Vault: Weight Loss Wendy Checks Back In With Her Goal Completed

Summary

The Bert Show

Episode: Vault: Weight Loss Wendy Checks Back In With Her Goal Completed

Date: April 1, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this moving and authentic episode, The Bert Show reconnects with listener Wendy, whose journey through grief, self-healing, and remarkable weight loss forms the heart of the discussion. Wendy originally participated in the show’s “Weight Loss or Property Loss” challenge—staking her most treasured possession, the Marine Corps flag from her late husband’s funeral, on her ability to reach a specific weight goal. This episode checks back in with Wendy to see if she completed her goal and to reflect on the challenging emotional and physical journey it entailed.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Evolution of the Weight Loss Challenge (00:49 – 03:18)

• Background:
  The Bert Show previously ran a “motivation by humiliation” challenge with listeners, but after logistical issues (“mysteriously on weigh in day, people’s phone numbers had changed. They left the state.” — Host 1, 01:15), the format evolved into “Weight Loss or Property Loss.”
• New Format:
  Listeners now pledge significant possessions as motivation, increasing accountability. Examples included a van title and an engagement ring; Wendy’s story, offering her husband’s funeral flag, was deemed the most impactful and delicate.
• Host Reaction:
  The hosts expressed major hesitation accepting Wendy’s flag, recognizing its deep meaning.

“We didn't want to accept this at all. We did not want to do this one.”
— Host 1 (possibly Burt), 02:01

2. Wendy’s Story: Grief, Motivation, and the Flag (02:25 – 03:36)

• Personal Struggle:
  Wendy recaps her harrowing last few years: supporting her husband through hardship, his subsequent suicide, and the emotional and physical toll, including significant weight gain.
• The Motivation:
  She chose the Marine Corps funeral flag as her motivational stake, knowing only this symbol’s weight could push her to achieve her goal.

“That's the only thing, I mean, to this day, I believe that's the only thing that would have motivated me to do it.”
— Wendy, 03:27

3. Wendy’s Transformation: Physical and Emotional (03:36 – 05:07)

• The Final Push:
  In the last week before weigh-in, Wendy had to lose 7 pounds. She committed to a strict regimen: only water, high protein, no carbs, cardio, and yoga. She went out socially but maintained her plan.
• Positive Changes:
  Wendy describes increased confidence, wearing clothes she hadn’t worn in years, and feeling genuinely happy again.

“I have not put any liquid in my body in seven days that wasn't water...I feel great.”
— Wendy, 03:55–04:43

4. Emotional Support & Community Response (05:29 – 06:40)

• Support System:
  Wendy credits the encouraging presence of her late husband during her toughest week as a turning point. She also highlights support from The Bert Show listeners, who found her on Facebook and cheered her on.

“I have to give a shout out to my Facebook friends from you all. That's been awesome.”
— Wendy, 06:33

5. The Weigh-In: Moment of Truth (06:40 – 08:11)

• Agreement Recap:
  Wendy began at 170 lbs, aiming for 150 lbs. If she failed, the show would keep the flag.
• Weigh-In Ceremony:
  After building suspense, Wendy steps on the same scale used at the start.

“She's at 148.”
— Host 4 (possibly Melissa), 08:04

• The room erupts in celebration and relief; her accomplishment is tangible both to herself and the hosts.

6. Reflections and Gratitude (08:11 – 10:15)

• Personal Triumph:
  Wendy expresses her pride—both in physical change and renewed emotional well-being (“I'm wearing a little skirt right now that I haven't put on my body in four years.” — Wendy, 08:37).
• Host’s Pride:
  Hosts reflect on Wendy’s transformation and the heavy stakes involved.
• Gratitude:
  Wendy acknowledges the show’s role in making her commit and persevere.

“Thank you all for giving me this opportunity because I seriously don't think I would have been able to do it without that severe of a motivation.”
— Wendy, 10:15

• Logistics:
  The Marine Corps flag is still safe in a deposit box, and arrangements will be made to return it to Wendy.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the nature of loss and motivation:
  “All that stress from those years put a lot of pounds on me and had affected me emotionally and all kinds of things... I knew I needed to get back to the person I knew I would have been at this point if I hadn't gone through all that.”
  — Wendy, 02:25

• On discipline and dedication:
  “I've been out with my friends and drank water all night and they're all like, I can't believe you're at a bar for three and a half hours and you're drinking water. But I did it.”
  — Wendy, 03:56

• On community encouragement:
  “Several of your listeners have found me on Facebook...and have been cheering me on and rooting me on and all this.”
  — Wendy, 06:32

• On the climactic weigh-in:
  “Shoes off, headphones off. Spit a couple more times. You need to go to the bathroom one more time... She's at 148.”
  — Host 4 & Host 1 (& Wendy), 07:35–08:07

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Important Timestamps

• 00:49–03:18: History and motivation behind the “Weight Loss or Property Loss” segment
• 02:25–03:36: Wendy shares her personal story and the motivation behind putting up the Marine Corps flag
• 03:36–05:07: Wendy’s final push and her physical/mental transformation
• 06:40–08:11: Weigh-in and celebration of Wendy surpassing her goal
• 08:11–10:15: Reflections, gratitude, and discussion of next steps

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Conclusion

This episode stands out for its honest portrayal of struggle, determination, and hope. Listeners witness a deeply personal transformation underscored by community support, public accountability, and personal courage. The Bert Show facilitates a conversation that balances humor and empathy, inspiring anyone facing tough goals or grieving profound loss.

Wendy’s story offers a profound message—that even in the darkest times, deep motivation and community can help reclaim a sense of self and health.

Transcript

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[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

We started this months and months and months ago with Burt show listener Wendy and we made the offer. We used to call it motivation by humiliation, but now it's weight loss or property loss.

[Host 2]

Right.

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

We got smart about this because years ago when we did motivation by humiliation, you would tell us how much weight that you had to lose by a certain amount of time. You'd make an agreement with us and if you didn't make that weight then we could do something to you like put your picture up on a billboard or something like that. Well, we were finding in every case that mysteriously on weigh in day, people's phone numbers had changed. They left the state.

[Host 3]

There's no way to get in touch with them.

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

Couldn't get in touch with them. So we changed things with this.

[Host 4 (possibly Melissa)]

Yeah. So this time with weight loss or property loss, everybody came in, shared their story with us and gave us something really significant to them. Whether I think the first guy gave us a title to his van and he needs his van to get to work and home and all that other stuff. So that was vital to his life. And then the second listener that we talked to actually gave us her engagement ring. And then it was Wendy's story here that was the most intriguing. So much so that we almost didn't accept it.

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

We didn't want to accept this at all. We did not want to do this one. Wendy, can you recap for us that the day that you called in and why you were using this as motivation? Because even today, like man, I didn't want to do this today. I didn't.

[Host 3]

We haven't waiter yet. We don't know yet from the day

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

and agreed to do it. I was reluctant from it from minute one and just as reluctant today.

[Wendy (Listener/Guest)]

Well, in short I've been through a lot with my husband the past three years and it was very trying and very stressful. And in the end he took his own life and all that stress from those years put a lot of pounds on me and had affected me emotionally and all kinds of things. And I just got to a point where I knew I needed to get back to the person I knew I would have been at this point if I hadn't gone through all that. And part of it was the weight. Part of it was just getting back to being healthy and my happy self. So what I did is I gave up the flag that the Marine Corps gave me at my husband's funeral and that was going to be my motivation to get back to the person I needed to be.

[Host 3]

And then we initially did not want to take it. And Wendy's the one that had talked us into using that because she said that she. That would. That would be a great tool to motivate her to lose this weight.

[Wendy (Listener/Guest)]

That's the only thing, I mean, to this day, I believe that's the only thing that would have motivated me to do it.

[Host 4 (possibly Melissa)]

And it did it while you've been working out and doing all this?

[Wendy (Listener/Guest)]

Yeah, absolutely. Like, we haven't weighed in yet, but I am pretty sure that I am there and I may have passed it a little bit.

[Host 3]

Alright, we're hoping so.

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

So you were kind of like you were hoping that he was going to be there alongside of you?

[Wendy (Listener/Guest)]

Yeah. This week in particular, when I called in last Monday, I still had seven pounds to go and I was in a panic and I really felt like he stepped up and was there with me and rooting me on. And this week I went hardcore, just doing everything I was supposed to do, nothing I was not supposed to do. I have not put any liquid in my body in seven days that wasn't water. I haven't had a Diet Coke, I haven't had a tea, I haven't had a beer or a drink or anything. And I've been out with my friends and drank water all night and they're all like, I can't believe you're at a bar for three and a half hours and you're drinking water. But I did it. I did high protein, no carbs, and worked out, did cardio, started doing yoga, which is awesome. You feeling good? I feel great. I mean, I was running around this weekend telling people, like, put your hand on my calf, let me tighten my muscles, feel this. And it was like, so awesome. And I put on clothes that I haven't worn in four or five years. And it's just. I just. I feel great.

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

All that said, seven pounds is a lot of weight to lose in one week. It's a lot of weight.

[Wendy (Listener/Guest)]

It is.

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

I think most doctors would tell you that's not even a healthy amount of weight to lose in one week.

[Wendy (Listener/Guest)]

It's not. But for just that one week, I had to do it.

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

So some might question why you waited till the last minute if he was there by your side this entire time. He was so much at stake. He was not.

[Wendy (Listener/Guest)]

He was not there by my whole. By my side the whole time. And there were a lot of times where I didn't feel him at all. And I'm one of those people that believe that your loved ones will be there for you when you need them. And I really felt his presence come to me about a month ago, and it was almost like a little knock at the door. You know, you're getting close. You've got to do this. And then last week, I just. I felt him with me almost 24 7, and just pushed me to do what I needed to do. And, you know, it was something about this week when. When I thought about him, instead of crying because I was sad, I cried because I was happy. And I know that was him. And I have to say, your listeners are great. Several of your listeners have found me on Facebook and sent me friend requests and have been cheering me on and rooting me on and all this. So I have to give a shout out to my Facebook friends from you all. That's been awesome. How cool. Yeah, they've been so supportive. Absolutely.

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

All right, that said, we're all gonna agree that this was the agreement that we made.

[Wendy (Listener/Guest)]

Absolutely.

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

That if you're not underneath the goal weight. And are we allowed to say what the goal weight was?

[Wendy (Listener/Guest)]

I said it. I started out at 170, and your

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

goal weight was 150. 150. By today, if you step on that scale right now and you don't hit 150, then we're gonna have to do what we don't want to do and take the flag.

[Wendy (Listener/Guest)]

I know, but I feel great. And that was my ultimate goal, was to start getting back to the person I knew I was supposed to be. And I know I am there, and I'm still going, and I am not going to let anything get me down.

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

So even though you feel great and we're glad that you feel great and your attitude has totally changed, in the spirit of the agreement is if you don't hit the 150, right?

[Wendy (Listener/Guest)]

Absolutely.

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

We're all in agreement on this. Melissa,

[Host 4 (possibly Melissa)]

shoes off, headphones off.

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

Spit a couple more times. You need to go to the bathroom one more time. Okay, ready? Jen, you want to take a look at the scale?

[Wendy (Listener/Guest)]

I'm gonna close my eyes.

[Host 4 (possibly Melissa)]

And Tracy said before we went on the air, Tracy said this is the same scale that we used at the very beginning for the weigh in. Stepping one foot, two feet. She's at 148.

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

What a relief.

[Wendy (Listener/Guest)]

Yay. Congratulations.

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

What a relief.

[Wendy (Listener/Guest)]

She did awesome.

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

You know when you. It's been months since we talked to you initially.

[Wendy (Listener/Guest)]

Four months.

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

Four months. And Wendy came in. Was this in studio when we took this picture? Yes, it was. And because we haven't seen her in months, it's a little hard to see. See the drastic change. You know, this was the picture of Wendy when she came in here initially. And now that you look at the

[Host 4 (possibly Melissa)]

picture now, you can tell she was

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

gonna lose the weight.

[Wendy (Listener/Guest)]

I'm seriously, I'm wearing a little skirt right now that I haven't put on my body in four years.

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

You're feeling good?

[Wendy (Listener/Guest)]

Oh, I am. I am so excited.

[Host 4 (possibly Melissa)]

That is just amazing.

[Host 3]

Wendy, that's fantastic.

[Wendy (Listener/Guest)]

And you probably even just see it in my face.

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

I could see when you walked in because I'm on Facebook with you also. And I could see the pictures also. And as soon as you came in, there was a little bit of relief. But that, that number. Afraid you're gonna be one pound off and we're gonna have to take that flag for one pound.

[Wendy (Listener/Guest)]

Congratulations. My Wii foot wouldn't lie to me. I got on this morning. Thank you.

[Host 3]

And for. And for new listeners, Wendy's deadline came before the others. So the two others we mentioned, their deadlines haven't come up yet. So we still have those two other

[Host 4 (possibly Melissa)]

weight loss or property loss.

[Host 3]

Weight loss or property loss.

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

One dude is way past it already. The guy with the van, remember him? He either Facebooked us or emailed us and he's. It's not even close for him. He's getting the van back and he's going to get the title.

[Wendy (Listener/Guest)]

I can't remember.

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

That was the second one.

[Host 4 (possibly Melissa)]

The engagement ring. That's at the end of the year. I think that's not. Maybe till November, right?

[Host 3]

Correct. Like that.

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

And that engagement ring was to lose how much weight? Do you remember?

[Host 3]

I don't remember, but they've been married for 20 something years. So I mean, she was determined that she was going to get that ring back. So we hope she does, but we don't have to worry about that till November.

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

No.

[Host 3]

When did you get the flag?

[Wendy (Listener/Guest)]

Thank you so much.

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

Where is that flag?

[Wendy (Listener/Guest)]

It's actually still in the safety deposit box. So I'm gonna be getting with Tracy

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

to get it from her.

[Wendy (Listener/Guest)]

She didn't want it to be in studio if I didn't lose the weight and have it me looking at it.

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

Yeah. Well, thank you for yourself and thank you for us.

[Wendy (Listener/Guest)]

Thank you all for giving me this opportunity because I seriously don't think I would have been able to do it without that severe of a motivation.

[Host 3]

So I'm so glad you met your goal.

[Wendy (Listener/Guest)]

Thank you. Congratulations.

[Host 3]

You did all the work. Yeah.

[Host 1 (possibly Burt)]

What a tremendous relief for all of us. I think I lost some weight today.

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