Chat with Porter Freeman

September 19, 2001

Read our chat with Director of Body-for-LIFE and '97 Co-Champion, Porter Freeman.

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Submitted by Xochitl Oseguera 10/01

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Meta Description: Read our chat with Director of Body-for-LIFE and '97 Co-Champion, Porter Freeman.

Body-for-LIFE: Welcome to Body-for-LIFE.com's Chats with Champions. Tonight's is the Director of Body-for-LIFE and '97 Co-Champion, Porter Freeman. Porter lost over 50 pounds of fat during his Challenge and has stayed in shape ever since, completely changing his life. He is now the director of the Body-for-LIFE. Hello Porter. Thank you for joining us and spending time with us tonight.

Porter Freeman: Thank you for inviting me. I have to say it's a mixed blessing to be doing this during our country's time of mourning. There are no words to describe our sorrow. EAS has joined thousands of fellow Americans in doing our part to give a helping hand to New York. I speak for all of us here in Golden by saying our thoughts and prayers are with you. One young lady here asked me how to cope with this tragedy. I could only suggest that she live every day of the rest of her life to the fullest and in the best health possible. I asked her if she had one day left on this earth, would she sit around and waste it, or do the things that she had always wanted to do. That seems to be the only answer I can think of. I wonder what the innocent people in New York would do if they had another day and chance. I believe we have to get healthy and get living; if not for us, then for the people who now can't. So I appreciate the chance to speak with everyone tonight, and again, our prayers are with you in New York.

Sierra: Hi Porter, can you tell us how much your dramatic change has affected your life, and do you feel a fitter and better person?

Porter Freeman: It has affected my life 100 percent. Everything in my life improved when I got back in control, and it continues to improve daily. Good and bad things are going to happen to all of us, and there are things in this life we have no control over. But since I did get in control of my health, everything that I come in contact with is better. You would have to do the Challenge or you would have to experience it to really understand it.

Stevie Nicks AU: Once you have achieved your goal, does this new transition and body give you a lot more confidence?

Porter Freeman: Completely! You're confident to try new things. What this Challenge does when you successfully complete the 12 weeks is eliminate the fear you have of either failure or success. Some people are scared of failing, and some people are afraid of succeeding. I mean, when you find out that you can do this and when you see the tremendous improvement, everybody around you sees it, and you get new offers and there are new invitations in life and you begin to do new things. For myself, I would never have tried to ski at 260 lbs. I would have started an avalanche! But this year, I'm not afraid of trying to do it because I have confidence that if I continue to try, I will succeed. So yes, even though you achieve one goal, you set another and you'd be amazed at what you can do if you just try. Wayne Gretzky said you miss every shot you don't take. Take the shot!

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