RALEIGH -- Ed Brantley and Heba Salama depend on a unique set of tools for their work: bigger-than-life photographs of their former fat selves.
The married couple live in Raleigh and completed a stint on TV's weight-loss reality program "The Biggest Loser" in December 2008. Since the show, they've worked to build a career upon that exposure, attempting to turn personal appearances, endorsements and charity work into a livelihood. They want to create an Ed and Heba brand.
"I wasn't passionate about going back to work for The Man," said Heba, 32, who quit her job in pharmaceutical sales. Ed, 33, gave up his catering business.
Reality shows churn out a continuous stream of television personalities, but only a handful find fame for even a few years. For every Clay Aiken or Heidi Montag, there are thousands more whose career highlight is appearing on TV for a few episodes. Former contestants who want to extend their fame can have trouble keeping their heads above the clutter, especially when shows turn out new casts each season.
Ed and Heba have "The Biggest Loser" on their side. The show has long been one of the highest-rated reality programs on network television.
The couple has a publicist and a Web site, www.edandheba.com. They make appearances for charities and businesses, including Rapid Fitness, Performance Bicycle and Raleigh Running Outfitters.
Their pictures are on billboards on Capital Boulevard, but those are of the svelte Ed and Heba. People remember the couple from when they were on television, when Ed began the show carrying 335 pounds and Heba weighed 294.
So the couple bring giant posters with them to personal appearances. The photos are unflattering, but neither seems to tire of standing in front of them.
"That's where I came from," Ed said. "That fat guy is still inside."
But each of them has managed to keep off more than 100 pounds. That's what they're selling.
Hawking common sense
During a recent appearance at Raleigh Running Outfitters, the couple spoke to a crowd of 10 or so about their experiences on the show, and the exercise routines and eating habits they use to keep fit. Their message was simple, that if you eat right and exercise, you can find a healthy weight and keep it there.
Jim Micheels, who owns the running store, said the couple helps his store reach one of its desired audiences.
"Newer runners are a big focus for us," Micheels said. Adults who have never run before can identify with the couple, neither of whom had strict exercise regimens before the show.
The store provides Ed and Heba with shoes and running apparel.
The couple has signed up to do a series of triathlons and running events this year. Last weekend in New Orleans, Heba completed her first half marathon.
In addition to their business work, the couple also volunteers for a number of charities, including the American Diabetes Association and Be Active North Carolina.
Extend your 15 minutes
TV exposure opens doors for people such as Ed and Heba, said Marc Marcuse, owner of Reel Management, a California-based company that books appearances for reality TV stars.
But after that initial exposure is over, it's up to the stars to make the work happen.
"A lot of people don't capitalize on their 15 minutes," he said.
Marcuse, who was a contestant on a dating show called "Average Joe," started Reel Management after he realized that booking reality contestants was an untapped niche. He has a roster of more than 400 reality stars but has no business relationship with Ed and Heba.
People such as Ed and Heba have fans because people admire TV contestants who make a sincere effort to change their lives, he said. "It's very inspirational. Those people earn respect and quite rightfully so."
But whether reality stars can make a career after the show is over depends on any number of factors, Marcuse said. Did the show highlight a person's endearing or villainous qualities? Do they have a message that resonates with audiences? Do they have anything new to offer? "It's a roll of the dice," he said.
Making it work
Ed and Heba's next gamble is a cookbook, which they describe as healthy recipes mixed with bits of their life stories.
The book also includes some recipes that probably wouldn't pass muster with the trainers from "The Biggest Loser." But they fit in with Ed and Heba's message, that it's OK to splurge every so often.
They have an agent, who is shopping the book to publishers. A successful cookbook could buoy their chance at making Ed and Heba their full-time job.
At the moment, Heba handles most of the business affairs.
Ed works as a culinary instructor at The Art Institute in Durham and cooks for in-home parties. He has also become a certified personal trainer.
Although neither took home the grand prize, the couple won $165,000 on the show, a nice amount if not life-changing. They've been frugal. Ed still drives a 1992 Nissan.
Being your own boss has its rewarding moments as well as its stressful ones, Heba said. There are no steady paychecks in the personal-appearance business.
Each day, she said, "We have to re-convince ourselves that we can do this."
