Joe Messina, at 38 years old and 357 pounds, suffers from sleep apnea, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and has been overweight his whole life. He was born and raised in Auburn, New York with nine siblings, and he says lack of exercise, a poor diet and his family's lifestyle all contributed to his weight gain. Tired of being unhealthy and obese and unable to do everyday activities, Joe wants to be on the show to make a life change for the better. As a father of three children, Joe's turning point was going to an amusement park with his son and being unable to fit on a ride. Now he wants to be a good healthy role model for his kids, as well as for the overweight members of his close-knit Italian family. After losing the weight, Joe looks forward to riding on any amusement park ride he chooses, going swimming without worrying about what people think, buying clothes right off the rack, and most of all, playing with his children instead of just watching them play.