Nicole Duran, Guest Blogger
Bernardo “Bernie” Salazar, last year’s “at home” winner of TV’s “The Biggest Loser,” has been bringing his message of healthful living to Capitol Hill. Since claiming the $100,000 prize last April, he has traveled to Washington, D.C. three times to promote the importance of exercise and government funding for fitness programs.
He first came last May to help the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports launch an adult version of the well-known fitness test for school children. Standing alongside at-home workout queen Denise Austin and Rep. Zack Wamp (R-Tenn.), who founded the Congressional Fitness Caucus, Salazar couldn’t help but think of the irony.
“I was the kid who couldn’t pass the physical fitness test in school and then I got to help launch the adult program?” marveled Salazar, who lost 130 pounds, almost 50 of which came after he was voted off the show.
Last month, he was part of a group assembled by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association that included former Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker and soccer star Mia Hamm.
“I’m a Midwest guy, so for me to actually be there and be in the presence of professional athletes, what a thrill,” Salazar said. As for the group’s efforts to support more physical education in schools, the former teacher said he is fully on board. “If I can save one kid from getting hit by a dodge ball because they’re out of shape, that’s my goal,” he laughed.
Earlier this month he was back, this time in support of the American Heart Association. Among the highlights for Salazar were telling his story to a very engaged Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), meeting Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) and chatting with staffers of Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), whom the Chicago native says he admires.
“I’m not trying to be a professional lobbyist, but if I can actually take my two minutes of TV celebrity and pay it forward, I really need to,” Salazar said.