At the ripe young age of 14, Bigg Vinny moved out and decided that being homeless was a far better life than the negative environment he was in and the emotional and physical abuse that was endured from his stepfather. Shortly after, he started his first job as a cook and dishwasher at Sonic Drive-In.
Over the next year, he worked his way to the top, becoming the General Manager of one of the top four Sonics in the nation. This success gave him the tools and confidence needed to reach for his ultimate dream — music. He had always had a passion for singing & songwriting, so after three years at Sonic, he made the decision to move to Nashville. Everyone said, “You’ll never make it in the music industry because you are too fat.” At 400lbs, he held his head high and said GO GET IT! Within a year, he started the band, Trailer Choir, with two fellow musicians and friends, signed a publishing deal, got a record deal, and was on a major tour with the living legend, Toby Keith.
Life seemed like it couldn’t get any better…He was living the dream and every goal he had set for himself, he’d achieved – until February of 2011. A harsh reality set in when he was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, and was told that he would only have two years to live if he didn’t drastically change his lifestyle. In addition to the diabetes, he had liver and kidney problems. His triglycerides were over 500 and he literally had fat running through his veins. Doctors said it would be nearly impossible to lose the weight on his own and suggested he get gastric bypass surgery as soon as possible. All of the odds were against him, but his heart and hard head said again, GO GET IT! He lost 211lbs in six months, without the use of diet pills or any kind of medication. He did it all through hard work and dedication, and of course the help of The Biggest Loser.
Bigg Vinny was in the final four on NBC’s The Biggest Loser Season 12. During his journey, he faced giants from the NFL, he took on the disease of diabetes and in six weeks defeated it! He climbed mountains, endured harsh weather and ran a marathon in Death Valley. He put his body through the ultimate test and was tempted to quit every day, but every time doubt entered his mind, he closed my eyes and said to himself just GO GET IT and he did! He is currently one of the few contestents on the show who has kept the weight off and maintained a healthy lifestyle.
Now, life is better than ever, representing Labrada Nutrition as a Health and Fitness Specialist, touring with Trailer Choir, writing songs for other artists like Canaan Smith, Montgomery Gentry, Hinder…just to name a few and making music and launching his first solo artist Project as BIGG VINNY. New music coming Spring 2018.
Over the next year, he worked his way to the top, becoming the General Manager of one of the top four Sonics in the nation. This success gave him the tools and confidence needed to reach for his ultimate dream — music. He had always had a passion for singing & songwriting, so after three years at Sonic, he made the decision to move to Nashville. Everyone said, “You’ll never make it in the music industry because you are too fat.” At 400lbs, he held his head high and said GO GET IT! Within a year, he started the band, Trailer Choir, with two fellow musicians and friends, signed a publishing deal, got a record deal, and was on a major tour with the living legend, Toby Keith.
Life seemed like it couldn’t get any better…He was living the dream and every goal he had set for himself, he’d achieved – until February of 2011. A harsh reality set in when he was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, and was told that he would only have two years to live if he didn’t drastically change his lifestyle. In addition to the diabetes, he had liver and kidney problems. His triglycerides were over 500 and he literally had fat running through his veins. Doctors said it would be nearly impossible to lose the weight on his own and suggested he get gastric bypass surgery as soon as possible. All of the odds were against him, but his heart and hard head said again, GO GET IT! He lost 211lbs in six months, without the use of diet pills or any kind of medication. He did it all through hard work and dedication, and of course the help of The Biggest Loser.
Bigg Vinny was in the final four on NBC’s The Biggest Loser Season 12. During his journey, he faced giants from the NFL, he took on the disease of diabetes and in six weeks defeated it! He climbed mountains, endured harsh weather and ran a marathon in Death Valley. He put his body through the ultimate test and was tempted to quit every day, but every time doubt entered his mind, he closed my eyes and said to himself just GO GET IT and he did! He is currently one of the few contestents on the show who has kept the weight off and maintained a healthy lifestyle.
Now, life is better than ever, representing Labrada Nutrition as a Health and Fitness Specialist, touring with Trailer Choir, writing songs for other artists like Canaan Smith, Montgomery Gentry, Hinder…just to name a few and making music and launching his first solo artist Project as BIGG VINNY. New music coming Spring 2018.
