- How did you find out about "SURVIVOR?"
Mom called and said she'd just learned about a show CBS had created "just for
me." "Sure Ma, thanks," I said. In one ear and out the other. Mom knows I'm a
risk-taker, but she's always coming up with bizarre suggestions. Anyway, less
than a week later, a friend from Washington, DC, called and repeated my mom's
suggestion verbatim. I checked out CBS' website and the rest is history.
- Has your life changed dramatically after winning "SURVIVOR?"
The only changes in my life have been superficial. I'm extraordinarily
introspective and had (over many, many years) come to a well-grounded place
that has kept me from being internally impacted by changes in the way others
perceive me.
- Have you had to deal with weight issues your entire life? Have you ever
lost this much weight before?
My self-perceptions were skewed and my body image poor most of my
life. Although I've struggled and my weight has fluctuated all of my life, I'd been
360 pounds for nearly 8 years before finally mastering health. So, no, I've
never lost so much weight before - and I never will again.
- Late-night talk show host David Letterman often referred to you as "The
naked fat guy." Did his insensitivity bother you or maybe even cause problems
for your son Chris or other family members?
Gosh no. In fact, I don't consider Letterman insensitive at all. I was
naked and I was fat - so what? I enjoy truth and my happiness doesn't depend
upon what anyone else thinks or says about me.
- You definitely have been working out. How do you stay fit? What kind of
exercise do you do (weight training/aerobics, etc.)?
I work out at least 3 times per week and I try (and I mean try
hard) to run every day. Ideally, I run 6 or more miles a day, but, realistically, I'm
successful about 5 days a week.
- Do you work with a personal fitness trainer or did you come up with your
own workout routine?
I worked with Jon Smythe of Newport Athletic Center in Middletown, RI,
for nearly a year, before my commitment and routine were so solidly
established that I can continue on my own. I'll be working with Jon again soon (when I
finish with the publicity tour for my book, 101 Survival Secrets: How to Make
$1,000,000, Lose 100 Pounds, and Just Plain Live Happily). I'm looking forward
to getting a bit more lean and fine tuning some things.
- How did being on the island affect your metabolism? How is your metabolism
now?
My metabolism has been as "out of whack" as they get for most of my
life. I'd tried dieting and starving and every gimmicky plan out there. But
it's great now. Although it sounds trite, I've come to learn that focusing on
weight loss is ineffective. I love myself and that kind of mental health is
required to maintain physical health.
- Did you have plastic surgery to tighten up loose skin? Other than plastic
surgery what can you recommend to tighten up loose skin after weight loss,
such as a double chin or extra stomach skin?
I sure did. After losing a bit more than 100 pounds, I scheduled
surgery (resection) for May 9, 2000 (we finished filming SURVIVOR at the
end of April) to remove excess inelastic tissue from my midsection (large, floppy,
love handles). I ended up losing an additional 30 plus pounds on the
island, so the May 9th surgery was perfectly timed. Dr. Roettinger in Newport, RI, did
the resection and I am beyond ecstatic with the results. Just about a week ago,
Dr.Rosenberg of Sutton Place in New York City, did some fine tuning
liposuction on areas (inner thighs and abdomen) that would not respond to exercise alone.
- Which do you think is more important if you absolutely had to choose one:
diet or exercise?
Exercise is unquestionably more important than diet. For me, it helped
establish the mental stability to actually "want" to eat healthily. I eat what
I want and don't "diet." It's just that now I usually make healthier choices.
- In your endorsement deal with Reebok, are you required to maintain a
certain weight? What are your duties as a spokesman for Reebok?
There are no weight requirements of any kind. At this point, I simply
enjoy wearing Reebok footwear and clothing. We are in the midst of discussions
about how to expand my role with Reebok.
- What are your present fitness goals?
Two years ago, I decided I would attempt to be in the best shape of my
life by the time I turned 40. That's coming up next April 8th, and I'm already
there. I'm a happy guy.
- During your time on the island, your 9 year old son Chris, had gained
about 20 pounds. It's rumored that you awakened him at 4:30 a.m. and forced
him to go on a three or four mile jog. The police were involved and it is rumored
you had filed a lawsuit against them. Can you tell us what really happened
I'll start by saying that none of what was reported was accurate. I
adopted Chris when he had just turned 7. He'd lived in 8 homes prior to that
and had endured what, for most people, would be an unimaginable life in the
care of Rhode Island's Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).
And, although Chris was abused on the day in question, it was not by me. Rather,
Rhode Island's DCYF acted irresponsibly and abusively as did the Middletown
Police Department. Since I am suing both organizations to require that they
accept responsibility for their actions, I'll refrain from discussing the
details of the case until it is concluded.
- The AP reported that you recently signed a book deal with The Lyons Press
of New York City to write a paperback entitled, "101 Survival Secrets: How to
Make $1 Million, Lose 100 pounds and Live Happily Ever After." Can you give us
a sneak peek into the type of useful information the book contains?
The book is already in stores. It's a quick read and would make a
great stocking stuffer.
- Now that you have won the million dollars, what positive changes have you
been able to make in your life, and what have you done to change someone
else's life?
Well, I've wanted to start a teen outdoor adventure program for quite
some time and the money and fame have enabled me to get that program going.
Horizon Bound is an exciting opportunity for teens to explore who they are and
challenge themselves to develop confidence and self-esteem, while having the
time of their lives!
- There are all kinds of rumors that you may have a radio or TV show in the
works. Care to comment on this?
I have several shows "in the works." I am still deluged with offers of
all kinds. I'm exploring many options before deciding which opportunity is
best for all concerned.
- Will the original cast members of "SURVIVOR" take part in the
promotion of "SURVIVOR 2" during the upcoming weeks?
Oh, I guess we'll have to see, won't we?
- Thanks for taking the time for this exclusive Natural Muscle interview
Rich. We wish you continued success!
Thanks Rob. Keep up the great work. Your personal commitment to health
is inspiring.
Besides promoting his book, Hatch is as busy as ever having teamed up with
three fellow "SURVIVOR" finalists-- ex-Navy SEAL Rudy Boesch, truck driver
Susan Hawk, and river guide Kelly Wiglesworth for a milk mustache print
advertisement as part of the familiar "Got Milk?" campaign sponsored by the
dairy industry. He also has appeared on a number of TV shows, which include
the MTV Music Awards Show, Entertainment Tonight, Hollywood Squares, and "The Late
Show with David Letterman."
The odds of being one of the final 16 contestants for "SURVIVOR 2" were quite
high. CBS received over 50,000 applications--more than eight times the 6,100
who applied for the original show. Look for "SURVIVOR 2: The Australian
Outback" to hit the U.S. airwaves January 28, 2001, immediately following the
Super Bowl.
To contact Hatch check him out on the web at
www.richhatch.com or
www.triwhale.com. You can also write him at:
Tri-Whale Training,
21 Annandale Road,
Newport, RI 02840-3601 or call at 401-849-0070.
About Rob Wilkins: Rob Wilkins is a Technical Sergeant in the US Air Force stationed at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. Wilkins is also an Assistant to International
Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB) President, Ben Weider and a recent recipient
(Oct. "00) of the IFBB Gold Medal. To contact Rob, you can e-mail him at
waaszup@yahoo.com.
|