‘The Biggest Loser’ 2014 Cast: Meet The Season 16 Contestants Before Sept. 11 Premiere

The 2014 season of “The Biggest Loser” may just go down in the hall of fame when "Glory Days" premieres on Thursday, Sept. 11. Season 16 of the hit NBC reality series will feature 20 former athletes -- including NFL players and Olympic gold medalists -- who will be attempting to change their lives and win the $250,000 grand prize.

The upcoming installment of the hit franchise will feature an exciting new twist to the series. Instead of the eliminated contestant being sent home every week, the “Biggest Loser” participant will actually be “whisked away to a secret location called ‘Comeback Canyon,’” according the NBC. At "Comeback Canyon" they will be trained by Bob Harper to “compete at a separate secret weekly weigh-in for the chance to return, snag the title of “Biggest Loser” and the prize money. As if the stakes weren’t high enough already!

Check out the 2014 participants of “The Biggest Loser” below and meet the cast who will be pouring blood, tears and a whole lot of sweat into Season 16 of the beloved fitness-reality series:

Jordan Alicandro: Jordan, 32, is a former athlete who played baseball for 13 years before tearing his ACL in a snowboarding accident. He now weighs 323 pounds and hopes to lose the weight so that he can be an active father and resume physical activities. Goal: Compete on "American Ninja Warrior."

Rondalee Beardslee: Rondalee, 28, was a former three-sport athlete in high school. Now she weighs 280 and is striving to become a healthy role model to her patients when she becomes a nurse. Goal: Compete in the Ironman World Championship.

Blake Benge: Blake, 18, is a student who currently weighs in at 251 pounds. Goal: The former high school athlete looks forward to feeling confident and looking good in her bikini.

Howard "Woody" Carter: Howard, 46, is a former semi-pro football player turned car salesman. After ending his football career Howard reached a weight of 398 pounds. Goal: To one day run a marathon.

Toma Dobrosavljevic: Toma was once a soccer player in the most competitive league in the Chicago area. Now the 33-year-old Senior Project Manager, who weighs in at 336 pounds, is trying to lose the weight he gained after the devastating loss of his father. Goal: To try out for a professional soccer team and lose the weight like he promised his dad before his death.

Zina Garrison: Zina, 50, was a women's singles runner-up at Wimbledon in 1990, a three-time Grand Slam mixed doubles champion and women's doubles gold medalist and singles bronze medalist at the 1988 Olympic Games. After retiring from the court and being an Olympic coach, Zina packed on the pounds due to "too many carbs" and lack of exercise. Currently Zina weighs in at 263. Goal: To inspire family members to get healthy and to shop for a cute pair of jeans.

Rob Guiry: Rob is a 26-year-old sports fanatic with a degree in sports management and an MBA with a focus in leadership. The 483 pound Rugby coach is determined to lose the weight so he can play rugby, bike, skydive, go on roller coasters and more. Goal: To participate in a Tough Mudder.

Gina Haddon: This Texas native is determined to shed the pounds after always being considered “the fat girl.” Currently the former cheerleader weighs in a 242 pounds. Goal: To set and example for her children and to enjoy outdoor activities with her family like water and snow skiing.

Lori Harrigan-Mack: Lori is a three-time Olympic gold medal winner in softball. After retiring from the sport in 2004 she found herself struggling with her weight due to a poor diet, several miscarriages and depression. Now at 44-years-old and 301 pounds, Lori is determined to get healthy. Goal: Feeling and looking good and being able to keep up with her son.

Vanessa Hayden: The former WNBA star always struggled with her weight but it was until she was released by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2010 that her health really began to go down hill. Now at 32-years-old and 366 pounds Vanessa is ready to shed the weight. Goal: To be there for her kids and teach her daughter the game of basketball.

Sonya Jones: The physical education teacher, who has been overweight her entire life, is ready to shed her pounds. Currently the 39-year-old former semi-pro softball player weighs in at 283 pounds. Goal: Being comfortable in her own skin and becoming a good role model as a PE teacher to the children in her district.

Chandra Maple: The former basketball player, now 26-years-old and 341 pounds, is ready to make a change. Goal: To play basketball with the girls she coaches.

Matthew Miller: The Oklahoma native, who suffered from childhood obesity, is ready to make another life altering change. Matthew got fit in high school (he even became an all-star football player) but after his ski accident in 2007 his healthy lifestyle fell off. Now Matthew is 31-years-old, 386 pounds and ready to shed the weight once again. Goal: To be able to ski again along with other physical activities.

Scott Mitchell: Scott was a standout athlete growing up, excelling in football. But now the former NFL player is 46-years-old and 366 pounds. He’s ready to get healthy now that hes lost his father to obesity-related causes. Goal: Scott says he wants to look good in clothes and be physically active.

Emmy Lou Munoz: At 32-years-old and 260 pounds, Emmy is motivated to get fit so she can be active with her family. Goal: The former softball player wants to be healthier so she can be a better role model, rejoin her co-ed softball league and one day run a half marathon.

Mike Murburg: The New Jersey native made a promise to his son, who died tragically in 2008 during Special Forces training, that he would get healthier. At 58-years-old and 399 pounds, the former athlete, who played collegiate football at Prince University, is ready to make a change. Goal: Fulfill his promise to his son and go kayak, skiing and hiking once again.

John “JJ” O’Malley: John was a former athlete who received a partial football scholarship to play at Arizona State University. However, a torn meniscus ended his career. Now the 22-year-old, who struggles with sleep apnea, weighs in at around 392 pounds. Goal: To live a health, active lifestyle.

Jackie Pierson: The California native, now 36-years-old, currently weighs in at 291 pounds. Previous to her weight gain Jackie was a jack-of-all-trades when it came to athletics. Goal: To be there for her daughters and to bring the knowledge she gained back to her Native American community to inspire others to make healthy changes.

Andrea Wilamowski: Andrea started gaining weight at 23-years-old after an abusive marriage stripped her self confidence. Now the former athlete is motivated to get fit for herself. Goal: To be able to do simple things like “crossing her legs like a lady” and being active in sports again.

Damien Woody: After retiring from the NFL in 2010 Damien watched his health slip away from him. He now craves a healthier lifestyle so he can keep up with his four daughters and three sons. Goal: Damien said he lost friends who died too young after retiring from the NFL and doesn’t want to be another statistic of a former football player who died too soon due to weight-related issues.

"The Biggest Loser: Glory Days" will premiere on NBC on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 8 p.m. EDT.