Mesa resident John Rhode lost 220 pounds and won a quarter-million dollars as this season’s Biggest Loser on NBC’s TV reality show, which aired its final episode on Dec. 13.
According to his wife, Jill, when John, weighing in at 445 pounds, won a spot as a contestant on the show last spring, it was life changing, not just for him, but also for the entire family.
Jill, left home alone with their two sons for most of the summer and fall, gained a new sense of strength and independence. “I became aware of what it’s like to be a military wife or single mom,” said Jill. “We all had to grow and learn new ways of coping with our day-to-day lives, while John struggled through his weight-loss competition.”
During the finale, John voiced his emotional appreciation for the support of his amazing wife and children (who were all wearing Team John T-shirts), saying, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting me do this.” He also acknowledged Jill’s struggle at home as a single parent. She mouthed back, “I love you.”
Participants in the show are cloistered for about the first three months, while they go through the Biggest Loser weight-loss regimen, Jill explained. “Rules of the show only allow contact between contestants and their families by mail. So, it became really difficult to discuss anything with John, and we all missed having him around, his physical and emotional support,” Jill lamented. “It was so hard,” she exclaimed, “I couldn’t even leave the house at night to do the grocery shopping like I used to when John was there.”
In addition, the couple had just adopted a 4 1/2-year-old special needs child from Ukraine the previous summer. According to Jill, although he is very bright, he was unable to talk. She felt even her own background as a speech pathologist wasn’t always enough. Their 8-year-old son had been adopted as an infant from Russia. “And even though he didn’t have the same issues as his brother, it wasn’t a surprise that after a while, the older boy really began acting out about missing his dad,” she acknowledged.
Staying at home with the boys all summer wasn’t as tough, she related, as school was out, her parents came to visit for a while, and her sister lives nearby. But once school started, Jill’s job as a speech pathologist for Gilbert schools began again, the boys were in class, and also involved in football, piano lessons and other activities. Scheduling became a challenge. Jill got a reprieve to work part time at her job, and with the help of her sister and church friends, she worked out a system to handle it all until the show concluded. “Despite all the hardships to the family,” she admitted, “it was worth it.”
“I always knew he would make it,” Jill said. “That was his goal, and he puts 100 percent into whatever he’s doing. His nickname is Never Say Die. I supported his decision entirely, and I know he supports me in whatever I do,” she continued. “We feel like we’re a team in everything. We have the same goals and interests. We have a really good marriage.”
A day just for herself
While watching Mesa contestant John Rhode on the latest NBC TV Biggest Loser reality show, Sandy Barbetta became aware of John’s family story and wife Jill’s situation. Sandy felt Jill could use some pampering and time out for herself. As co-owner with husband Cosmo of Cosmos Salon and Day Spa, Sandy invited Jill to the salon and offered her the complimentary services of herself and her staff to do a complete makeover for Jill.
About a week before the show’s finale, Jill spent almost an entire day at Cosmos, receiving a new hairstyle and color, complete makeup application, wardrobe colorizing ideas, and lots of tips on how to style and care for her new hairstyle and makeup while handling her busy family schedule. KTVK 3TV reporter and anchor Tess Rafols with cameraman Gibby Parr came out to Cosmos to cover the makeover and did an interview with Jill.