the beach." And then proceeds to show 6 pictures of him with his shirt off,not including the three beforehand. I just think it's kind of funny. (I'm gonna get a million downvotes, aren't I?)

42points

Zelda Jones 6 years ago

I guess he made the exception as the shirtless pics were from a Fireman's calendar; the proceeds of which I presume were either going to a charity or else to a fund for a firemen's cause.

24points

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Hilarious 6 years ago

I think he is self conscious of his pectoralis scars near his nipples which go towards under his arms. He had to have surgery to remove the extra skin after his weight loss.

9points

Pseudo Puppy 6 years ago

Zelda Jones is correct - the photos were a FUNDRAISING event, to support children who have suffered burns. While promoting the calendar, he spoke of why he chose this fundraising event to step back into public life, and how he believed the fundraising / helping children with burns, was more important than his insecurities / shyness.

7points

orenji 6 years ago

You don't easily shake off that feeling when you've been embarrassed about showing your body your whole life. Perhaps those firefighter photos were his way of trying to overcome the feeling? Who knows lol. But good for him!

1point

Rob Kennedy 6 years ago

If I had a body like his, i'd never put a shirt ON. lol

1point

anarkzie 6 years ago

Yes but none of those shirtless pictures are taken at a beach, he may get cold easily, hence the raging fire behind him.

1point

ايجور حقيبة 6 years ago

you know theres a difference between ''doesnt like'' and ''will absolutely never''

0points

Susan Hildreth 6 years ago

I guess you can feel self conscious and push through those feelings. I do it in the summer now that I'm way heavier than before.

0points

Ann Ros'a 6 years ago

I know that was a bite weird he’d be quoted saying that. LOL

0points

Nancy E 6 years ago

Congrats to you, for a goal, discipline , a healthy lifestyle , & , your engagement !

30points

AmeliaBaxter 6 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

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Jenni Jones 6 years ago

You can really see how people project their own insecurities in comment sections....

12points

Full Name 6 years ago

And by the way everybody deals with everybody all day long. We're pretty much a product of them.

0points

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POST

Julia NotMyLastname 6 years ago

42points

Zelda Jones 6 years ago

I guess he made the exception as the shirtless pics were from a Fireman's calendar; the proceeds of which I presume were either going to a charity or else to a fund for a firemen's cause.

24points

Load More Replies...

Hilarious 6 years ago

I think he is self conscious of his pectoralis scars near his nipples which go towards under his arms. He had to have surgery to remove the extra skin after his weight loss.

9points

Pseudo Puppy 6 years ago

7points

orenji 6 years ago

1point

Rob Kennedy 6 years ago

If I had a body like his, i'd never put a shirt ON. lol

1point

anarkzie 6 years ago

Yes but none of those shirtless pictures are taken at a beach, he may get cold easily, hence the raging fire behind him.

1point

ايجور حقيبة 6 years ago

you know theres a difference between ''doesnt like'' and ''will absolutely never''

0points

Susan Hildreth 6 years ago

I guess you can feel self conscious and push through those feelings. I do it in the summer now that I'm way heavier than before.

0points

Ann Ros'a 6 years ago

I know that was a bite weird he’d be quoted saying that. LOL

0points

Nancy E 6 years ago

Congrats to you, for a goal, discipline , a healthy lifestyle , & , your engagement !

30points

AmeliaBaxter 6 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Load More Replies...

Jenni Jones 6 years ago

You can really see how people project their own insecurities in comment sections....

12points

Full Name 6 years ago

And by the way everybody deals with everybody all day long. We're pretty much a product of them.

0points

Load More Replies...

Load More Comments

Related on Bored Panda

Here’s How The Man Who Won ‘The Biggest Loser’ 10 Years Ago Has Completely Changed His Life

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

He was the winner of the third series back in 2008

Going from a hefty 154kg

To 83kg, losing an astonishing 71kg in 12 weeks on the show

He has kept up his healthy lifestyle in the 10 years since

”I’m addicted to working out now, I definitely love running and working out with my brother”

He has fulfilled his dream of becoming a firefighter

And has appeared as a model in a firefighters calendar

He has found love and is engaged to his girlfriend Daniella

Despite his impressive physique he still gets self conscious

”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 and dedication to healthy living

”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”

Games

James Caunt

James Caunt