Bernie Salazar's journey on "The Biggest Loser: Couples" started as half of the only pair who did not know each other before the show began.

He was teamed up with complete stranger Brittany Aberle, while the other participants partnered with family or friends.

Bernie was eliminated in Week 10; Brittany held on for two more weeks.

But while home in Chicago, even though he lived only a few blocks away from the local bakery that named a dessert after him (Bernie's Boston Cream Pie Cupcake), he was able to stay away from the pastries and lose a total of 130 pounds (46 percent of his weight) to win the $100,000 "At-Home" prize.

Since the show ended, he's dedicated his life to educating people about wellness.

He is also a marathoner, running dozens of races a year, including the 2008 Chicago Marathon (he ran it in 4:15:59), and he's in training for 2009.

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