It's inspiring as presented on TV. Though the producers have left just enough unclean film edits to raise lots of questions.
But first, I am a watcher of the show and really derive inspiration from the results. I have lived a similar life and am down over 100 pounds (or was until a few months ago) from my all-time high. I did much like you see on the show but just before the show launched. There is no need for all the surgeries and special whatever diets you read about
all it is is a balance of life. The really great thing they have started to show in the last couple seasons is repairing the emotional side of the equation.
I think it unfortunate that the producers edit in a way that makes a critical eye question the results of the televised athletic events. Recall the voted off contestant who ran a marathon, that is until other race participants ratted out the show for giving him a 3 mile ride so that could film him cross the line. There are instances like the representation of past participants running the 2010 Boston Marathon, yet their bib numbers fail to show as a participant. The 2010 San Francisco Tri where they did some modification to the tri, but not the tri. Then Adas remarkable speed increase after having a GI issue at mile 14. Or Elizibath fessing up on the marathon run that her longest run was 8 miles.
Not saying that any of the participants did anything other than what the producers asked of them. I hope for their sake that they did run the race, and that I as a skeptic am looking at a great performance.
Regardless, for a man who as 400 pounds this time last year to make 26 miles on foot at some 100+ pounds lighter is in fact a very inspiring event.
