Meet the newest Biggest Loser trainer!

Lucy Danziger, True to my SELF, SELF Magazine

By Lucy Danziger, Editor-in-Chief,SELF magazine, author,The Nine Rooms of Happiness

Last week's episode of The Biggest Loser revealed the two new trainers who will be taking over for Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper at the ranch. When I learned that one of them was Brett Hoebel who designed a super effective butt-toning workout for SELF magazine not too long ago I jumped at the chance to reach out to him again and ask how he plans to tackle his new job.

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Brett may be new to the TV world, but as someone who lost weight (50 pounds!) and kept it off, he knows a thing or two about how to be successful in body and in life. Read this only if you want to know what's in store for this season's BL contestants!

LSD: How do you relate to the contestants' struggles to lose weight?

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BH: I wasn't born this way. Keeping slim is a lot of hard work. I had emotional issues being an adopted kid that had nothing to do with love, but I didn't look like my parents, and I wanted to fit in with my family. I had wheat allergies, so I wasn't allowed to eat cake, candy, pizza, hot dog buns-I couldn't participate in birthday parties-but I started eating all of those foods. I was using food to get attention. At age 10 or 11, I started putting on weight, and I got pretty fat-I weighed 170 pounds by my freshman year in high school. But when I was about 15, I got tired of it. All of my guy friends were getting attention from girls, but I wasn't, and I had that feeling of being left out again. At that point I became determined to lose the weight. I didn't want to be the last kid to get a date. I stopped eating bad stuff, started training for football, wrestling and lacrosse, and I lost 50 pounds in one year. When a few girls I had grown up with noticed and said, "Brett, whatever you're doing, keep it up," it was the best feeling ever. So I kept it up, I've been slim and healthy since then, and I never looked back.

LSD: So how did you get into the fitness biz?

BH: After college, I was going to the gym regularly but I couldn't afford a membership. They asked if wanted to be a trainer and teach boxing, which wasn't my plan-I was studying for my MCATs and applying to medical school-but I got hired to teach boxing. I had a great time, and that got my foot in the door.

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LSD: At one point you were headed to med school. What brought you back to fitness as a career?

BH: I asked my dad what I should do with my life, and he said: Find something you love to do, and it will never feel like work. I told him I love teaching, so I started teaching boxing and kickboxing full-time. It's like you're a glorified cheerleader. There is a science to training, but not to group fitness: You're either born with the ability to motivate people or you're not.

LSD: What's your signature training style?

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BH: I always start with martial arts. When you're kicking or punching, you tap into your inner fighter, and people need that emotional transformation-it builds discipline and mental toughness and confidence. If you want to lose weight, you have to believe in yourself you have to know you can do it.

LSD: What sets you apart from other trainers?

BH: I really believe that whether you're a fitness professional or not, you have to walk the walk and talk the talk-you have to lead by example. Some people in my business aren't really living what they're preaching, but actions speak louder than words. I do the workouts with the contestants on The Biggest Loser. I do the nutrition program. I'm with them every step of the way.

For motivations from the master trainer Jillian Michaels, click here and begin losing with your free Jump Start Diet today!

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Photo Credit: nbc.com