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Elgin bodybuilder competes on 'American Grit'

Rappel down a slippery mountain canyon? Run 5.2 miles while carrying a heavy log with three other people through an obstacle-filled course? Take on survival challenges designed for elite military groups?

Elgin resident Marc Lobliner did it all as a contestant on the new reality show "American Grit," which premieres Thursday night on Fox.

Lobliner, the CEO of several health and nutrition companies and a 35-year-old father of three, is no stranger to physical challenges. He's a nationally ranked bodybuilder and longtime weightlifter. But he said the challenges on this show were so difficult, both mentally and physically, that the experience was life-changing for him.

"It was the hardest thing I've ever done physically," he said. "What I thought was 'giving it my all' before ... now, I don't think any of us know what 'our all' is, because we never tap into that side of ourselves."

The show, hosted by WWE star John Cena, is a military-style team competition with a $1 million prize. It's something of a mix between "Survivor," "American Ninja Warrior" and "The Real World."

Lobliner spent six weeks last November and December filming the show in the Pacific Northwest, staying in a cabin with a view of Mount Rainier. The scenery was gorgeous but the weather was lousy, he said.

"It's beautiful when you're sitting by a fireplace. When you're out there doing this stuff in the bad weather, it's awful," he said. "I remember thinking, 'There wasn't a more scenic way to die.'"

He found the challenges particularly hard, because as a 5-foot-7, 240-pound bodybuilder, he's not known for his agility and finesse. But he grew to admire the "never quit" attitudes of his 15 fellow competitors and he adopted that mindset.

"These are the grittiest group of people you could find. They would never say they can't. They'd rather risk their life, or end their life, than say they can't do something," he said.

One of his fellow competitors was a Chicagoan - Tony Simmons, a former NFL wide receiver who is now a sports performance coach.

Lobliner didn't audition for "American Grit." The producers reached out to him, he suspects, after seeing him on one of his companies' popular social media channels. His company, Tiger Fitness, has more than 285,000 subscribers on its YouTube channel alone.

Lobliner hesitated to do the show at first, uncomfortable with the idea of taking a six-week leave from his family and his companies. But he ultimately decided to go for it, figuring it would be a fun challenge and good exposure for his brand and businesses.

Elgin resident Marc Lobliner rappels down a mountain on Fox's new reality show, "American Grit." It's a competition show where people do military and survival challenges. The premiere will air at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 14. courtesy of Olugbenro Ogunsemore/FOX

As part of his work resume, Lobliner briefly went into business with Sylvester Stallone in 2004 for a product called Instone Protein Pudding. It didn't end well.

"We didn't match personality-wise. Or you could say I was fired, whichever sounds better. After I left, the company went bankrupt," he said.

But he noted that in the gym, Stallone is "a madman" who's in insanely great shape.

While Lobliner can't reveal how "American Grit" ends, it's an experience he doesn't regret. He's even keeping an open mind about doing more TV.

"It was amazing to do," he said. "I'm always up for new challenges."

- Jamie Sotonoff

• Dann Gire and Jamie Sotonoff are always looking for people from the suburbs who are now working in showbiz. If you know of someone who'd make an interesting feature, email them at dgire@dailyherald.com and jsotonoff@dailyherald.com.

“American Grit”

Premieres at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 14, on Fox

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