Twenty-eight-year-old Sophia has always been overweight, but life has been an even bigger challenge recently after the loss of her brother in a car accident, while juggling a very busy work and academic schedule. She works as a high school counselor, a cheer coach and a spin instructor, while also pursuing a Ph.D. in philosophy with a focus on higher education. She was born in Montgomery Village, Maryland, and grew up the second oldest of four children. She earned her bachelor's degree in social work from Morgan State University, and earned a master's degree in education at the University of Maryland, College Park. Currently weighing 272 pounds, Sophia wants to get healthy for herself, and hopes to inspire her family, friends and students to live a healthy active lifestyle. She says she looks forward to losing the weight and "being the athlete I have always known I am."