This is a guest post by Sean Voskuhl – State Director, AARP Oklahoma

Growing up in rural Oklahoma, I saw first-hand the importance of Medicare.  Finding accessible and affordable health care was always very difficult.  Many folks had no choice but to purchase a catastrophic/high deductible plan, or they relied on a spouse to get coverage by taking a job in town, or they went without health insurance at all. Simply put, most people gambled and prayed, trying to hold on till they could get on Medicare.

Today, Medicare is the primary health insurance program for the 49 million Americans who are 65 and older.  Roughly, one in four of those beneficiaries are rural residents, and that number will only rise in coming years.  With changing demographics and rising health care costs, Medicare is facing a number of challenges.  Unfortunately, some in Washington believe the only way to address those challenges is to cut Medicare benefits or force seniors to pay more.  No doubt any such changes to Medicare will greatly impact rural America.

Is there a better way?  What about cracking down on waste, fraud and abuse?  The U.S. health system wastes as much as a third of all spending because of inefficient payment systems, uncoordinated care, duplication, over-testing and unnecessary paperwork.  It’s estimated that Medicare could save hundreds of billions of dollars just by reducing waste.  More could be saved by stepping up fraud detection.  In 2011 alone, anti-fraud efforts recovered $4.1 billion.  In October 2012, Medicare Strike Force operations in seven cities led to charges against 91 individuals-including doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals-for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving some $432 million in false billing.  And yet we know much more can and should be done.

Here are some other examples of Medicare fraud that may hit closer to home: a healthcare provider bills Medicare for services you never received; a supplier bills Medicare for equipment you never got; someone uses your Medicare card to get medical care, supplies, or equipment; a company offers a Medicare drug plan that has not been approved by Medicare; or, a company uses false information to mislead you into joining a Medicare plan.

If we want to preserve and protect Medicare for future generations, it’s essential to crack down on fraud and abuse.  The resulting savings will cut costs for families, businesses and the federal government, and increase the quality of services for those who need care. But stopping fraud requires the cooperation of everyone-the federal government, state governments, health care providers, insurers, law enforcement, and even people like you and me.

To learn more about the challenges facing Medicare, and hear what you can do to help stop Medicare fraud, tune in to AARP Live on RFD-TV this Thursday, May 16^th at 9p.m. CT on RFD-TV. I’ll be joined by AARP state director Greg Marchildon (VT), AARP senior advisor Pete Jeffries, and AARP Iowa volunteer Maryalice Larson, all of whom have a first-hand view of the challenges facing Medicare. Let’s find responsible solutions that will keep Medicare strong without shifting the burden of higher health care costs onto seniors and future retirees.

Tune in to AARP Live on RFD on Thursday, May 16^th at 9 pm CST to learn more.

Please join me this Thursday night for AARP Live! on RFD-TV, or watch it streaming live at www.aarp.org/rfd and on Facebook

(click here  for “by zipcode” channel locator) Viewers are encouraged to phone in during the show, 888- 687-2277 toll-free, to share your questions/concerns.

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month and AARP is happy to have The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) as a guest blog contributor. Throughout the month of April MJFF is sharing insight into the Parkinson’s research landscape, advice on living with Parkinson’s and steps you can take to help find the cure in our lifetime.  

Baby boomers are known for revolutionizing everything they touch. In typical hands-on fashion, members of this trailblazing generation are now looking for opportunities to roll up their sleeves and do whatever it takes to ensure that their family members and loved ones will enjoy fulfilling, active and satisfying lives well into their later years. Those living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) (an estimated one million people in the United States — one in 10 over age 60) are no exception. Yet few with or without Parkinson’s know there’s a critical role we all can play to speed research toward new medications — and the higher quality of life that they bring.

Volunteers are urgently needed to participate in clinical research studies that are the final stage of the drug development process before FDA approval. By the time a potential new treatment enters clinical testing, tens of millions of dollars have already been invested in its development. At that point, its movement forward to pharmacy shelves depends on people who have made the decision to participate in a clinical trial.

We need more people to make that decision. Across all diseases, 85 percent of clinical trials face delays because of slow volunteer recruitment. Nearly one-third of trials fail to recruit a single volunteer. When low enrollment in clinical trials stalls the drug development process, new treatments take longer to get to the patients who need them.

To make it easier for everyday people to volunteer for Parkinson’s research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation has built Fox Trial Finder, an online clinical trial matching tool. (We think of it as “Match.com for research.”) Fox Trial Finder matches volunteers, both with PD and without, to research studies in their area that need them.  Creating a profile is as simple as answering three questions and does not commit you to participate in a trial. Privacy is protected by state-of-the-art security protocols.

We’re closer than ever to next-generation medications that will dramatically increase quality of life for countless patients, spouses, and families. Research is making inroads into the problem and brain health is increasingly taking center stage in communities across the country. But speeding cures for Parkinson’s or any disease requires your active participation. To learn more about the urgent need for research volunteers, and to create a profile to participate in Parkinson’s studies near you, visit www.foxtrialfinder.org today.

Also of Interest

• Brain Research and the Search for a Parkinson’s Cure
• Alzheimer’s Ends Glen Campbell’s Touring, But New Album Is Coming
• Join AARP: Savings, resources and news for your well-being

See the AARP home page for deals, savings tips, trivia and more

Photo: BetterThanYourLuckyStar on Flickr

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month and AARP is happy to have

It is an important moment in brain research. New technologies and insights from genetics are changing our ability to pursue elusive treatments for brain diseases that will affect 3 in 5 Americans. The recent announcement of a new Brain Mapping Initiative has captured the imagination of neuroscientists and patients worldwide.

Drug development for Parkinson’s disease (PD) has undergone a renaissance over the past several years. Never before has the drug development pipeline been filled with as many promising PD therapies as today. But the reality is that the most effective PD drug available to patients today — levodopa — was discovered during the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson. Levodopa alleviates only some symptoms of PD while the underlying disease continues to worsen. It also brings disabling side effects. Much work remains to bring new, and better, drugs to pharmacy shelves for the 5 million people worldwide living with the disease. Below is a snapshot of some of the strategic initiatives taking place in Parkinson’s research today:

Stopping the disease in its tracks

In recent years, researchers have made significant strides toward better understanding the biological mechanisms taking place in PD. Knowing more about how the disease works can provide insight into how to build drugs to stop the disease in its tracks. This work has been revolutionized over the past 15 years by critical discoveries made through studying the genetics of Parkinson’s. These discoveries stand to benefit everyone with PD, not just those with relatively rare genetic cases.

A different avenue to curing the disease aims to heal damaged cells in the brain regardless of what causes the disease. The most important work in this area surrounds development of specialized proteins called neurotrophic factors, which promote the development and ongoing health of the brain cells that die in Parkinson’s disease.

A biomarker to aid in the search

Finding a Parkinson’s biomarker is critical to successfully developing experimental treatments into actual drugs. While you may not have heard the term “biomarker,” you are likely familiar with the concept. Consider the use of high blood pressure as a reliable and objective indicator of heart disease — that is a biomarker. By testing blood pressure, clinicians and researchers can understand who is at risk for heart disease, administer appropriate treatments, and learn which drugs are most effective. A biomarker for PD would work exactly the same way, but we need to find it first.

MJFF’s landmark biomarker study, the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), was launched in 2010 with the single goal of finding a biomarker for Parkinson’s disease. A PD biomarker would be a game changer in the search for a cure.

Treating symptoms to improve quality of life

While we’ll stop at nothing in our search for a Parkinson’s cure, MJFF is equally focused on improving symptomatic treatments to improve quality of life for people living with PD today. Traditionally, symptomatic Parkinson’s drugs have focused on replenishing the dopamine neurons that die in the disease. But scientists increasingly believe that next-generation Parkinson’s treatments might bypass the dopamine system altogether.

Today we have a robust pipeline for novel, non-dopamine-based therapies to treat the symptoms and side effects of PD, including dyskinesia (the uncontrollable movements that are a side effect of long-term dopamine replacement). Drug candidates targeting brain chemicals such as glutamate, serotonin and adenosine have returned promising clinical results.

While much work remains to better understand and treat the complex, heterogeneous nature of Parkinson’s, MJFF remains optimistic that with involvement from researchers and PD patients and loved ones, a cure is possible in our lifetime. To learn more about high-impact research and how you can get involved, visit the Michael J. Fox Foundation website.

Photo: Liz Henry on Flickr.

Also of Interest

• Michael J. Fox and His Foundation Spark a Revolution in Parkinson’s Research
• The Brain Initiative: 5 Things to Noodle
• Join AARP: Savings, resources and news for your well-being

See the AARP home page for deals, savings tips, trivia and more

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, degenerative disorder of the central nervous system.  It is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease and is the 14^th leading cause of death in the United States.

Get Your Brain in Shape! Think faster, focus better. Brain Fitness. It’s free to start.

You can learn more about the disease and get your questions answered during AARP’s “Ask The Experts” Live Chat with Mark Frasier, PhD, and Maurizio Facheris, MD, MS of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research this Thursday, April 18 at 2 p.m. ET.  Submit your questions in advance.

Learn more by click the image below:

 Get Your Brain in Shape! Think faster, focus better. Brain Fitness: It’s free to start!

Also of Interest

• Michael J. Fox and His Foundation Spark a Revolution in Parkinson’s Research
• Valerie Harper’s Rare Brain Cancer: What Caused It?
• Join AARP: Savings, resources and news for your well-being

See the AARP home page for deals, savings tips, trivia and more

The following is a guest post by Beau Ballinger, sr. program specialist for AARP ElderWatch in Colorado

Recently I learned the story of an Idaho man who was visiting his 81-year-old widowed mother when he noticed large amounts of cash being withdrawn from her bank account, totaling $26,000. His mother admitted that she had been sending money to Jamaica. She’d been told she had won a $2 million lottery, and all she had to do to collect the prize was pay a few taxes and fees. She even attempted to wire another $15,000, when a representative at the money transfer company intervened, warning her it was a scam, and successfully stopped her from wiring more money.

Sadly, this family’s story is all too common. Foreign lottery fraud is one of the most malicious scams targeting older Americans today. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) claims that lottery and sweepstakes scammers from Jamaica and elsewhere may be stealing more than $1 billion a year from Americans. But the FTC estimates that more than 90 percent of lottery scams go unreported because the victims are too embarrassed or ashamed to file a complaint.

Quiz: How prepared are you to avoid common crimes of the season? Test your scams and fraud IQ

At AARP ElderWatch in Colorado, a program with the Colorado Attorney General and the AARP Foundation, we have received 319 complaints related to these scams over the past five years. The majority of folks did not respond to the scams, which is a great thing. However, 21 percent of those approached by the scammers fell victim with reported losses as little as $20 and as much as $250,000. The estimated total amount lost during the five-year period is $786,406, and the average age of the victim was 75.

If you’re concerned about protecting yourself or loved ones from foreign lottery and similar scams, or learning more about the red flags associated with these scams, I encourage you to tune in to AARP Live! on RFD-TV  Thursday, April 18, 8 p.m. MT/9 p.m. CT/10p.m. ET, where AARP panelists will offer advice on how you can protect yourself from this type of fraud.  One of the panelists, Nancy Mahoney, is a long-time AARP ElderWatch volunteer in Colorado who will share her experience in providing assistance to peers who have called in to the AARP ElderWatch hotline after being exposed to this scam.

As Nancy knows, it is very difficult for agencies to track down money that is wired overseas, so most people who respond to foreign lottery scams will never see their money again. As she has told many callers, no legitimate sweepstakes requires you to pay a fee upfront to collect your “winnings”, and you should never wire or send money to anyone, anywhere who says you’ve won a prize.

Joining Nancy on-set will be AARP Indiana State Director June Lyle, Oklahoma State Director Sean Voskuhl and Vermont State Director Greg Marchildon.

Please tune it to for AARP Live! on RFD-TV,  Thursday, April 18, or watch it streaming live at www.aarp.org/rfd and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aarp (click here  for “by zip code” channel locator). Viewers are encouraged to phone in during the show, 877-731-6733 toll-free, to share your questions/concerns.

Photo: Adam Jones, Ph.D. – Global Photo Archive on Flickr

Also of Interest

• Protect Your Parents from Financial Fraud
• Staggering Stories of Jamaican Lottery Scams
• Join AARP: Savings, resources and news for your well-being

See the AARP home page for deals, savings tips, trivia and more

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month and AARP is happy to have

Kicking off Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Michael J. Fox graces the April cover of AARP The Magazine. He shares his signature sense of humor and optimism with AARP readers:

“There’s an idea I came across a few years ago that I love. My happiness grows in direct proportion [to] my acceptance and in inverse proportion to my expectations.”

Michael’s optimism and get-it-done approach led him to found The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) in 2000, which Foundation CEO Todd Sherer, PhD says lit a fire under Parkinson’s research:

“The attention Michael has brought to Parkinson’s research has sparked a complete revolution. Pharmaceutical companies are more focused than ever on finding treatments quickly, and curing PD is job one for some for the best minds in neuroscience”

Get Your Brain in Shape! Think faster, focus better. Brain Fitness. It’s free to start.

While the Foundation is making important progress in its pursuit of medical breakthroughs for Parkinson’s disease, we can’t do it alone.  Michael talks about Fox Trial Finder (www.foxtrialfinder.org), a user-friendly Web site that connects willing volunteers, with Parkinson’s and without, to clinical trials that need them the most:

“The more people get involved in trials, the quicker our work carries on, and accelerates research down the pathway to the bedside.”

Keep on the lookout each week in April for our series of guest blog posts that will lay out what Parkinson’s disease is, the state of Parkinson’s research today, and how patients and their loved ones can play an active role in speeding a cure. AARP will also host an online “Ask the Expert” chat on Thursday, April 18, when members of the Foundation’s research staff will answer your questions about Parkinson’s disease.

We hope you’ll join us this Parkinson’s Awareness Month.

Also of Interest

• Ibuprofen May Protect Against Parkinson’s Disease
• One in Three Older Adults Dies with Dementia
• Join AARP: Savings, resources and news for your well-being

See the AARP home page for deals, savings tips, trivia and more

• People with Medicare now get a 52.5% discount on brand-name drugs and a 21% discount on generics. People are already seeing a lot of savings.
• Medicare has a free initial checkup and a free yearly wellness checkup.
• Medicare also covers preventive care for free.
• For people with insurance, free preventive and wellness benefits such as cancer screenings, blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol tests, and flu and pneumonia shots.
• Insurance companies cannot drop your insurance if you’ve paid your premium.
• Children are allowed to stay on their parents’ health insurance plans till age 26, even if they are married.

So that’s some pretty good stuff. But that’s not the end of it. The next few years will see further improvements to the public health landscape. Here a few things waiting for us in the future:

• The health insurance marketplaces are opening in October 2013. These will offer a one-stop shop for people to compare different plans from different insurers.
• The dreaded “doughnut hole” will continue to close, completely shutting by 2020.
• Insurance companies will be banned from putting annual limits on health coverage.
• Insurance companies can’t deny health coverage because of a preexisting condition.

11 Myths About Health Care Reform

This is just a brief glance at the ACA over the past few years and some things to come. You can find out more about benefits unique to you and how to access them by checking out our Health Law Guide. For anyone concerned about the doughnut hole, we have a huge mug of coffee in the form of a calculator that will provide you with the info you need.

The following is a guest post from Joe Ostaszewski of  “

The FINALE … or is it?

Just a few short months ago, 18 individuals, 15 adults and 3 youths, won the chance to compete on Season 14 of The Biggest Loser.  These 18 Winners were chosen from tens of thousands of applicants who each recognized their own serious health issue and elected to make a positive change.  Hopefully, most of these applicants became part of the “Challenge America” wave and are well on their way to their own personal victory and a healthier lifestyle.  For anyone who did not, it’s never too late and there is tons of support available; ranging from comprehensive online programs like www.nbc.com/the-biggest-loser, to self-help books, gyms, community events and supportive family, friends and mentors.  I encourage each person to take the first step, then another, and another and savor the sweet taste of success!  I DID IT and SO CAN YOU!

I am Joe and was one of the 15 adults chosen for Season 14.  We arrived morbidly obese and we each had a story to tell as to how and why we had become so. Over the many weeks leading up to tonight‘s finale we learned that, although our stories had many differences, they also had many similarities. My path crossed briefly with some contestants and I walked further down the path with others. I was inspired by everyone’s commitment to change their life and was further motivated to do the same. In the beginning, I celebrated every success as a “cheerleader” and cringed at the failures. As the weeks progressed, bonds were formed and each person challenged me to look within far more honestly than I’d ever done before. My compassion and respect deepened and I began celebrating successes with true happiness in my heart and seeing failures as opportunities. Many times throughout my life I had heard those words, “failures as opportunities”, but it was this experience that truly helped me understand them.

Heartfelt Congratulations to Danni, the Winner of Season 14! She worked incredibly hard to push through her fears, achieve this monumental goal and transform her life. I couldn’t be more proud of her! She has inspired many but none as special as her Dad. He too accepted the challenge and is well on his way to reaching a healthy weight. It is my sincerest hope that they have many happy and healthy years together as their bond is one in a million. Jeff, you may have gotten second place by a pound but you are second to none! I will always remember that clip of you and your friends in the restaurant back home when they were chowing down on all your old favorites, pizza, burgers, fries and there may even have been a rack of ribs. What a fork in the road. The look of your face was priceless and heart wrenching at the same time. Rather than resenting them and feeling sorry for yourself, you summoned up strength and resolve and chose what was right for you. Amazing!

And then there’s my new life-long friend Jackson! You have come so far at such a young age, it’s simply astounding! I think you’re just beginning to see the impact you have on others. You are caring and humble and have a strength of character that is formidable.  At the Finale, and possibly for the first time ever, you truly looked comfortable “in your own skin” … not to mention you 100% ”rocked” that suit!  Jackson, you have touched many and will touch thousands more. Follow your heart and dream big!  Lastly, I want to give a big “Shout Out!” to Gina.  I remember an earlier clip of Gina, at home for her “Reveal“, in which she commented how sad being overweight had made her feel and what a joy it was to receive the praise and support from her family and friends.  Well, after being eliminated soon after her return to the show, Gina continued to fiercely fight for her goal and it sure paid off!  What an accomplishment!

Tonight, as the finale unfolded, I realized that this was the end. The end of Season 14 and, for me, a life “half-lived.” At that same moment, I also realized that it was the beginning of a new path, one filled with health, energy and opportunities beyond my wildest dreams. My twin brother Henry and I had actually accomplished what we had set out to do … to lose weight and become healthy. Me on Season 14 of The Biggest Loser and Henry at home, in yet another one of our many “head to head,”  “toe to toe”, “battle-royal”, “O-Bro” competitions. Throughout our football careers we were big, tough defensive tackles. Champions several times over. In this “healthy lifestyle” challenge, we applied the same focus and discipline that we’d used on the gridiron and ended up celebrating the sweetest victory of all. Henry and I each lost over 40% of our body mass and together we lost what amounted to a third defensive tackle. Hard to believe but, yes, a whole other person … and a BIG ONE at THAT!

A few years ago Henry and I cofounded the Wear Your Soul Foundation. Our mission was, and is, to help fight obesity, the most serious pandemic disease plaguing our country today.  Eliminating obesity is the cornerstone of a vibrant and productive society and our foundation has joined the legion of others in the quest to vanquish this menacing monster!  The Wear Your Soul Foundation strives to pair overweight youth with athletes/mentors and motivating them, along with overweight adults, to GET UP! … GET OUT! (doors that is) … and MOVE!  Season 14 was exciting in that this was the first time that young adults were included in the show.  I was impressed beyond words by the “Amazing 3″ chosen to participate, Sunny, Lindsay and Biingo.  Each was carrying quite a load, so to speak, as they dealt with the impact of severe weight issues on top of the “31 flavors” of teenage questions and concerns.  Throughout the season, each found their footing, blossomed and became realistic role models for their peers.  Henry and I look forward to working with them and others to build a “community coalition” to “pound down” the obesity epidemic in this country.

As Henry and I expand the Wear Your Soul Foundation’s platform and outreach, we can truly say to anyone struggling with weight issues, “we have walked in your shoes.” I am forever grateful for the amazing opportunity I’ve had to be a part of  The Biggest Loser. As I go forward, I embrace life with every intention to live each day as healthy, happy and authentically as possible. The successes I’ve had, and the lessons I’ve learned, will surely allow me to see any future failures as opportunities for more wisdom and “wins.” So, to each of you, take one step towards a goal of your own … now take another step … then another … and soon you too will be a winner! … GET UP! … GET OUT! … MOVE! … I am Joe … If I Can Do It … So Can You!

Good-bye & hello & remember to Wear Your Soul!

Joe Ostaszewski

The following is a guest post by Dennis Eisnach – AARP South Dakota volunteer president

What Makes A Community Livable for a Lifetime? 

The following is a guest post from Joe Ostaszewski of the Biggest Loser. Look for his posts here every Tuesday after the show.

Week 11 … “Winning”. Not a surprising theme given that this was the last show before the Finale of The Biggest Loser, season 14. Hard to believe that, just a few short months ago, we all arrived at the Ranch, hungry for a big change in our lives, a forever change. As a group and individually, we likely had similar goals: to lose weight, learn how to live a healthy lifestyle, WIN the competition. On so many levels, “winning” is ingrained in the very fabric of our lives. So much so, that I doubt many of us have ever paused to reflect on what that word actually means. Most of those who have, likely considered it just from their own individual point of view. Fewer still, have considered what this word also means collectively.

Last week I talked about how my focus on competition began in the womb when both my twin brother Henry and I were shocked to find out we each had a “roommate”! Henry and I went “head to head” the entire time we were growing up and throughout our athletic careers. As football players, we heard over and over the famous Vince Lombardi quote “winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing”. For most of our lives this was our guiding principle, not only in sports but in life, and we were very successful. Over the years, bit by bit, and bite by bite, Henry and I each put on so much weight that our health was in grave danger. Because it happened slowly, we had time to fine tune our excuses and rationalizations and “busy up” our lives to the point we would deal with losing weight later … you remember, “manana”. Many people don’t get a final warning just before the body “throws in the towel” and slaps you to the floor with the message “change or die”. Henry and I got lucky. As we waited in the hospital to find out if our Dad would survive another heart attack, we each had a moment of clarity about being morbidly obese and that time was running out for us to make a positive change.

I mentioned last week that Henry talked about us trying out for The Biggest Loser as twins. We both knew we had to step up and do something to change our lives for the better, for ourselves, our family and our friends. We made a pact then and there to get healthy and, if we made it on the show, all the better. Even though Henry wasn’t picked for the show, our pact was solid and we salivated at the thought of such an epic battle … “head to head” weight loss … me on the show, Henry at home, Challenge America! “The O Bros” going toe-to-toe! Bring It On! We soon realized that this format was a perfect parallel for real life. Eventually, every person leaves the comfort of a structured program, their “Ranch”, or whatever “safety net” they may have had. At this critical “fork in the road”, they can choose to slide back into old destructive patterns or to step boldly forward and make the healthy choices that lead to a happy and successful life.

A case could easily be made that those of us on the Ranch had it easier than Henry and the thousands not chosen because of the structure, the extensive resources, and the fact that those monstrous temptations were held at bay. The truth is that, no matter where you are, it takes a deeply personal commitment to change, discipline and finding the support to carry through the difficult times. This last piece brought about an “unexpected dividend” from being a part of The Biggest Loser … more on that in a minute. I just want to take a moment and acknowledge my brother Henry for his commitment and dedication to the “healthy lifestyle” pact that we made and his success in losing over 120 pounds. Because of this, he now has a much better chance at sharing many more years with his children and family. I too have lost over 120 pounds. Together, Henry and I are “walking the talk” that gives our Wear Your Soul Foundation the “street cred” that we are serious warriors in the fight against childhood obesity.

Okay, back to the “unexpected dividend” I mentioned a moment ago. My experience on The Biggest Loser totally redefined my thoughts about what it means to “win”. More “Aha” moments in that I came to better understand two of Vince Lombardi’s other well-known quotes, “Winning is not everything but making the effort to win is” and “people who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses, or the problems of modern society”. Of course, it goes without saying, that winning the title of “The Biggest Loser” would be awesome, not to mention the money. Henry and I could do a great deal of good with it as we expand the Wear Your Soul Foundation’s outreach and impact. That being said and whether I win or not, I am far richer from the experience and the knowledge gained than money could buy. I have learned so much about myself … to be more mindful of my thoughts and actions … to reward my successes from within … to praise others and celebrate their triumphs … to lift up another … receive help when I’m struggling … to be humble … to inspire and be inspired … and, most of all, to be sincerely grateful for all that I have and all that I’ve yet to receive. That to me is “winning”.

In a little more than a week, all of us will be at “home”, faced once again with “ALL OF THAT” that is our daily lives. The choices we make determines our future. I am fully committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and inspiring others to do the same. Tonight, during the weigh-in, Bob chose to “motivate” me by minimizing my 5 lb. success and told me/America that “he has seen me with my shirt off and I still have a lot of fat to loose”. Rather than feel shamed, I dug deep within myself and made the conscious choice to be proud of each success, no matter how small for each is a step that gets me closer to my goal. To myself and anyone else who will listen, I say, “forget the failures and excuses and make the effort to win and you will win. Wow, Vince got it right after all!

Please know that I’m unbelievably grateful for the unwavering support that I’ve received from my fellow Contestants, those connected with The Biggest Loser, my family, friends, The Seminole Nation, and the thousands of people across America. Along with my weight loss, this makes me a “WINNER” no matter where I finish on the show. Given that I’m not one of the final two Contestants, I’d be forever grateful for one last bit of support. I’m at the “goal-line” with inches to go to score a touchdown … launch me into the Finale as America’s favorite by casting your vote at: http://www.nbc.com/the-biggest-loser/vote/

Tonight, I leave you with a quote from Winston Churchill that best sums up my experience on The Biggest Loser and provides motivation and inspiration for anyone choosing to make the changes necessary to live a rich and full life …

“This is not the end,
this is not even the beginning of the end,
this is just perhaps the end of the beginning.”
Winston Churchill

IAmJoe ~ if I can do this, so can YOU…

Wear Your Soul,
Joe O.