Starting at a young age, Michael has always struggled with his weight. In recent years he has tried everything he could to lose weight, including dangerous over-the-counter and prescription pills, trendy diet plans, expensive nutritionists, starvation and, at his most desperate attempts, forcing himself to be bulimic. Michael's biggest goals are to pursue a career in advertising and public relations, and to eventually meet the love of his life and start a family.

Profile:

Age 30

Hometown Chicago, IL

Occupation Deejay

Team Color White

Teammate Maria Ventrella, mother

Starting Weight 526

Week 18 Weight 299

Total Loss -227

Family Single

Factoids

* Set record for most weight loss lost in week one by any contestant in history (-34 pounds) – Week 1
* Set goal to lose 100 pounds by week six, to beat Rudy’s season 8 record. – Week 2
* Set record for reaching 100 pound weight loss in week 7, beating Rudy’s record. – Week 7

Still weighing 262 lbs, Michael's weight loss journey isn't over yet. At 6'3", the American Heart Association recommends a weight of 176-200 lbs, so Michael has some more work to do, but he's ready to do it. "Lots of people start 'Biggest Loser' at the place where I'm ending," he said.



Tags: michael ventrella, biggest loser, biggest loser 2010, biggest loser finale, biggest loser winner, biggest loser 2010 winner