Warren Austin

Overall Male Winner

Our overall male winner, Warren Austin from Grand Junction, CO made a commitment to a healthier lifestyle after undergoing back surgery. After a long recovery and lowered activity level, the pounds started to add up. Fueled by the motivation from his family and Gold’s Gym staff, he was able to regain his old form from his days with the Marine Corp. “The Gold’s Gym Challenge has helped me to become a healthier person and provided me with the knowledge to remain healthy.” With the help of his trainer, Warren lost an amazing 55 pounds and 12% body fat.

Strength Stats
Weight before: 225
Weight after: 171
Body fat loss: 12%
Goal reached in 3 months

Ladonna Bramwell

Overall Female Winner

Our overall female winner, Ladonna Bramwell from Bountiful, UT used food to cope with the loss of her father.

“(As) time passed I was eating more and more, trying to hide the pain I was feeling.”

And after having her second child, she knew a huge lifestyle change was necessary. Ladonna’s whole family joined the Challenge with her for motivation and it paid off. In just 12 weeks, Ladonna lost 55 pounds, 12% body fat and nearly 12 inches off her waist!

Strength Stats
Weight before: 224
Weight after: 169
Body fat loss: 12%
Goal reached in 3 months

Shane Begley

Male 18-29 Winner

Shane Begley from Simi Valley, CA was the male 18-29 winner of the 2011 Gold’s Gym Challenge. Being a full-time college student with a full-time job doesn’t always make it easy to get to the gym, but Shane wanted to prove to himself, and everyone else, that he could do it.

“(I) wanted to prove that even with the most limited time, a healthy lifestyle can be achieved.”

In just three months, Shane lost nearly 50 pounds and 7% body fat.

Strength Stats
Weight before: 211
Weight after: 165
Body fat loss: 7%
Goal reached in 3 months

Phil Krantz

Male 30-39 Winner

Phil Krantz from Chantilly, WA was the male 30-39 winner of the 2011 Gold’s Gym Challenge. The 35 year old father of three knew that he could get himself back in shape, all he needed to find was the motivation to stay off the couch, and make some time for himself in the gym.

“All it really takes is ‘the want’ to do it…just tell yourself that it is important and do it!”

That determination and can-do attitude paid off for Phil. With the help of his Gold’s Gym trainer he lost an incredible 61 pounds, 11 inches off his waist and 12% body fat in just 12 weeks.

Strength Stats
Weight before: 258
Weight after: 197
Body fat loss: 12%
Goal reached in 3 months

Tami Johnson

Female 30-39 winner

Mary Beth's Strength: Changing her image and her life

Tami Johnson from Clifton, CO was the female 30-39 winner of the 2011 Gold’s Gym Challenge. She wanted to take part in her husband and daughter’s active lifestyle, but was too out of shape to keep up. Tami saw the Challenge as the perfect opportunity to take charge of her life.

“This challenge has made me realize the power I have within myself. If I put my mind to something, I can achieve it.”

In just 12 weeks, with the help of her trainer Tami lost an amazing 61 pounds and 13 inches off her waist.

Strength Stats
Weight before: 258
Weight after: 197
Body fat loss: 9%
Goal reached in 3 months

Angie Berry

Female 40-49 winner

Angie Berry from Wenatchee, WA was the female 40-49 winner of the 2011 Gold’s Gym Challenge. Angie struggled with her weight for most of her life, and was never able to find a routine that worked. After countless diets and fads, she learned that good nutrition and exercise were the keys to a healthy lifestyle.

“I became accountable to myself as I saw so many changes taking shape in my life…it wasn’t all about the weight (loss), it was about sustainable fitness.”

With the help of her Gold’s Gym trainer, Angie lost 12% body fat and 42 pounds.

Strength Stats
Weight before: 205
Weight after: 163
Body fat loss: 12%
Goal reached in 3 months

Stanton Akana

Male 50-59 winner

Stanton Akana from Lindon, UT was the male 50-59 winner of the 2011 Gold’s Gym Challenge. Finding the motivation to get to the gym and lose weight was the biggest hurdle for Stanton to overcome. But once he got into a routine, the results were more than worth it.

“I’m more confident than ever. Not to mention I feel good all over. Plus I have gained a wealth of knowledge about myself, my body, and the choices I will be making for the rest of my life.”

Stanton lost 55 pounds and nearly 14 inches off his waist in just 12 weeks.

Strength Stats
Weight before: 280
Weight after: 225
Body fat loss: 10%
Goal reached in 3 months

Greta Landis

Female 50-59 winner

Greta Landis from East Berlin, PA was the female 50-59 winner of the 2011 Gold’s Gym Challenge. Greta struggled with weight for most of her life. After signing up for the Challenge, she found that it’s not just about losing weight, it’s about a complete life transformation.

“Knowing I needed help regaining my health, I mentally prepared myself for a lifestyle overhaul.”

In just 12 weeks with the help of her trainer, Greta lost 31 pounds and 10% body fat.

Strength Stats
Weight before: 174
Weight after: 143
Body fat loss: 10%
Goal reached in 3 months

George Linderborn

Male 60+ winner

George Linderborn from Pasadena, MD was the male 60+ winner of the 2011 Gold’s Gym Challenge. George found inspiration in the late Jack LaLanne, and at age 72 he proves that you’re never too old to change your life.

“If I can do this at my age, anyone can. This Challenge is the conduit that allowed me to see who I am and what I want to be.”

In just 12 weeks, George lost an incredible 58 pounds and over 12 inches from his waist.

Strength Stats
Weight before: 238
Weight after: 180
Body fat loss: 10%
Goal reached in 3 months

Mary Beth Lloyd

Mary Beth's Strength: Changing her image and her life

Our overall female winner of the 2010 Gold's Gym Know Your Own Strength Challenge, Mary Beth Lloyd from Albany, NY, had never been happy with her appearance.

"I have always been the chubby girl and have wanted to change that image for so long," said Lloyd. "With the help of Gold's Gym trainers, I was able to finally change that identity and discover my true self."

She saw the Challenge has her opportunity to finally reach her goal of feeling better about herself.

With the help of her Gold's Gym trainers, Mary Beth lost 40 pounds and went from 35% body fat to 24% in only three months!

Strength Stats
Weight before: 172
Weight after: 132
Body fat loss: 11%
Goal reached in 3 months

Bryan Darnell

Bryan's Strength: Getting healthy for his family

Our overall male winner of the 2010 Gold's Gym Know Your Own Strength Challenge, Bryan Darnell from Wenatchee, WA, wanted to get out of a rut and not only change his health for the better, but also the health of his family.

"With my commitment to the Gold's Gym Challenge came my desire to achieve a healthier lifestyle. But more importantly, I have instilled this upon my family. The Challenge has helped us as a family, find our inner strength and make the necessary changes we need to live a healthy life."

In just three months, Bryan lost 60 pounds and went from 28% body fat to only 6%!

Bryan made fitness and health a priority, and in turn, has grown closer with his wife and is able to not only keep up with his active children...now he can outlast them.

Strength Stats
Weight before: 210
Weight after: 150
Body fat loss: 22%
Goal reached in 3 months

Julie Benedetto

Julie's Strength: Finding the willpower to improve her life

Julie Benedetto, from Albany, NY, was the female 40-49 winner of the Gold's Gym Challenge. Julie didn't think she could find the motivation to improve her fitness, but with the help of her Gold's Gym trainers she added years to her life.

"I proved not only to myself but to many others that I could lose the weight and get in shape. I now have the self-confidence in my appearance that I never thought I would have"

In just 12 weeks, Julie dropped 47 pounds and lost 10 inches from her waist.

Strength Stats
Weight before: 210
Weight after: 163
Body fat loss: 8%
Goal reached in 3 months

Christopher Prochazka

Christopher's Strength: Regain his health and love of fitness

Christopher Prochazka, from Issaquah, WA, was the male 40-49 winner of the Gold.s Gym Challenge. Christopher let some bad habits affect his health, and used the Challenge as a way to get his life back on track.

"My doctor told me I was on my way to Diabetes. My blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels were very high and I had reached an all-time high weight of over 300 pounds"

With the help of his Gold's Gym trainers, Christopher lost an incredible 68 pounds in only 12 weeks, and now plans to climb Mt. Rainer with his friends.

Strength Stats
Weight before: 303
Weight after: 235
Body fat loss: 22%
Goal reached in 3 months

Karen Lee

Karen's Strength: Regaining her health and confidence

Karen Lee from Wenatchee, WA, was the female 50-59 winner of the 2010 Know Your Own Strength Challenge. After being diagnosed with diabetes and clinically obese, Karen decided it was time to regain her health.

"All I kept thinking was that this was NOT what I wanted for myself or for my family. Rock bottom was coming up hard and fast."

With the encouragement of her friends and trainers, Karen dropped 50 pounds and lost 16% body fat. Her doctor has cut her medications in half, and she feels healthy for the first time in years.

Strength Stats
Weight before: 255
Weight after: 190
Body fat loss: 10%
Goal reached in 3 months

James Zrimsek

James Zrimsek from Waynesboro, PA, was the male 50-59 winner of the 2010 Know Your Own Strength Challenge. James is a retired Navy Chief of 23 years who let some bad habits get the best of him.

"When I heard about the Challenge, I decided to make a serious effort to get myself back into the kind of shape that I enjoyed during my Navy career."

In just 12 weeks, James lost an incredible 65 pounds and 10% body fat. He's now enjoying the feeling of being under 200 pounds for the first time in 15 years.

Strength Stats
Weight before: 255
Weight after: 190
Body fat loss: 10%
Goal reached in 3 months

Constance Bramwell

Constance's Strength: Making a commitment to health

Constance Bramwell was our 60+ female winner of the 2010 Gold's Gym Challenge. She gained over 100 pounds while caring for her sick husband, and was acquiring numerous health problems herself.

"I had become pre-diabetic, had iron deficiency, high blood pressure....my doctor told me to lose weight and exercise."

With the help of her Gold's Gym trainers and her favorite GGX classes, Constance dropped 47 pounds, and lost 10 inches from her waist. Not only that, but she's added years to her life and discovered a love of fitness.

Strength Stats
Weight before: 214
Weight after: 167
Body fat loss: 10%
Goal reached in 3 months

Bill Criscone

Bill's Strength: To turn back the clock

Bill Criscone, from Albany, NY, was our 60+ male winner of the 2010 Gold's Gym Challenge. Bill was able to improve his strength, flexibility and selfconfidence by committing himself to fitness.

"The Challenge proved to me that at the age of 63 years old it.s possible to turn back time and make things better."

Bill lost a total of 43 pounds, and he lost 7 inches from his waist.

Strength Stats
Weight before: 213
Weight after: 170
Body fat loss: 6%
Goal reached in 3 months

Melissa Schwab

Melissa's Strength: Becoming a healthy mom and wife

Melissa Schwab from Wenatchee, WA, was the female 30-39 winner of the 2010 Gold's Gym Challenge. While caring for two small children, Melissa found that she spent no time caring for herself.

"I was well over 200 pounds dressed in a t-shirt and mom jeans. Even the shirt and jeans were getting too small"

With the help of her Gold's Gym personal trainer, she was able to sneak in workouts during her son's naptime and lost 48 pounds in just 12 weeks. She transformed her life, and her family's life, through fitness.

Strength Stats
Weight before: 191
Weight after: 143
Body fat loss: 12%
Goal reached in 3 months

Jean Pierre

Jean's Strength: Working hard to get in shape

Jean Pierre from Simi Valley, CA, was the male 18-29 winner of the 2010 Gold's Gym Challenge. Jean wanted to prove to himself that he could get healthy and commit himself to getting in shape.

"I cannot believe how far I've come since the beginning of this contest...just by following a few simple rules."

In just 12 weeks, Jean lost 45 pounds and is now down to 3% body fat. He's in the best shape of his life, and is determined to keeping up the hard work to maintain it.

Strength Stats
Weight before: 179
Weight after: 134
Body fat loss: 13%
Goal reached in 3 months