Christine Theiss
How is "The Biggest Loser" going under Corona conditions?
Christine Theiss moderates the weight loss show "The Biggest Loser".
© SAT.1_Arya Shirazi
The new season of "The Biggest Loser" runs under strict Corona conditions. Christine Theiss reveals more details in an interview.
"The Biggest Loser" starts a new round on January 3, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. (thereafter every Sunday from 5:30 p.m. on Sat.1). Former kickboxing world champion Dr. Christine Theiss (40, "Pimp your Running") takes on the moderation once more and is also back as the camp manager. However, the coronavirus presents candidates and coaches with some new challenges. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, she reveals what changes the twelfth season brings and why Theiss has been loyal to the weight loss show for years.
Ms. Theiss, in 2021 you will again be the head of camp at "The Biggest Loser". How do you deal with the corona pandemic on set?
Christine Theiss: We have two strictly separate groups that are only allowed to contact each other under strict AHA rules. I myself am in a group with the candidates, the trainers and the doctor. Even stricter rules apply to us, including regular tests, so that we can act with one another in front of the camera without a mask or distance. Of course, we are also very disciplined and careful behind the camera and in private life to protect our candidates.
Do you or the candidate find the conditions a little more difficult?
Theiss: For the candidates themselves, it primarily made no difference in the camp, but they came from one extreme situation, the lockdown and the insecurity at home to the next. That meant an additional challenge for our candidates this year and not everyone got along with it.
Fitness studios may still be closed after the show has ended. What is your advice to candidates to stay disciplined when training at home?
Theiss: You can keep fit without a gym, I've only been training for myself for a long time now. You always have to set specific goals and then it becomes much easier with the discipline. In addition, our candidates can of course always contact our trainers or me.
For you it is now the twelfth season. Why have you stayed true to the format for so many years?
Theiss: Because I love accompanying people when they want to change their lives. The task has not lost its appeal after all these years. On the contrary, as my experience grows with each season, I can personally contribute a lot more. Yes, of course the stories repeat themselves over time, but each person is unique and much more than just his story. I also really enjoy working with the people behind the camera, we have a great team.
Are there any former candidates that you are still in contact with?
Theiss: Yes, of course. In principle, thanks to social media, it is no problem at all for all candidates to stay in contact with me. But if you don't want to, I won't run after you.
Who has impressed you most from the past few seasons?
Theiss: Everyone who manages to give their life a completely new direction and break out of this vicious "excess weight" cycle has my greatest respect. Because that is anything but easy. Of course we offer the stirrups, but in the end the candidates have to sit up and ride off alone.
Were there any candidates who fell back into their old pattern after the show?
Theiss: Of course, we can't do magic either. And mostly we already know during the season who will be among the candidates who unfortunately don't make it. There is a lack of initiative and perseverance, which is often related to an unsolved basic problem, which we were not able to get out of the world within our limited time frame. In addition, a candidate must give us the opportunity to work with them to find the cause.