Mockery, dangerous weight loss practices and long-term health impacts — “The Biggest Loser” was a TV phenomenon that shaped how Americans view weight.

The new docuseries hit the 2025 TV schedule on Friday, and one of the biggest bombshells came from Season 8 contestant Tracey Yukich. The then-37-year-old collapsed during a mile run on the beach during their first day on the show and had to be airlifted to the hospital. Yukich described what she experienced, saying:

Michaels was a trainer on “The Biggest Loser” for seasons 1, 2, 4-11, 14, and 15. She often motivated contestants by yelling at them or insulting them. In one clip from “Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser,” Michaels pushes a woman to keep exercising even after she vomits on a treadmill.

Rachel Frederickson won The Biggest Loser Season 15 in 2014 after losing a staggering 155 pounds, dropping from 260 pounds to just 105, meaning she’d shed nearly 60% of her body weight over the course of the competition. When she stepped on stage at the finale, viewers, fellow contestants, and even the show’s trainers appeared visibly stunned.