M&F: Congrats on the new gig. So how’d you land this once-in-a-lifetime job?
JW: Just like everybody else, I went through all the meetings and all the on-camera testing. What was so cool about the process was that they were really interested in my philosophy, my belief system, and what kinds of things I really honor in my training and mentoring. After a couple months I got the call to be a part of The Biggest Loser family, and it’s been a great ride ever since.
What previous work of yours prepared you for this new role?
It would have to be the countless clients that I’ve worked with over the year – ranging from the young to the old, to chicks getting ready for their wedding, to the morbidly obese – I’ve worked with all shapes, sizes and backgrounds. On TheBiggest Loser, everyone needs something specific and custom for them, and working with so many diverse groups of people has prepared me for that.
What do you like best about your role on the show?
It’s hard to pick one thing, but I would have to lean towards my relationship with my team. It’s truly a blast working with them all. These are such incredible people, and to have had the opportunity to build relationships with and mentor them has been an amazing experience. They’ve taught me a great deal as well, and I think that exchange has definitely become my favorite part of the show.
What’s the most challenging aspect of your job as a trainer on the show?
There’s so much pressure to help my team perform so I don’t lose anybody. The hardest part becomes when one of those relationships has to end because they’re not performing well enough to stay on the ranch.
When it comes to your training style, are you more tough, or more love?
This season you’ll see many sides of Jen Widerstrom. I’m very intense. I’m passionate. I’m enthusiastic, and volatile. My personality is very quilted. There are so many patches of me, and so because of that in my training style you are going to see intensity, but you’re also going to see a lot of joy. I try to define what lights people up and then go there with them emotionally to get them on board for what we’re trying to achieve. So am I tough or am I love? I’m both, and you’ll see plenty of each throughout the season.
Don’t let fear take over. What does that mean to you?
If you hold yourself back because you’re afraid of negative outcomes you’re not going to be able to participate in a journey to better your life, because you’re getting in your own way. When you are able to finally do something you’ve always been nervous about and hesitant to do, it’s empowering and exciting. You start to feel a sense of self worth and confidence.
