Ali Vincent, Arizona native and season five winner of the
biggest loser, was awarded the Phoenix Mercury 2008 woman of inspiration award.
Vincent's road to inspiration began on season five of the biggest loser where she lost 112 pounds and 47.86 percent of her body weight.
Vincent received her award during half time at the US Airways Arena where the Phoenix Mercury played against the Sacramento Monarchs in an 81-69 win for the Mercury on September 5th. Four other local Phoenix women were recognized as well for their community and family efforts.
Dressed in a little black dress and pink belt, Vincent began her night with a speech, photo signing, promoting the Susan G. Komen Race for the cure 5K and then receiving her award at half time to a cheerful audience.
"Tonight is such an honor," Vincent said. "I'm a homegrown girl and I have been a fan of the Mercury since day one. It's an honor to be recognized by such an amazing organization. I've always looked to them as women who are going after it with strength and confidence against all odds."
Women of the valley have been drawn to Vincent since her accomplishments on the biggest loser. Arizona resident, Lisa Kasberisk, came out Friday to enjoy the game and the "women of inspiration night."
She feels that Vincent's receivement of the award is well deserved.
"She's been an inspiration to a lot of women," Kasberisk said.
Kasberisk was a fan of the biggest loser and enjoyed watching Vincent on the show. She has also followed up on Vincent since the show ended.
"I've heard her speak on other interviews; she's encouraging," she said.
"When I think of what inspiration is, I think of what it felt like to go for something that felt impossible," said Vincent. "I looked to women like the players on the Mercury for inspiration for that because that's what it's about. It's about pushing yourself physically to the ultimate limits, which opens the door to be able to push yourself mentally and emotionally. We're creators of our own destinies and the Mercury is a pure example of that. I took their energy and created mine."
While Vincent was signing pictures along side her mother and promoting the Susan G. Komen race for the Cure 5K, she influenced women to sign up and race.
Vincent and her mother Bette-Sue were the pink team on season five of The Biggest Loser. Although her and her mother where voted off the ranch, they were tough competition. Due to the twist and turns of the hit reality show, Vincent was brought back due to her astonishing weight loss and winning her spot in the top three.
After the three top remaining players were sent home to lose weight, Vincent kept her vow to lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle, inspiring millions of Americans in the process.
When she returned to the season finale in April, she won the title of the first female biggest loser. She lost 112 pounds in five and a half months and the grand prize of $250,000.
