Submitted by Berry College
ROME — Berry College will celebrate the beginning of its 2010 health and wellness initiative, “A New Year A New You,” with a Jan. 26 presentation featuring reality television personality Ali Vincent. Vincent, the woman who inspired millions as the 2008 winner of NBC’s The Biggest Loser, will be speaking at 11 a.m. in the performance arena of the Steven J. Cage Athletic and Recreation Center. Admission is free and open to the public.
Natalie Bates, coordinator of residence life and summer camps and conferences, is the staff member who is overseeing this year’s program. As she sees it, Vincent’s presentation will strike the perfect tone for those participating in the college’s six-week wellness challenge. As part of the initiative, students, faculty and staff will be encouraged to set individual goals and work toward positive change in their lives. Those who choose to do so may track their progress via a dedicated Web page that has been established on the Berry College Intranet.
“Ali Vincent embodies everything ‘A New Year A New You’ is all about,” Bates explained. “She really focuses on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and that’s what we want our students to do.”
Vincent is a former synchronized swimming champion who achieved national prominence while losing 112 pounds during Season 5 of the popular reality series. Her hard work and dedication helped her make history as the first female winner of the show. Today, Vincent is a dynamic speaker, television host, philanthropist and author whose first book, Believe It, Be It: How being the Biggest Loser won me back my life, chronicles her inspirational story and offers tips for other struggling to lose weight and make major life changes.
Vincent has been featured in numerous magazines and on local and national talk shows, including the Oprah Winfrey Show, Ellen and the Today Show. She is a spokesperson for NEXT Designer Whey protein and appears on QVC as a celebrity host. In 2009, she was named one of the “12 Women Who Move the Valley” by Arizona Foothills Magazine. She is also featured in THQ’s newly released The Biggest Loser video game for Nintendo Wii and DS.”
Copies of Vincent’s book will be available for purchase at the presentation. A book signing and meet-and-greet will follow. Her appearance is made possible through the collaboration of several different groups on the Berry campus, including the Student Government Association, Athletes Bettering the Community, the Dean of Students Office, the Health and Wellness Center, student activities and academic affairs.
