When Anita Fischer Jarzeboski’s father was first diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, three years ago, it made her realize how life can change in an instant.
‘I was healthy other than being overweight, but what was I doing with my life?? she asked herself.
In June of last year, the 1986 Oxford High School graduate decided to try out for a new reality show called X-Treme Warrior, which challenged Jarzeboski mentally and physically beyond what she thought was possible.
The show, of which a portion was taped in Metamora last August, is considered a new breed of television reality series that brings out the best in human nature.
The idea for the X-Treme Warrior show came from hard-core military boxing and kick-boxing personal trainer Omar Akl’s intensive Weekend Boot Camp that traveled throughout Michigan.
With the help of executive producer Leona Larson, Akl changed the name of the event to X-Treme Warrior and brought it to television.
The Brownstown Township resident will appear on the show April 11 on Comcast Local, with the hopes of a major network picking it up.
Each episode is one three-day event held in different locations. Divided into two teams and then into pairs, the women perform physical challenges to judge individual, partner and team performances.
The winner of each episode is chosen by their team to represent them in the final round with the chance to win cash and prizes for all of them.
‘This show will inspire viewers to get off the couch,? said the 38-year-old married mother of two. ‘I want to inspire others who may think it’s too late to start working out ? it’s only too late once they put the dirt on your grave.?
Before auditioning for X-Treme Warrior, Jarzeboski began to run and completed a marathon, several half marathons and two triathlons. She even got to fulfill her dream of tandem skydiving, something she never could do because of her weight.
The only thing she did to train for the audition was a lot of push-ups.
‘I wish I would’ve prepared more mentally, though,? she said. ‘I had no idea what I was in store for.?
When Jarzeboski auditioned for the show, she said she was a little intimidated because there were other women who were extremely fit trying out, but that wasn’t going to stop her.
‘I felt that I was meant to be there just to prove to myself that I could do it,? she said.
The nine-minute ‘grueling? workout was tougher for some than others. In fact, some women passed out and some just up and quit.
Jarzeboski was called back within a week to join the show.
During their three-day episode shoot, the associate consultant for Clinique said her fellow competitors got to know her in a way her family and friends will never know because of the experience.
‘I realized after these three days that I have exactly everything that I want and need in my life,? she said.
Jarzeboski said she was probably the most emotional woman on the show because she cried every day.
‘I hope that all of the viewers will see a part of themselves in all of us women,? she said. ‘X-Treme Warrior is about finishing what you start, believing in yourself and never giving up even if that means crawling across the finish line.?
To learn more about the show or to become a contestant visit the website www.xtremewarrior.com.