Man Loses 157 Pounds & Becomes Sizzling Hot Firefighter Hunk

Mar 01, 2021

It's incredibly common for people to fixate on their weight throughout their lives. Whether they're overweight and trying to lose some pounds or trying to gain weight and put on muscle, the experiences people have with their bodies are universal to many. This is why stories about these topics are so affecting and why television shows documenting these journeys are so popular. Shows such as "The Biggest Loser" highlight the personal struggles that go into losing bodyweight. But beyond just the necessary physical challenges, there is often a big psychological impact, too. This is why following up on contestants years after they've been on the show provides even more insight into the process of losing weight.

Sam Rouen was on "The Biggest Loser" back in 2008. It was there that he lost a whopping 157 pounds. He was only 19 at the time, weighed almost 340 pounds and ended up setting a record by becoming the youngest winner of the Australian version of the show. His story was viewed by many, but for years after he disappeared from the spotlight. For many viewers, what happens when the show is over and a contestant goes back to their ordinary life is often more interesting than the manufactured environment of the show. There can be new challenges that they might not have seen while filming, but also a lot of reflection that can happen later on.

In this video filmed in 2019, Rouen, who is now a firefighter, talks about life after his win on the show, how he is doing 11 years later and his future goals and aspirations.

Back in 2004, the American show "The Biggest Loser" came to television. It had a rather simple yet universal concept behind it — the goal for each of the contestants, who were either overweight or obese, was to lose the highest percentage of body weight in relation to their starting weight, in which case the biggest loser (of weight) would win a cash prize. The premise wasn't necessarily groundbreaking. After all, people have been documenting their weight fluctuations for a long time. But it was the universality of the contestants' struggle that spoke to the public and made it an instant success.

Since then, nearly 40 countries around the world have had their own versions of the show. The message is the same as people all over the world are the same — we all have bodies and sometimes, in different stages of our lives, we struggle with excess weight that we don't want. This is why a show like "The Biggest Loser," which inspires contestants to lose weight through recommended methods such as exercise and diet, became such a huge phenomenon.

In 2006, Australia got its own version of the show and alongside Australian trainers, it also featured the original two U.S. trainers Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper. By its third season in 2008, it had captivated the nation. The winner of that season was a 19-year-old by the name of Sam Rouen. Incredibly young compared to the rest of the contestants, Rouen became the youngest winner of the Australian version of the show.    

Today, Rouen continues to live a healthy lifestyle and has managed to keep the weight off. He was called in for an interview on the Australian talk show "Studio 10," where the hosts delve deeper into his experiences and his current life. 

In the interview, which is linked below, when Rouen is asked about how he feels about himself when he looks back on his 19-year-old self, and if he remembers struggling at the time, he answered, "I don't think I really do ... It seems like a lifetime ago. I haven't even really looked at photos like that for a long time. I feel phenomenally different." He described himself as a very happy kid, one that had a lot of friends, but also added that when one goes through life overweight, it can get you down a little. 

He also talked about how it was to lose all that weight on the show. Many people may have daunting experiences with losing weight and sticking to a regimen that can finally show results. On a show like "The Biggest Loser," the added pressure of exercises and diets as a competition against other contestants can be a challenging experience for many. When he was asked if he thought about giving up along the way, he replied with a resounding "no."

Rouen told the hosts in the interview that for him, it was a day-by-day challenge, which turned into weeks, which turned into months until he found himself standing up on the stage and being weighed, eventually winning the season.   

Rouen also said he would like to be optimistic and believes that he could have lost as much weight even if he hadn't taken part in "The Biggest Loser," but realistically, it would have taken him much longer than it did on the show. 

Adding to this conversation in the video, he talked about his days in university when junk food and beers were a large part of his diet. Even though he was a big child growing up, he was still fit and healthy and took part in sports such as cross country running. His drastic weight gain started only after he got older and stopped sports, he said. 

This is a common phenomenon for many people — while still children and teenagers, they expel enough energy to make up for the excess calories they might be consuming. But once adulthood begins and they start working, with less time for recreational activities and sport, the weight simply piles on, and then it becomes much harder to make the correct lifestyle changes necessary to lose weight. This is why paying attention to diet and ensuring children incorporate healthy foods and an understanding of nutrition is vital. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pointed out that the prevalence of obesity in the United States was 42.4% in 2017-2018. A growing issue, they've outlined strategies to help curb the numbers of overweight and obese adults. These include: assessing one's body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference to estimate weight status and potential risks, adopting healthy eating habits and maintaining physical activity. They provide further detailed information about these points on their website.

Currently, Rouen is a firefighter, which was always his dream job. On top of this, he was commended by the hosts for his "raunchy" calendar shoot that highlights his toned body and incredible abs. He responded that he is very happy to be involved with the Australian Firefighter's Calendar, a foundation that raises money for the Children's Hospital Foundation. He has come a long way from being an overweight 19-year-old to living as a healthy and fit man today who isn't afraid of showing off the body that he works hard for.

But in an interview with news.com.au, Rouen spoke of his difficult journey, which didn't end with simply losing weight and winning "The Biggest Loser." He opened up about an unhealthy obsession that arose after his win:

“[The] Biggest Loser was great for me but there was such a focus on numbers, so it was hard to switch that off. It’s probably been almost two years since I weighed myself. Straight after the show it became quite unhealthy."

Admitting to weighing himself multiple times a day and obsessing over food, Rouen is in a much better place now, when he realized that the number on the scales isn't important.

“It took me a couple of years for my metabolism to catch up, and for the past few years I’ve turned away from the scales and can’t even remember the last time I weighed myself. I base it off how I feel.”

Now that he's in a much happier and healthier place, Rouen is truly feeling on top of the world, and this interview confirmed that.

In the news.com.au interview, Rouen also spoke of how his win on "The Biggest Loser" is when he first realized his self-worth, although he still admitted to facing challenges in his life even today. Nevertheless, he said that "the thing that keeps me focused is that I appreciate and enjoy my new lease on life.” While opening up about his own weight loss journey, he added that he hopes everyone is given the opportunity to self-reflect and understand how amazing they are and what they can achieve in life, too. And his tips for anyone who is struggling with their own weight journey? 

“Start as soon as possible. Those small, little changes all add up. Make easy healthier alternatives and then just stay consistent. People get so focused on needing results immediately, remember it takes time.”

As for his eating habits, Rouen practices what he preaches, drinking a black coffee in the morning before fasting until lunchtime. He explained, “Lunch and dinner are very similar, usually just lean meats like chicken or pork with a large side of steamed veggies." Staying consistent and focusing on good daily habits is key to a successful weight loss and maintenance journey, as Rouen has shown.

These are some wise words from a man who's experienced a lot. Rouen's life story is worth listening to, as he lives the motto, "Where there is a will, there is a way." More information about Rouen, his experiences on "The Biggest Loser" and his future aspirations can be found in the video below. 

What did you think about Sam Rouen's story? If you know someone who would also enjoy hearing his story or be inspired by his journey, let them know about this video as well.