"The Biggest Loser" returns tonight on NBC and three of the contestants are from North Carolina.

This time around, there's shared theme that links the contestants. It's called "Second chances."

You might remember Daniel Wright from last season. 

The Willow Springs native started at 454 pounds, the show's largest contestant ever.

"My second chance is to finish what I started," Wright says.

Trainer Jillian Michaels thinks he's ready.

"Now, 140 pounds lost later, he's the most fit in the house. He's a role model," says Michaels.

It's also inspiration for a new contestant.

"Seeing that he could do it, really got me up off that couch and told me I could do it", says newcomer Shay Sorrels.

She begins her journey at 476 pounds.

"I'm not here to be a friend", Michaels adds. "I'm here to catalyze change."

Contestant Tracey is orginally from Raleigh. Her family has a watch party planned for tonight. And Antoine is from Dudley, NC.  

Every contestant has a story and Abby Rike's may be the saddest.

"In October 2006, my husband and two children were killed in a head on car crash," Rike explains.

Her grief exacted a physical toll.

"You feel like you're in molasses and it's an effort to get out of bed every day", Rike said. But now, her memories are motivation. "There's a reason I wasn't in the van with them. I wasn't going to dishonor them by falling apart," Rike says.

Related Links

1. Daniel Biggest Loser Bio, Photos
2. Antoine Biggest Loser Bio, Photos
3. Tracey Biggest Loser Bio, Photos