I know what type of news report elicits the most viewer response. They are stories about people- people with an emotional, sad, sentimental, poignant, reflective, motivational or tragic story to tell. Find that person's eyes through which to tell the story and that's what viewers remember, latch on to and are moved by. Viewers were certainly moved by Roman Grandy's successful weight loss of nearly 200 pounds and how he became a personal trainer to help others lose weight.
Viewers reponded to Roman Grandy and they're not the only ones.
When I first learned of Roman Grandy, the Norfolk senior refuse collector and personal trainer, I knew he had a great story to tell. The more I learned about him the more I realized there was more than one story to tell. As we talked, I envisioned 2 stories- one about his life-long struggle with obesity and how he overcame it and a second story about how he became a personal trainer to, as he put it, pass on what he'd learned to help others struggling to lose weight. So I decided to feature 2 reports on Roman's efforts to help himself and others lose weight and get fit, and I would make them part of the "Get"Fit" reports we do every Thursday on 13 News at 5 and on the "Get Fit" page on wvec.com.
We'd call each other to make arrangements for the various shoots from riding the garbage truck with him to seeing him sweat at Mr Trashmore. Every time he called, he's say, Hi, Kathryn" and before he said anything else I'd say, "Hey, Roman how are you?". There is no mistaking his voice. That voice!. If you remember the sound of Teddy Pendergrass or Barry White, you know exactly what I mean about that sexy, silken, "stop everything you're doing and listen" voice.
OK, so the voice stopped me in my tracks and always will. As I said, people respond to someone they can relate to and boy, did people relate to Roman. Not only does he have that voice, he has a story that is so compelling it struck a chord in many viewers... so much so, it moved them to try to reach him.
It's been a couple of months since those "Get Fit" stories aired and I'm still receiving questions about how to reach Roman. It's probably best not to call the city of Norfolk switchboard and ask for him- he kind of got in trouble when that happened. You can reach Roman Grandy by e-mailing him at cbcbyroman@gmail.com. And you can read about him on the Get Fit page on wvec.com
When he calls, you'll know. You'll recognize "The Voice".
Just to let you know I'm not kidding about all this, here are several recent e-mails from people trying to reach Roman.
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Hello my name is david i live in smithfield and i watch ur programs on ur get fit hampton roads with the man who worked for the city and lost weight i was just curious what did he do did he join a gym and a personal trainer or what he did i also have seen a commercial on ur channel advertising a weight loss program its in norfolk i think i have only seen the commercial once its in a office with doctors i remember that much but i didnt no how to get a old of them and any other type programs for weight loss u may know about without having surgery i have 130 lbs to lose.I hope u would be able to help me with this thanks.
David
Thanks for your e-mail asking about Roman Grandy, the Norfolk refuse collector who has also become a personal trainer after he lost 170 pounds. You can find his e-mail address and write to him… Go to wvec.com and scroll down to the “GET FIT” section and click on that.. I think both the stories about him include his e-mail address.
I’m sorry I’m not aware of what commercials are being broadcast on Channel 13 about weight loss so I won’t be able to help you with that information.
There are many weight loss programs from fitness oriented like Jazzercsie to food programs like Weight Watchers. It’s all in what works best for you. I’m sure you can do it without surgery because you seem motivated!
Good luck with the New Year- New You!
Regards,
Kathryn Barrett
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Hi Kathryn,
A few weeks ago you featured a Norfolk city trash collector who lost a large amount of weight and is now a personal trainer. Is it possible for you to forward me his contact information? I have a friend who I think could really benefit from his example and encouragement.
Thanks,
Mark
Mark,
Glad to help. Just look on www.wvec.com.. Scroll down on the home page until you see the “Get Fit” logo and click on the section. There are 2 stories about Roman Grandy … and we have his direct e-mail next to his stories. I’d be interested to know whether your friend looks into it.
Good luck with getting fit!
Kathryn Barrett
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Good evening,
I was reading your report on Mr. Gandy. However, I noticed that there was not a link available to contact him for personal training. Can you provide me with that information or lead me to where I might find it?
Thanks,
Jameka
I am surprised to learn that his link is not listed. You can reach Roman Grandy at cbcbyroman@gmail.com.
Kathryn Barrett
13 News Medical Editor
WVEC-TV
613 Woodis Ave.
Norfolk, VA 23456
757-628-6203
kbarrett@wvec.com
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