Weight Loss Boss – Interview with Weight Watchers CEO David Kirchhoff

Today I have a special treat for JSGF readers: an interview with David Kirchhoff, the President and CEO of Weight Watchers International. Besides having a keen sense of business, Kirchhoff blogs about his own health and wellness issues in a very entertaining manner at Man Meets Scale.

Jack: Thanks for agreeing to be interviewed, Mr. Kirchhoff.

David: Thanks, Jack. But please just call me “David”.

Jack: Great. Well, you can just call me “Mr. Sh*t”. So, David, Weight Watchers is the global leader in weight management services, providing 50,000 Weight Watchers meetings each week in countries all over the world aiding millions of people to lose weight in a healthy way.

David: That’s correct.

Jack: Weight Watchers tries to help people lose weight in a sustainable way by assisting them in adapting a healthier lifestyle and a healthier relationship with food and activity.

David: Ummmm, Jack?

Jack: Yeah?

David: If this is an interview, at some point you have to ask questions.

Jack: Hmmmm, let me check my notes. Okay, here’s one:  if you fill a plastic milk jug with kerosene, set it on fire and then send it down a water slide, wouldn’t that look awesome?

David: Uh… next question?

Jack: I have two coins that equal fifteen cents but neither one is a nickel. How’s that possible?

David: It’s not possible.

Jack: Wrong! One of them’s a nickel.

David: You said neither of them was a nickel.

Jack: It’s a trick question.

David: Jack, I’m very busy…

Jack: Wait, just a few more… ummmm, what’s your social security number?

David: Jack, I’m hanging up now…

Jack: Wait, tell me about your blog, Man Meets Scale.

David: My original intent was to provide another voice from the perspective of men dealing with weight issues. There are so many women actively talking about weight and weight loss in conversation, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc.  For women, it seems like weight is a very natural topic of conversation. For men, it’s still much more verboten. There still aren’t enough male voices in this increasingly important topic. Given that I was not only the president of Weight Watchers, I was also a Lifetime Member (like the guy from Hair Club for Men), I thought it might be somehow helpful to share my own point of view on this topic by blogging about my own personal experiences with weight loss and weight maintenance. Interestingly, since I’ve been writing the blog for over a year, I have also discovered that it is a great way of helping me stay on the righteous path of the healthy lifestyle. 

Jack: When are you gonna switch from that Jared dude as the WW spokesperson? I’m getting tired of that guy’s act.

David: Ummmm, I think you’re thinking of Subway…

Jack: Let’s agree to disagree on that one, Mr. K…

David: You may be odd/confused/confusing, but you’re also an excellent straight man. We recently announced that Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson has signed on as the new spokesperson for Weight Watchers. She’s most definitely not a guy, but Jennifer is an incredibly inspiring person. Her own participation on the Weight Watchers program has had a great impact on her lifestyle, and her story and success on the program can be a source of inspiration for men and women alike. You can check out her story on the Weight Watchers website, our Facebook page or on Jennifer’s Facebook page. 

Jack: Jared must be PO’d.

David: Jennifer is relatable to so many people and has experienced visible results with Weight Watchers, so we feel she’ll help motivate others to take control of their health and try our program.

Jack: One last question: who’s your favorite blogger named Jack?

David: *click*