From "Biggest Loser" to "Ironman"

BLURB: Alan G. Choachuy shares his life's journey from a hypertensive obese into a fitness ambassador

After his life-changing stint in the reality television show the ""Biggest  Loser" Pinoy Edition" last year,  Archt. Alan Gotauco Choachuy  continued to be an inspiration to others for coming up with what is by far the biggest achievement of his life -- a resounding finish in the Ironman 70.3 Philippines exactly a week ago at Shangrila's Mactan Resort and Spa.

Choachuy completed the grueling race consisting of a two-kilometer open water swim, 90km bike and 21km run around the major thoroughfares of the Queen City of the South in seven hours and 58 minutes, a monumental feat one never imagines he would have attained.

Almost a year ago, Choachuy was a hulking 5-foot-9, 309-pound obese who was taking medication for hypertension. He could barely move, run or do things on his own.

"It was my lifelong dream to join an Ironman competition but because of my condition back then, an overweight in hypertensive condition, it was impossible for me to join," said Choachuy. "So when I was chosen to be one of the BL contestants, I made a promise that after the show that I would continue my journey and will join the Ironman Philippines."

Armed with his newfound health and wellness fervor, Choachuy transformed himself into a living proof that with discipline, fortitude and faith in one's self, nothing is impossible.

"It was a very emotional finish for me. I broke down at the finish line while bringing the Biggest Loser banner with so much pride and joy in my heart," Choachuy shared. He likened his Ironman experience which he likened, in slight jest, to "winning a lottery".

"The first thing that crossed my mind was that this is all for the obese and unhealthy people out there who are thinking that they have no chance to change. I'm a living proof that you can be what you want to be, as long as you put your heart into it. Never in my life did I ever imagine that I can finish a race of such magnitude as Ironman 70.3"

Aside from his family, led by his amiable wife Caroline who had been always been there for him through thick and thin, Choachuy also drew strength from all the trials and hardships he had gone through in the "Biggest Loser" camp.

"My family, my wife Caroline and my children (Micho, Kyle and Alana) are my chief driving forces for all that I have achieved. My other motivation is my journey in the Biggest Loser show, recalling all the hardships I went through while trying to lose weight," said Choachuy.

"I also think of my fellow BL contestants Joy, Eric, Wynwyn, Destiny and others. If I don't make it to the cut-off time, then I will be failing my BL family and people that look up to me as an inspiration," he added.

Upon completion of the lung-busting action considered as one of the toughest and most prestigious triathlon events in Asia, Choachuy truly felt great to bask in the glow of success and at the same time savor the reward for all the sacrifices he made.

"My biggest realization was not the success when I touched down the finish line, but the value of the sacrifice that people and my family had to go through. It's gratifying to know that it's really all worth it," he recalled. "And of course, you should never lose hope. There is always a solution to every problem and to every problem there is a solution."

Now that he has trimmed down into a well-built, 190-pound athletic figure that somehow resembles that of a matinee idol, Choachuy wants to propagate further the Fit-Fil (Fit-Filipino) advocacy of renowned fitness guru Jim Saret as he is an ambassadors.

A licensed architect, Choachuy is used to designing houses and help build them.

Now that he's a certified fitness icon, he is planning to build something. Not a house but a community, a community of people who value the importance of nurturing a healthy lifestyle.

"My ultimate goal is to share what I learned and help build a community of people who have an advocacy in fitness because when you have a community, you can channel it faster in spreading it across the country," he explained. "It is my fervent desire to inculcate in the minds of other people the essence of a healthy living. To accomplish that, I have to lead a 'fit' life in order to inspire others."

And for those who want to follow in his footsteps, Choachuy has some words of wisdom:

"It's all in the mind if you want to be successful in everything you do. You simply have to put your mind and heart into it, but you have to set realistic goals. "You should prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Pain is temporary, but when you quit it will last a lifetime."