Abby Rike
- Contestant on NBC's hit television reality show, "The Biggest Loser"
- Author of "Working It Out: A Journey of Love, Loss, Hope & Health" (Spring 2011)
- Former High School Drama Teacher for 13 years
As a Biggest Loser contestant from Texas, Abby Rike continues to inspire people with the story of her journey on one of NBC’s hit reality TV series. She started off on the show weighing 247 pounds, but by the finale weighed in at 147 pounds. Abby Rike faced an unfathomable tragedy in October 2006 before
read the restBiggest Loser contestant, Abby Rike, is a loyal, hard working, lover of life. She faced an unfathomable tragedy in October 2006. In light of losing her beloved husband, 5 ½ year old daughter, and 2 ½ week old son in a fatal car crash, with God’s grace, she chose to forge ahead in her new life.
Now a Texas motivational speaker, she worked as a high school theater and debate teacher for 13 years inspiring students to achieve their personal best. She and husband, Rick, lead their school to an overall state speech championship as well as numerous state speech qualifiers and two state champions. A favorite among teachers and students, Abby was voted Teacher of the Year in 2003.
Following the wreck, Abby Rike graduated with a Master’s of Education degree maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. Currently she is taking her message of hope to businesses, schools, churches, grief groups, and health and wellness communities as a motivational speaker hoping to inspire them in the same manner she did her students.
Deciding there was more living to do in this life, in May of 2009, Abby Rike embarked on a very public journey of healing and wellness when she went on NBC’s hit reality series “The Biggest Loser.” Abby began her journey on the show weighing in at 247 pounds. Despite suffering a stress fracture early on, while on the “ranch” she lost 46 pounds. She then went home utilizing the knowledge she gained and lost an additional 54 pounds to weigh in at 147 pounds at the December finale. As a Biggest Loser contestant, Abby Rike feels blessed to have had the opportunity to realize God’s grace full circle and feels compelled to share with others what she experienced firsthand. She continues her healthy lifestyle and vigor for life as a Texas motivational speaker and is a living example that even in your darkest hour, there is always hope.
Texas motivational speaker, Abby Rike, recently teamed up with Jennifer Rothschild, founder of Fresh Ground Faith, an organization encouraging women of all ages, denominations, and ethnic groups to experience unifying relationships with one another as well as a deeper relationship with God.
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