Oprah: OWN

 

On July 9, 2010 I submitted my application to be part of a show about eating disorders for the OprahWinfrey Network, OWN.

The name of the show is called “ADDICTED TO FOOD”. This is a 8 part mini documentary series about eating disorders. This program follows 8 people as they go through their own personal eating disorder journey. The show premired on OWN April 5, 2011. The 8 part seris aired thru May 25, 2011.

The Back Story:
I have been struggling with my weight for years. The past 20 years my weight has just inched it’s way up, pound by pound. I’d start a diet and a few days or weeks later I’d be off of it. I’d loose 20 pounds then gain 30. Then I’d try another diet and loose 40 pounds, only to regain 50 pounds a short time later.

It has been a never ending roller coaster ride, not only physically but emotioanlly as well. In May of 2010 I tipped the scales this past year at 360 lbs!

YES, “360″ freakin’ pounds! It would be one thing if I was 7ft. 2inches. But the fact is, I’m 5ft. 6 inches.

Bottom line, I became OBESE. There, I said it.
The past 10 years I’ve had many people offer to help me with my health and my weight. However, I always responded,”I’ve got it handled”. I now know that was a crock of crap and I have been in denial. I’ve been in denial for over 20 years and the fact is, some of my family and most of my friends knew it.

Yes, I became OBESE. The past 15 years I got to be known as the fat funny guy. Well this past year I realized it was NO LONGER funny! I wasn’t laughing any more.

In early July of 2010 I received a unique phone call from a friend and guitar fan. His name is Scott Lamm. We met while I was performing at a Robert Allen/Mark Victor Hansen event in LA in 2004. He knew I had been struggling with my weight for years. He was truly one of my number 1 guitar fans.

Scott Lamm called me in early July 2010 and said, “Robby, I want to save your Life”. I asked, “Is this another multi level marketing product?” He assured me, it was not.

On that phone call, Scott asked me one question, “Robby would you be willing to share your eating and weight problems on film and in exchange, you will get treatment at one of the top eating disorder clinics in the world. I asked, “Do you really think it could help me?” He said, “Robby, I think it will save your life”. He told me to apply for the show, I trusted him and I applied.

Bottom Line…4 weeks after that phone call, august 8, 2010 I found myself in Buffalo Gap, Texas at one of the leading eating disorder clinics in the world, called “Shades of Hope”. I was there for over 6 weeks.

I shared this experience with 7 other unique and courageous people. Cameras were rolling every waking hour. This was NOT a vacation. This was INTENSE REHAB! I have come to learn that food can be as addictive and dangerous as any other drug. Funny thing is, I haven’t done any drugs in years and rarely even drink. My drug of choice has been food. Massive amounts of food.

The Good News…
I got my life back! One year ago I was a Heart Attack waiting to happen. Now my health and weight are on track. Over the coming months I will be sharing more about my experience at Shades of Hope and about my progress.

http://www.oprah.com/own-addicted-to-food/Robby-LeBlanc-Bio-OWN-TV

http://www.oprah.com/own-addicted-to-food/addicted-to-food.html

Addicted To Food Video Clip – Robby Gets a Medal:  The Network may have a 15 second advertisment before the clip.

 

Addicted To Food:”I Have a Right TO Be Angry”

 

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