BOB’S BRUSH WITH DEATH
The celeb trainer opens up about his terrifying health scare and his “new normal”
Celebrity trainer Bob Harper opens up to In Touch about his shocking heart attack, recovery process and new outlook on life.
When Bob Harper woke up on Feb. 14 in a NYC hospital, he had no idea why he was there. As doctors and loved ones filled him in, he could barely believe his ears: The six-pack-wielding health and fitness expert who gained fame as a no-nonsense trainer on The Biggest Loser ( he’s now the show’s host) had dropped dead after suffering a heart attack during his Sunday morning workout. “I was in full cardiac arrest,” says Bob, 51. “My heart stopped; I was on that ground dead.” Thankfully, two doctors at the gym administered CPR and used a defibrillator before paramedics rushed him to the hospital, where he was put into a medically induced coma for two days before emerging confused — but alive. “When I came out of the coma my family and friends were so happy to see me,” he tells In Touch. He’s since learned that high levels of a genetically inherited type of cholesterol called Lipoprotein(a) led to the attack. The grateful TV personality took time out to talk about facing down death, his new life (and diet!) and how hard it’s been for him to learn to take it easy.
How are you feeling? BH: I’m feeling good. Different. I keep saying I am figuring out a new normal because my life is totally different now.
In what ways? BH: With cardiac rehab, I’m only allowed to do medically supervised workouts. They just recently let me start doing yoga. I asked about a spin class but they said, “We need you to stay away from a room where everyone is supercompetitive and pushing them- selves,” because they know I’ll jump on that same bandwagon.
That must be challenging for someone who’s always been so fit! BH: Working out has been who I am for such a long time. Now I have to find other ways to relieve stress.
Has your diet changed, too? BH: I have to be really aware of what I’m eating. I’m working with wonderful doctors. One is pushing a vegetarian lifestyle and another says Mediterranean is the way to go, so I’m trying to meld those two worlds together.
So you have no memory of the actual heart attack? BH: Right. Eight weeks later I am learning new information about what happened. I know when I came back from the coma I had pneumonia and my chest was really sore from all the compressions — not that I was complaining!
It must’ve been so confusing. BH: I still don’t know how long I went without oxygen, but I know when I woke up my family and friends were relieved to see I was my normal self because they were really concerned I was going to have brain damage.
How has your outlook on life changed? BH: I think the biggest thing is that I’m learning I don’t have to be Superman. It’s a challenge; I’m used to always giving 100 percent and now I’m like, I don’t need to go that far or push that hard to feel good about my life.
What do you like to do to relax? BH: I hang out with my dog, Karl. He’s my best friend! ◼