“We Were America”: An Interview with Sean Pashley of ‘Average Joe 2’

RealityNewsOnline: Donato was very vocal in his opinions that weight played a major role in Larissa’s decisions. You were, by your own words, the last “fat guy” left – do you think it played a big role in the decisions she made?

Sean: I think being the last big guy on the island was a disadvantage, Larissa was a Miss Missouri winner and model. She focuses hard on her body and appearance every day, and I wasn't focusing on my physical appearance at all. Shame on me, if beautiful women could have all seen past my weight I would have had a heart attack at 30 while dating the perfect supermodel.

RNO: What was going through your head when the pretty boys walked in?

Sean: When the studs came into the mansion, I thought it was the best twist yet. I knew no matter what happened, America would identify more with the average Joes. We were America. Or at least 99% of it!

RNO: As you watched the show, what did you think of the way Larissa looked at the new guys as they walked in compared to how she looked at you guys when you first walked in?

Sean: When Larissa saw the new guys come in she was ecstatic to the point that she couldn't stop smiling. That is when I knew she wasn't prepared to see past any of our looks.

RNO: Did you think it was fair that in the “school” competition, it was so obviously biased in favor of the pretty boys because two of the three parts of the test were physical?

Sean: The school scene was tough. Not all of us had it rough in school and we were portrayed as, I guess, the high school geeks. Maybe it was a bit lopsided on the studs end and I of course struggled with the physical stuff. But who knew they were dodge ball players?!

RNO: You mentioned several times that you figured the “average” guys would be the ones America loves. How much were you actually thinking about how you would look on TV?

Sean: I thought a lot about how terrible I would look on TV and that made me self-conscious. I had no idea how many people would end up supporting me and sending words of encouragement to me.

RNO: It seemed that there was quite a bit of tension at first between the pretty boys and the average Joes, but then later it seemed to calm down. What happened to ease the tension?

Sean: Booze, lots of booze. I'm kidding, but when you put a bunch of guys in a frat house type situation, living with each other, people are bound to befriend each other quickly.

RNO: The average Joes seemed pretty cohesive as a group, but that didn’t seem to be the case for the pretty boys – what did you think of the way they acted and fought with each other?

Sean: We did have a cohesive unit, because of the people we were, average guys excited for a chance to have fun in Hawaii on national TV. The studs were sharks and they were so focused on beating us that they started eating each other... Awesome, huh! Girls don't want to fight for mirror time with their boyfriends do they? Pick up an average Joe at your local pub today! (while supplies last, certain restrictions may apply)

RNO: What did you think of the first series compared to your own series?

Sean: I actually did not watch much of the first series, it just wasn't as funny or exciting as ours. Do you like broccoli?? LOL.

RNO: At the end of the episode, we saw that you have been on a workout routine. Can you tell us more about it?

Sean: I took a lot away from reality TV – great friends, great times, but mostly my desire to get healthy. All of those embarrassing moments gave me the fuel needed to change my life. From the moment I got back my regimen began. I started on six meals a day, high in protein, low in carbs, low fat, and lots of exercise. I run three miles a day and work out with a trainer every other day at the gym. I am training for the Barcelona marathon in 2005 and will run it for kids with cancer. After six months I had lost 70 pounds and gone from a 54" waist to a 42. But like many dieters I stalled at 70. That's when I heard about beachbody.com. They have a 90-day program called Power 90, and that will take me to the next level and help many other heavy people get healthy. There's no magic pill, just workout one hour a day, six days a week, eat good food and in 90 days you'll have a new body. I like the program because its common sense, eat well, exercise, lose weight, duh.

RNO: What would you like to tell us about yourself that we didn’t get to see on the show?

Sean: People didn't get to see my comfortable, confident side. When I feel comfortable, I'm much more funny.

RNO: Is there anything else you’d like to say to your fans?

Sean: I am probably the luckiest guy in reality TV history. Thousands of fans have sent me emails even before the weight loss with words of support and encouragement. It has been amazing, I want to thank all of those who wrote and cheered for me, I take their encouragement with me everywhere I go. The fact that I have fans is cool and I will remember these moments for the rest of my life.

RNO: Thanks again!

Sean: Thanks for the opportunity, David. If you need anything else just let us know, buddy!

David Bloomberg is the Editor of RealityNewsOnline and can be reached at RNO@pobox.com.

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