THIBODAUX, La. -- An avid New Orleans Saints fan, there was a time when Josh LaJaunie of Thibodaux was nearly too big to fit in his seat in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
At over 400 pounds, LaJaunie was living the only lifestyle he had ever known.
“I was just being a good coonass,” LaJaunie said. “I grew up playing football. I was a lineman so being big was not frowned upon. I just lifted my feet and let the flow of my family take me because we were very much into hunting and fishing and cooking and deep-fat frying everything. We always were a big family. We ate everything we caught or killed and that, mixed in with all the rouxs and stews and boiled seafood, and with a good dose of beer and alcohol, that kind of got me where I was.”
But motivated by the Saints winning Super Bowl XLIV and earning a business degree from Nicholls State University, the 38-year-old native of Thibodaux has gone from 415 pounds to 185 pounds. He has given up meat and has conquered numerous running goals, including placing third in a 100-mile race in Florida earlier this month with a time of 22 hours, 45 minutes and 16 seconds.
He is now a Top 10 finalist for the Runner’s World Magazine Cover Search contest, which will recognize a male and female exemplary runner for their running accomplishments.
He was one of thousands of applicants for the cover spot.
LaJaunie shared his story and before-and-after photos of himself with Runner’s World Magazine.
The two winners will be voted on by readers and will be announced in November. They will appear on the December cover.
To vote for LaJaunie, find him on Facebook, Twitter or other social media platform and use the hashtag #outdatbayou.
