Jessie Pavelka, Jennifer Widerstrom Join NBC's THE BIGGEST LOSER as New Trainers

With two new trainers on board to help contestants shed pounds and reclaim their health, "The Biggest Loser" returns to NBC Thursday, Sept. 11 (8-10 p.m. ET/PT) ready to change lives.

On board for season 16 are trainers Jessie Pavelka and Jennifer Widerstrom, who will join returning trainers Bob Harper and Dolvett Quince. Alison Sweeney returns as host of the series.

Additional information about season 16, which begins shooting in late June, will be announced closer to the fall premiere.

"We are excited to welcome Jessie and Jen into 'The Biggest Loser' family, and know they will be valuable players on this life-changing show that continues to inspire millions of people to embrace a healthy lifestyle," says Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC Entertainment. "We look forward to viewers meeting them and to revealing more great changes we have in store for the new season."

Pavelka is an internationally recognized fitness expert known for helping others develop practical solutions to lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle. In the U.K., he starred on Sky TV's "Obese: A Year to Save My Life" as well as "FAT: The Fight of My Life," helping overweight women and men change their health and their lives. He also trained the masses on ITV's "Motivation Nation," where he encouraged viewers across the U.K. to make one small change each day in order to reach their fitness goals.

In the U.S., Pavelka was the featured trainer on Lifetime's "DietTribe," and hosted a series of exercise programs on OWN called "Wake-Up Workout with Gaiam." A native of Corpus Christi, Texas and a former professional bodybuilder, Pavelka's passion for fitness inspired him to become a trainer and help others embrace health and wellness. In his free time, he is also the ambassador of HOOP (Helping Overcome Obesity Problems), a U.K.-based organization dedicated to helping those struggling with the issues surrounding weight management and obesity.

Jennifer Widerstrom is a top fitness expert committed to helping people live their best lives through health and fitness. Formerly a star of the NBC series "American Gladiators," she is the lead female trainer for InterContinental Hotel Group's new "Even" wellness line and has been a life coach for MSN.com and a fitness expert for Fitbie.com. She is also a women's health expert who has been featured on "Access Hollywood Live" and in 3V's 30 Second Fitness Shorts.

The Lisle, Ill., native is very experienced in guiding people through the dramatic changes that take place - both physically and emotionally - while losing weight. In her free time, Widerstrom has volunteered at orphanages and schools in Rwanda, Kenya and Malawi, Africa, helping children find self-confidence through sport and play. She has also supported the armed forces, going on Goodwill Military Tours for troops stationed in Kuwait, Iraq, southwest Asia and in Korea's Green Zone.

"The Biggest Loser" is a production of Shine America and 25/7 Productions. Ben Silverman, Dave Broome, Eden Gaha, Alex Katz, Joel Relampagos, Paul Franklin, JD Roth and Todd A. Nelson are the executive producers.

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