Shivangi Sinha
In Netflix’s ‘Fit For TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser,’ former contestants of NBC’s ‘The Biggest Loser’ opened up about their time on the show. While all acknowledged the intensity of the competition, several also shared stories of difficult and disheartening experiences. Among the most candid voices was Ryan Benson, the winner of the very first season. Having been part of the show during its early years, when it was still finding its footing and rapidly gaining popularity, Benson reflected on the broader concepts behind the program and questioned whether those methods ultimately benefited him in the long run.
Ryan Benson Faced Many Health Challenges on The Biggest Loser
Ryan Benson was an aspiring actor when he first heard about a new reality TV series called ‘The Biggest Loser.’ He knew very little about the show but decided to give it a try, imagining it as a kind of retreat where he could focus solely on losing weight. The reality, however, turned out to be far more intense. In the beginning, Benson thought his main goal was simply to improve his health, but that quickly shifted to winning at all costs. He adopted extreme measures, including surviving for days on a concoction of squeezed lemon juice, cayenne pepper, and maple syrup, and going hours without eating. The contestants, he claimed, were training like professional athletes, and the physical demands began to take a toll on him.
As the competition neared its end, Benson pushed himself even harder. In the final days, he became severely dehydrated in an effort to lower his weight, at one point noticing blood in his urine. Despite the health risks, his strategy worked, and he lost the most weight and won the first season. However, Benson’s post-show journey was difficult. He admitted that he quickly regained the weight, and at a much faster pace than before. He alleged that contestants, especially in the early seasons, were set up for failure and that the format often played as a joke on them rather than a true health initiative. While he said his own time on the show was far from positive, he acknowledged that later seasons evolved to become more inspiring. He did not dismiss the stories of those who found lasting success through the program, but added that for him the experience remained a cautionary tale about the pressures of reality TV.
Ryan Benson Holds an Executive Position at Lionsgate Today
When Ryan Benson first stepped into the spotlight on ‘The Biggest Loser,’ his day-to-day life looked very different from the grueling reality of weight loss competitions. At the time, he was already building a steady career in the entertainment industry, working at MGM Home Entertainment as Manager of Technical Services. This role placed him at the heart of the home entertainment boom, ensuring films and television shows were delivered in top technical quality to audiences worldwide. In 2006, he joined Sony Connect as Manager of Video Content. Here, he helped oversee the growing digital content space at a time when streaming was still in its infancy.
His ability to adapt to industry changes led him to Genius Products in March 2007, where he served as Director of DVD Production and Digital until January 2009. Benson’s expertise then took him to Summit Entertainment, where he worked as Executive Director of Technical Services in Home Entertainment. This role allowed him to work closely with blockbuster releases and develop strategies for content distribution in a rapidly changing marketplace.
Since April 2012, he has been at Lionsgate, serving as Senior Vice President of Global Content Delivery. In this capacity, Benson oversees the end-to-end process of delivering films and TV shows to global audiences, coordinating across teams to ensure technical excellence, timely releases, and smooth distribution across multiple platforms. A graduate of Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, he has combined his creative roots with technical expertise to make a lasting career in the ever-evolving content landscape.
Ryan Benson Deeply Cherishes the Time He Spends With His Family
The image of Ryan Benson as a devoted family man reflects exactly who he is today. Now based in Los Angeles, California, he shares his life with his wife, Mariah, and their three young children, Billy, Grace, and Gwen. While still particular about his health, Ryan says his approach has shifted over the years. He is now more educated, focusing on maintaining wellness in a way that’s sustainable and balanced, far removed from the extremes of his former days. One of the values he emphasizes most in parenting is fostering a healthy relationship with body image. He and Mariah are intentional about raising their children to be comfortable in their own skin, encouraging them to appreciate who they are regardless of appearance.
The family bonds over traditions, both quirky and heartfelt. Every year, they bake a ‘Star Wars’ themed cake together, and it has become a much-loved ritual. In 2024, he attended a Beyoncé concert, which he was especially excited for. That same year, along with his wife and two daughters, he got matching “B” tattoos. Billy has promised to join in on the tattoo tradition when he turns 18. Ryan also makes it a point to be present for his children’s activities, whether that means attending their sports games or taking them to professional matches. In December 2024, the whole family went ice skating and has taken many such relaxing vacations over time. All of them enjoy the time they have with one another and Benson makes sure there are plenty of them.
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