Tinicum man crowned TV’s ‘Biggest Loser,’ wins $100G
TINICUM » After months of self-determination, grit, sweat and tears, Jim DiBattista, aka “Coach,” took home all the marbles Tuesday night, winning the crown in Tuesday’s season finale of “The Biggest Loser” on USA Network.
DiBattista, 47, of Essington, is a telecommunications manager and a youth football coach and director of St. Gabriel sports program in Norwood. He started his journey weighing 385 pounds. Through his unwavering hard work with the show’s trainers Erica Lugo and Steve Cook, inspiration from host Bob Harper, cheers from his fellow contestants, and love and support from his wife, Deb, and three sons, DiBattista’s final number on the scale was 241, for a total loss of 144 pounds. The experience garnered him the $100,000 grand prize.
DiBattista beamed, “That final moment on stage – when I knew I was ‘The Biggest Loser’ winner – I looked over at my wife, my three sons and my trainer, Erica, and I had a feeling of accomplishment that I had never felt before in my life. I am so proud that I was able to get it done for all of them; they sacrificed so much for me.”
Although DiBattista filmed the final episode pronouncing him the winner in December, the Delaware County resident was under a confidentiality contract to keep his victory a secret until the show aired on Tuesday.
“I didn’t tell people because I am a man of my word,” DiBattista said. “But I am really proud of my three sons, who took this seriously and also kept the victory under lock and key until this week.”
Asked what he will do with the winnings, DiBatissta said he will first pay Uncle Sam, pay off some other debt, and then be able to absorb some of the college expenses that are on the notso-distant horizon for his three sons. He also hopes to take a much-needed family vacation to one of his favorite spots in the world – the New Jersey shore.
“I hope to rent a house at the Jersey shore for a week or two so my family can stick our toes in the sand,” DiBatissta said. “I would also love for my wife and I to get away to see some blue water at some point.”
After the show aired Tuesday, DiBatissta became a nationwide sensation and spent the better part of Wednesday doing interviewing for TV news and radio programs. However, the grounded local resident has stayed true to his roots, saying he is a through-andthrough “Delco guy.”
He credited the staff at Crossfit Delco in Holmes for helping him lose 39 pounds in 39 days and said he could not have done what he did without the support of his family and all his friends and acquaintances back home in Delco.
He continued, “My time on the show was outstanding. I will cherish the new friendships I made with ‘The Biggest Loser’s’ Erica, Steve and Bob and all of my fellow amazing contestants and the wonderful production crew. ‘The Biggest Loser’ changed my life forever. I am and will always be the show’s biggest cheerleader!”
Megan Hoffman, 35, from Simi Valley, Calif., claimed the “At Home” challenge prize. She managed to lose the most percentage of weight since leaving the show; Hoffman started at “The Biggest Loser” weighing 290 pounds and lost 83 pounds by the time of the final weigh-in. For her achievement, Hoffman was awarded $25,000.
All 12 contestants on “The
Biggest Loser” went home with a year-long membership to Planet Fitness, a personal nutritionist and access to local support groups.
To continue following DiBatissta’s lifestyle changes and journey to good health, follow him at @coachjim52 on Instagram.