Thirty years and 3,000,000 pounds later, Richard Simmons is still going strong. Using his unique wit, passion and enthusiasm, Simmons, the nation’s most revered fitness expert, continues his crusade to reach out to the masses, encouraging them to take control of their fitness destiny. Delivering a serious message with his trademark humor, Simmons has helped millions of overweight men and women lose more than 3,000,000 pounds by adopting sensible balanced eating programs and exercise regimes that are energetic, fun and motivating.

Growing up in the French quarter of New Orleans, where lard was a food group and dessert mandatory, Richard weighed 268 pounds when he graduated high school. An entrepreneur at a tender age, Simmons sold pralines on New Orleans street corners where he learned to charm and entertain his customers. After trying everything from bizarre diets to laxatives, Simmons took control of his weight problem by adopting a lifestyle of balance, moderate eating and exercise.

Simmons prevailed over his own weight problem before relocating to Los Angeles in 1973. There was no significant fitness movement in this country at the time, and to no avail, Simmons attempted to find a health club that wasn’t for people who were already in shape. After traversing the county, and unable to find a facility open to people of all shapes and sizes, his only alternative was to create that safe haven. In 1974, after consulting with doctors and nutritionists to ensure the safety of a program tailored to the needs of everyone, from the overweight and obese, physically challenged to the seniors, a determined Simmons established an innovative place where the overweight of the world were welcomed with open arms. This program was met with instant success and continues today at SLIMMONS in Beverly Hills, where Richard still teaches. While many of his legions of fans are overweight, he also resonates with everyman, anyone who has a few pounds to lose and wants to be fit.

Simmons’ success as a fitness expert and advocate led to numerous local and national television and radio appearances including a four-year run on “General Hospital”, followed by his own nationally syndicated series, “The Richard Simmons Show”. The show ran for four years and received several Emmy Awards.

Knowing that exercise and weight loss regimes must go hand-in hand, Simmons has created a series of products that integrate the two components of a sensible weight loss program. Deal-A-Meal and the FoodMover help people keep track of their food intake through the use of a device to keep track of calories and portions. His 50 fitness videos, which have sold over 20 million copies, pair lively music, with rockin’ routines and Simmons’ humorous banter and encouragement. With titles that include “Sweatin’ to the Oldies”, “Dance Your Pants Off”, “Disco Sweat”, “Blast Off the Pounds”, “Platinum Sweat”, and “Sit Tight”, a workout designed for people who cannot stand, Richard offers a routine for everyone.

His newest exercise DVDs, released in January 2010, are “Sweatin to the Oldies 5” and “Tonin’ to the Oldies.” All of Richard’s programs offer well-known and wildly popular songs personally selected by him for the ultimate workout experience.

As the author of nine books, including the New York Times Best Seller, “Never Say Diet”, Richard released his autobiography, “Still Hungry-After All These Years” in 1998.  He is also the author of three best-selling cookbooks. In 2010 Simmons will lead his 29^th Cruise to Lose program aboard Carnival Cruise Lines. Guests cruise from New Orleans to Belize, Isla Roatan and Cozumel.

Throughout the years Richard still gets his greatest satisfaction from reaching out and literally touching his students. Recognizing that his audience spans all across America, Simmons averages some 250 days on tour each year. Whether it’s a women’s expo, a nursing home, a high school, children’s hospital, shopping mall or a corporate seminar, Simmons considers himself fortunate to come face to face with hundreds of thousands of people each year. Concerned about the financial impact of obesity in the workplace, several executive organizations have recently invited Simmons to speak to their members about ways to encourage their workers to lose weight.

Alarmed by the growing epidemic of childhood obesity, Richard helped launch the Fit Kids Bill in Congress with the help of Congressmen Zach Wamp and Ron Kind.  The effort is to ensure that physical education classes are reinstated or remain a part of the curriculum in public schools.  Richard testified before a congressional committee and spoke of his own personal battle as an overweight child.

Still fighting the fitness battle with humor and enthusiasm, Simmons vows to never give up and promises that he will continue his crusade until it’s time for him to teach classes at the Pearly Gates.