Rulon Gardner to participate on ‘The Biggest Loser’

Local celebrity Rulon Gardner has quite the resume. Now – along with two-time Olympic medalist, world champion and plane crash survivor – he can add “reality TV show participant.”Rulon has been filming for “The Biggest Loser,” a weight-loss reality show on NBC, since September, and could continue to film up to 15 weeks depending on how well he competes on the show.”He was a small town farm boy and then he worked hard,” said Rulon’s wife Kamie. “Just through his hard work is how he was able to become best in the world at what he was doing – wrestling.”Justin Pope, who owns Gardner Elite Training Center in Logan with Rulon, will also appear on the show. Kamie said the two wrestled in middle school and have been long-time friends.”I think they’re both really competitive and I think they’ll motivate each other,” she said.The gym – located at 981 South Main Street – has been open for just more than a year, with preparations for the opening taking about five years.”He decided he wanted to (open a gym) and we had a lot of obstacles stand in the way, but if Rulon decides he wants to do something he gets it done,” Kamie said.Rulon had to go through the regular casting process, just like the other participants. Rulon was contacted by USA Wrestling’s Executive Director Rich Bender who asked if he’d be interested in being on the show. He then contacted NBC, and then NBC representatives contacted Rulon in order to start the casting process. Kamie said casting involved interviews and making a lot of videos.Rulon will be home for the holidays and to film a week at home for the show. He’ll be at the gym Sunday afternoon for a homecoming, and the public is welcome. – [email protected]

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!