People, February 14, 2011

Olympian Rulon Gardner
WRESTLING HIS WEIGHT

He won gold but lost the battle of the bulge. Now the wrestler will try to pin down his food issues on The Biggest Loser
By Jessica Herndon

For Olympic gold medalist Rulon Gardner, being inducted into the Wrestling Hall of Fame last June was a high point in his career. That was quickly followed by one of the lowest moments in his life. When he caught a glimpse of himself on TV later that night, “I was like, ‘I’m so large!’” recalls Gardner. “That was my wake-up call. I didn’t recognize myself. I looked like a guy who had never been an athlete.”

More than just an athlete, Gardner, 39, became an instant American icon at the Sydney Olympics.

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