There’s only one competition where losing big means winning big- " The Biggest Loser." And, for the second season of the show’s Asian run, only three out of 16 contestants remain to battle it out next week for the $100,000 cash prize.
For 34-year-old Filipino Genghis Khan Enrique, victory is practically within his reach. He’s one of the last men standing to make it to the finale. Despite being older than the two other contestants (26-year-old Nai from Thailand and 24-year-old Raj from Singapore), he feels he can win on sheer determination alone.
“My toughest competitor is Nai, I felt like I was always looking at his back,” Genghis said about his fellow Red Team member and the numerous challenges they had to go through. “He’s a robot, and doesn’t get tired. But I’ll follow him, and keep on following him until I ultimately surpass him.”
Despite getting so far in the competition, Genghis himself was the most surprised about making it to the finale - and for dropping a whopping 47 kg (over 100 lbs). “I’m in disbelief and shock that I made it all the way. Even the crew was surprised. I’m totally the underdog, and this feels like a fairytale,” he said.
Throughout the season’s run, Genghis has been described as many things: “Two-faced,” “comedian,” “weak,” and “spoiled,” among others. In his defense, Genghis explained, “Everyone has (a different personality). With people saying I have no motivation, no drive, or athletic skills… I’m the first one to admit all those things. But that’s what makes me the perfect candidate for ‘The Biggest Loser.’”
He further explained, “Other contestants can lose weight by themselves. But I needed to be pushed, slapped, and whipped. That’s what the show does for people who don’t have the determination; it forces them to get in shape. I’m really the stereotypical guy who’s fat and spoiled. So many people told me I wouldn’t succeed, but here I am.”
Genghis gives much credit to Kristy Curtis, the trainer assigned to the Red Team. “I have a love-hate relationship with Kristy. If she gets mad at me, it’s to my benefit. But at the end of the day, I have only love for Kristy. The moment I have a daughter, I’ll name her Kristy,” he laughed. “I like to say, ‘My mom gave me my life, but Kristy gave me back my life.’ I’m totally indebted to her.”
But Genghis has also gotten his fair share of drama this season. Rivalries with the Blue Team, his spats with Lori from Hong Kong, and his decision to keep her on the show while eliminating Leo from Indonesia, were among the highlights (and lowlights) of the season. “This is a contest, and coming from the Red Team, I’ll forever be Red. No matter how much I despised Lori and really wanted her out, I wouldn’t be able to face Kristy and my teammates after. I wanted a clear conscience. They are my family… although a dysfunctional family,” he chuckled.
Early this year, Genghis was leading an unhealthy lifestyle, his “system was all messed up,” had numerous injuries, and he was living off painkillers. Being the owner of an Internet café, a typical day for him consisted of waking up at 1 p.m., visiting his shop, sitting down and chatting with customers, gorging on junk food, and ending his day at 5 a.m.
“I always thought the moment I turn 35, I’ll need to go for surgery to deal with my health problems. I was taking maintenance medicines for hypertension, diabetes, my heart condition, uric acid,” he admitted.
After his three month stint on TBLA, Genghis now leads a healthy lifestyle; from taking eight pills a day, he’s down to three. He exercises four hours a day, burns 2000 calories, consumes 1,200 to 1,400 calories daily and gets adequate rest. Previously, self-conscious and awkward, Genghis is now learning to love himself, and others. “If I open myself up, maybe I can open up to others. Everything in life is new to me. Now, there’s ample space around me – people no longer stare at me when I’m in the mall, I can ride a roller coaster, go bungee jumping, and buy clothes off the rack. This is utter bliss, and I feel good.”
Genghis has this to say to people who need to lose weight but can’t seem to do it: “No excuses,” he said. “Everything’s just in your mind. If there’s a will, there’s a way. Don’t take shortcuts, and use what God has given you. He’s given us two legs, two arms, go out and use them. Anyone can do it, look at me!”
The two-hour Biggest Loser Asia finale will be aired on December 14, 2010, exclusively on DIVA Universal at 9 p.m.
Source: DIVA
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