March 14, 2016
Former ‘Extreme Weight Loss’ Contestant Rod Durham Dead at 52
Rod Durham, who competed on “Extreme Weight Loss” in 2014, has died. He was 52.
The reality star was found dead in a Fort Lauderdale motel room over the weekend, according to the Tallahassee Democrat. The cause of death is not yet known.
“Extreme Weight Loss” trainer Heidi Powell remembered Durham on Instagram, writing, "Heaven just got a lot brighter today when Rod entered the pearly gates. Rod, you will be missed terribly. Everything from your kindness, to your warm smile and bear hugs, to your friendship, to you extraordinary ability to make ANYONE (including me) feel special. YOU are special. And will never be forgotten."
The Florida high school drama teacher began the show at 450 pounds, and went on to lose 180 pounds.
He once told Tallahassee Magazine, "That whole experience with Extreme Weight Loss gave me back my life. Yes, I lost a lot of weight, but this transformation really has very little do with my weight loss. The transformation was in my head and in my heart."
