Sickening truth behind The Biggest Loser revealed as contestant recalls what it was like 'dying' on the show
Despite only having landed on Netflix a matter of days ago, a heartbreaking new documentary about the toxicity of 'weight loss reality TV' has left subscribers outraged.
Titled Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser, the three-episode docu-series not only reveals what went on behind the scenes of the Noughties hit (of the same name), but claims one contestant almost died during filming.
For those unfamiliar with The Biggest Loser, the American show challenged obese or overweight contestants to go head-to-head in a bid to lose the highest percentage of weight over a period of 30 weeks. The winner would then receive an impressive cash prize.
The competition ran between 2004 to 2016, before eventually being axed amid health and safety concerns.
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After speaking to 'physicians and nutritionists', LiveScience reported that 'the show's focus on competitive weight loss is, at best, counterproductive and, at worst, dangerous'.
Despite a disclaimer being shown with every episode, claiming that 'contestants were supervised by doctors while participating in the show', and 'their diet and exercise regimen was tailored to their medical status and their specific needs', several stars of the show have since spoken out.
One of these individuals - who spoke to Netflix as part of a deep-dive into the show's biggest controversies - is Tracey Yukich, who claims the show left her on her deathbed.
What happened to Tracey Yukich?
She appeared as a contestant on the 8th series, believing the show would 'fix' her eating habits.
"The idea of being on The Biggest Loser, I felt like - maybe it would fix my marriage, maybe it would fix me," she tells viewers in the new documentary. "Maybe it would make me a better mom, a better friend."
She continued: "I felt like my weight and everything about it was something that constantly was bringing me down.
"I wanted to change my life and I do feel like at that time that it was, like, my only hope."
During her first challenge on the show, however - which would determine Tracey's spot on the show - she endured a severe blow to her health.
Along with her cast-mates, she was driven to a beach before being told she'd have to run a mile in order to secure her place in the line-up.
She recalled of the task in the new doc: "In my head, I’m like, 'I can run, I’ve got four kids, I’m running after them all the time'. But it was the longest mile, ever."
Several minutes into the run, Tracey says her body started 'to shut down', as her legs began to feel 'like lead'.
In Netflix's harrowing new doc, the mum-of-four can be seen in footage collapsing on the beach, after which she is approached by medical staff.
Being ruled as unresponsive, Tracey was then flown in a helicopter to a nearby hospital.
"I just felt like I was floating," she recalled, adding that she doesn't 'remember a lot'.
"And then my grandpa was there and then I saw darkness but then I saw light, so I knew I died that day."
While being treated at hospital, Tracey discovered that she had rhabdomyolysis, which is described as 'your body’s way of saying "I’m going to shut down on you"'.
She added: "It started with my liver, then it was in my kidneys and then it goes to your heart. And that's where I almost died."
Despite the show's medical team encouraging Tracey to go home, she fought back and demanded to stay on the show.
After this, however, she was ceaselessly pushed by the show's personal trainers, and eventually sided with the on-site medical advisor's advice.
What have Netflix viewers said about the documentary?
Unsurprisingly, disturbed viewers have since taken to social media to express their horror about what producers put contestants through.
"I am watching Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser on Netflix," one explained. "They were barely eating, excersing for 8+ hours a day. Bob and Jillian were crazy."
They added of Tracey: "1 contestant almost died, and Jillian and Bob were pissed she was listening to the doctor instead of exercising. SHE ALMOST DIED!"
Another hit out: "Have y'all seen Fit for TV, the Biggest Loser documentary on Netflix? They had a contestant gain weight before she got on the show. Working out for 8 hours. WHO WORKS OUT THAT LONG?
"One almost died. Trainers ignored the doctor. A lot going on."
Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser is available to watch now on Netflix.
Topics: Netflix, Documentaries, Real Life, Life, True Life, TV And Film, Reality TV
Rhianna Benson