"From Fat to Finish Line" - A Tale of Redemption & Running

Published April 8, 2015 at 11:28 AM CDT

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An upcoming documentary tracks the journey of people going from being overweight to running the distance.An upcoming documentary tracks the journey of people going from being overweight to running the distance.

From Fat To Finish Line / facebook.com

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Jennifer struggled with her weight and dieting her whole life, and also developed gestational diabetes when pregnant with her son. Running and living a healthier lifestyle has helped her maintain a 100 pound weight loss.

fattofinishline.rocots.net

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Rick had always remembered being overweight, and reached his heaviest weight of 275 pounds in 2007. After starting sessions with a personal trainer, Rick set the goal to learn how to run. He has since dropped 90 pounds and now helps encourage others.

fattofinishline.rocots.net

Milwaukeean Rik Akey and New Yorker Jennifer Roe are among a dozen people around the country who have essentially reinvented themselves, turning their struggles with weight into lives as fit, dedicated runners.

And the latest chapter in their lives is a film they’re making on the journey the dozen runners are sharing – metaphorically and literally, as they prepare to run in the Ragnar Relay race from Miami to Key West next month.

The film is called From Fat to Finish Line. While the film was being made, Akey joined Lake Effect's Mitch Teich in the studio, and Roe, who is the film’s producer in addition to being a subject, joined by phone:

From Fat to Finish Line will have its world premiere this month at the Nashville Film Festival April 18th. There will also be a second showing Friday, April 24th at 6:00 PM, kicking off the Nashville Rock n Roll Marathon weekend.