18 Years Later: 7 Shocking Updates On Matt Hoover And Suzy Preston's Life After The Biggest Loser

The enduring love story of Matt Hoover and Suzy Preston stands as one of the most heartwarming and inspirational outcomes in reality television history, transcending the typical fleeting fame of shows like The Biggest Loser. As of December 2025, this power couple has celebrated nearly two decades of marriage, a testament to building a life together that is far more complex and rewarding than their initial public weight loss journeys.

Their story is not just about shedding pounds; it’s a candid look at the long-term realities of health, weight maintenance, and finding professional purpose after the cameras stop rolling. From welcoming two sons to navigating significant post-show health challenges, their current life is a fresh, honest update on what it truly means to be a "Biggest Loser" winner and runner-up in the modern era.

Matt Hoover and Suzy Preston: Complete Biography and Reality TV Profile

Matt Hoover and Suzy Preston became household names during the second season of NBC's reality competition, The Biggest Loser, which aired in 2005. Their connection on the ranch quickly blossomed into a romance that captivated millions of viewers.

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• Matt Hoover (Winner, Season 2)
  • Full Name: Matthew "Matt" Hoover
  • Original Hometown: Maquoketa, Iowa
  • Reality TV Role: Contestant and Winner of The Biggest Loser Season 2 (2005)
  • Initial Weight Loss: Lost 157 pounds, dropping from 339 lbs to 182 lbs (46% body weight loss).
  • Current Advocacy: Health and wellness speaker, bariatric surgery advocate.
  • Major Health Update: Underwent Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) weight-loss surgery in 2019 after regaining weight.
• Suzy Preston Hoover (Runner-Up, Season 2)
  • Full Name: Suzanne "Suzy" Preston Hoover (née Preston)
  • Original Hometown: Monument, Colorado
  • Reality TV Role: Contestant and Runner-Up of The Biggest Loser Season 2 (2005)
  • Initial Weight Loss: Lost 95 pounds, finishing second place.
  • Current Career: Entrepreneur in home staging and interior design (Founder/CEO).
• Relationship Timeline & Family
  • Met: The Biggest Loser Season 2 (2005).
  • Married: 2006, in Jamaica.
  • Children: Two sons: Rex Timothy Hoover (born June 23, 2007) and Jax Paul Hoover (born September 11, 2008).

The Honest Truth About Matt’s Weight Regain and Bariatric Surgery in 2019

The story of Matt Hoover is often cited as a powerful example of the long-term struggle many reality show weight loss champions face. Despite his inspiring 157-pound victory on The Biggest Loser, Matt began to regain the weight in the years following the show, a common phenomenon documented by researchers studying the metabolic changes in former contestants.

This period of weight regain was a private and public challenge for Matt. He openly shared his difficulties, becoming a candid voice for the reality that maintaining extreme weight loss is incredibly challenging. This honesty is what has kept his story fresh and relevant for over a decade.

The Decision for Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG)

In a major health update in 2019, Matt Hoover made the difficult but necessary decision to undergo bariatric surgery, specifically a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG).

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He documented this new chapter on his social media and YouTube channels, offering a transparent look at the recovery process, dietary changes, and the mental shift required. The VSG procedure, which removes a large part of the stomach, helped Matt regain control of his health journey after years of advocacy and personal struggle.

As of 2025, Matt is celebrating his long-term success with the surgery, emphasizing that it was a tool to assist his commitment to a healthy lifestyle, not a magic fix. This latest phase of his life has redefined his role from a weight loss winner to a dedicated health advocate who understands the complex, non-linear path to wellness.

Suzy Preston’s Post-Show Career and Family Life Today

While Matt focused on his health advocacy and personal training early on, Suzy Preston Hoover carved out a successful career path outside of the fitness industry. She leveraged her creative talents to establish herself as an entrepreneur in the highly competitive world of interior aesthetics.

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Suzy is the founder and CEO of her own company, specializing in home staging and interior design. This career allows her to apply her eye for detail and design to help clients maximize their property value and create beautiful living spaces. This professional pivot demonstrates her ability to build a successful life away from the initial fame of reality television.

Raising Rex and Jax: The Biggest Loser Family

The couple's most important joint venture remains their family. Matt and Suzy are proud parents to two teenage sons, Rex Timothy and Jax Paul. Rex, born in 2007, is now approximately 18 years old, and Jax, born in 2008, is around 17.

Raising two boys who are now high school age has shifted the couple’s focus from personal weight loss to creating a healthy and stable family environment. Their social media often features snapshots of their life as a family of four, showcasing school events, vacations, and the everyday challenges of parenthood. The stability of their nearly two-decade marriage provides a strong foundation for their children, proving that their reality TV romance was built to last.

Beyond the Scale: Matt and Suzy’s Ongoing Legacy of Honesty

Matt and Suzy Hoover’s story is a powerful counter-narrative to the often-criticized "before and after" format of weight loss shows. Their transparency about Matt's weight regain, his subsequent bariatric surgery, and their continued commitment to each other has cemented their legacy as one of the most honest couples to emerge from the reality TV genre.

Their journey highlights several critical lessons for anyone struggling with long-term weight management:

• The Struggle is Real: Extreme weight loss is often followed by weight regain, a metabolic reality that requires continuous effort and sometimes medical intervention.
• Marriage is a Partnership: Suzy’s consistent support through Matt’s ups and downs, including his 2019 surgery, is a key factor in their enduring relationship.
• New Chapters are Possible: Both Matt and Suzy successfully transitioned their post-show fame into meaningful, separate careers—Matt in health advocacy and Suzy in interior design.

In 2025, Matt Hoover and Suzy Preston are not just a nostalgic footnote from The Biggest Loser Season 2; they are a living, breathing testament to the fact that a healthy life is a marathon, not a sprint, and that true partnership can survive the toughest of public and private challenges.