Cast Bios
Ruby Gettinger is one of a kind! The epitome of sweet Southern charm, she truly is the life of every party, the confidante to all and an inspiration to everyone who comes into her life. Her hometown, Savannah, Georgia, is as beautiful and magnetic as her glowing personality.
Though Ruby has battled her weight since childhood, she has never allowed her physical appearance to take a toll on her social life. After being told she'd have to lose weight or risk death, she decided to change her life and her health forever...with the whole world sharing in her challenging journey!
Ruby enjoys music and movies and loves spending time with her friends, who are just like family.
She hopes her journey inspires people to "get out there, not care about what others think, and live life!
Jim Gettinger is the most loving and honest person you may ever meet. He is Ruby's nephew and right-hand man. Although only 21 years old, Jim has a clear outlook on life: He dreams of being both a preacher and a car mechanic. He's very hardworking and would do anything for a friend. Jim used to be very shy, but Ruby helped draw him out of his shell—he's now a social butterfly who loves to be out on the town. Jim enjoys road trips with friends, and he cherishes his family.
Jeff Parsons is a social services worker and a licensed foster parent. He is an "insane dog lover" who cherishes his American Bulldog, Mellie. Passionate about and dedicated to the renovation of a "fixer-upper" house he hopes to flip, Jeff has also worked a second job at a hardware store. He's proud to say he's addicted to home-related television shows and loves enjoying time outdoors.
Single mother Georgia Thompson loves God with all her heart. She lives in Savannah with sons Zach, 17, and Ben, 20. "They are the light of my life," she says. Rounding out the family are four dogs (Angel, Pokey, Reef and Lady), who bring a lot of happiness and joy while keeping things interesting. Georgia says Ruby and Jeff are like family to her. "They have been there for me through births, divorce, deaths, heartbreaks, holidays and all of life's celebrations." She is a registered nurse and absolutely loves her job.
Ben Thompson, 20, is a musician and artist. A lover of life, he started surfing when he was a mere 9 years old and taught himself to play guitar at the age of 12. Ben plays guitar for his local church and dreams of performing music on the "big stage" one day. He currently studies at Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, with a focus on guitar and piano. Whether he is out of town surfing or pulling pranks on Jim, he loves to have fun. He has a pure heart and sees the good in everyone.
Zach Thompson is an 18-year-old who is happiest when he has a new video game to play, a new DVD to watch and a pepperoni pizza to eat. He loves animals and his friends and is a natural consoler and encourager—and he's always full of compliments for the ladies!
You've probably seen Brittany Daniel—one of Ruby's best friends—before. A native of Gainesville, Florida, the actress regularly appears on both the small and big screens.
Brittany starred opposite her twin sister, Cynthia, in the television series Sweet Valley High. After her feature film debut in The Basketball Diaries, she made appearances on Dawson's Creek and That '70s Show and went on to star in the hit TV show The Game. Brittany starred opposite Keenen Ivory Wayans in the feature film Little Man and was nominated for Best Kiss at the 2007 MTV Movie Awards.
Brittany resides in Los Angeles, where she and Ruby first met and instantly became friends. "Ruby inspires me to believe that anything is possible in life."
Ruby: Before the Journey
Ruby is an amazing woman trying to lose hundreds of pounds without surgery, miracle diets or shortcuts. Just one person—mind, body and soul—in the fight to save her life. Straight from Ruby, read how she felt as her journey began.
I have lived in this unusually huge shell since I can remember. I have battled this a long time. I feel like I am always getting in the boxing ring with this beast that has no name. He always seems to win. I start off strong and determined, and in the first three rounds I take him down. But right before my eyes—yet at the same time I'm blinded by him—he grows bigger. Before I know it, he has knocked me out of the ring.
Usually at that point I am so beaten up that I can't even crawl back. Sometimes it takes me years to get back in the ring. This is the darkest side of me; a side that is unknown, a side I haven't yet conquered. It's a side of defeat, hopelessness and despair. A side I hate to admit. A side I hate to visit. I become so numb. This is when I feel weak. And in those darkest hours, I pray, "God, please help me! Someone, please hear my cry and save me!" And, somewhere in the midst of all this, something in me rises up and refuses to give up.
I refuse to let it conquer me, no matter how many times I get beat up. Sometimes it looks like a no-win situation, and I feel like everyone around me believes I can't do this, because they have watched me fail thousands of times. But I feel my God-given destiny wants to meet me. My faith rises up and once again believes enough for everyone.
This is the me I love. This is the me I want to always be. I am fighting for her to arise from the innermost part of me and win and kick the beast for the last time.
It will be the hardest road, but I am ready to conquer the beast for me, and for others like me. I have my moments in darkness. But I have been in the light more than the dark. I have been happy more than sad, and I have laughed out loud for a lifetime. I will always laugh. I am addicted to laughing and life. Even though my life has been limited by my obesity, the life I have lived has been very happy and fulfilled.
I will not let my flaw define me. I went out into the world at 700 pounds knowing I was not accepted.
But I refuse to not live life to the fullest with my family and friends. I thank God that He gave me strength to face a world that was not accepting of me. By facing this world, I've found there are a lot more good people out there than bad. I have laughed more than cried, I have fought more than I have surrendered, I have danced, and I have seen the beauty in people. And through all of this, I still believe.
I still believe in myself, which is the most precious gift of all!
Consult your own medical and fitness providers before beginning any diet, nutrition, exercise, health or medical plan.