Power 106 Legend Big Boy Premieres First Book

Cash Money Content & Atria Books PresentAN XL LIFE: STAYING BIG AT HALF THE SIZEby legendary radio personalityBIG BOYIn stores December 27″His story is an inspiration to anyone looking, not merely to overcome obstacles, but to absorb, process and actually utilize adversity to their advantage.”– Will SmithNew York, NY ““ November 1, 2011 ““ On December 27, 2011 Cash Money Content, the book publishing arm of the iconic record label Cash Money Records, will release An XL Life: Staying Big at Half the Size, from nationally-known radio personality, Big Boy. Kurt “Big Boy” Alexander is the No. 1 Los Angeles radio host, ten-years running, and one of the most widely known hip-hop music radio DJs, heard in syndication in on 30 Radio Stations around the country. But Big is known just as much for his wise-cracking on-air antics as he is for his once, 500 pound frame.In An XL Life: Staying Big at Half the Size (CMC/Atria), Big Boy shares his tough journey from an overweight homeless teen, who overcame guns, gangs and dealing, to become a morbidly obese radio funny-guy sparring regularly with superstars like Will Smith, Barack Obama, Mariah Carey and Michael Jackson. He tells an inspirational behind-the-scenes tale of how he fought the battle of his life, finding himself near death more than once, all the while still entertaining Los Angeles daily with his hit radio show, “Big Boy‘s Neighborhood.”With An XL Life, fans of Big Boy who have watched him shrink and gain and shrink again, will hear Big’s battle told in detail in his own words for the first time. He also shares the many lessons he has learned along the way, as well as the mindset which got him to 500lbs and how changing his way of thinking was the hardest challenge of all.In August of 2002, Big Boy weighed in at 511 pounds. The death of Big Pun, a conversation with Fat Joe, (who tipped the scale at 350 pounds, and was working hard to shed the 88 pounds he’s lost todate), and a challenge from Will Smith, all lead Big to his first attempts at weight loss. Will Smith stepped in with an on-air challenge to donate $1000 for every pound Big lost to the charity of his choice. Over the next year, Big Boy would take a wild ride gaining and losing weight with diet and exercise and eventually weight loss surgery in the form of the drastic and dangerous Duodenal Switch.”As a child, although we were poor, my family was always happy, loving and encouraging, which has made me the self confident and happy adult that I am today – no matter what size I am,” Big Boy says. “Food was always one of my most favorite things in the world,” he admits. “Growing up, our family, and many African American families, always gathered around family meals and holiday dinners ““ always around food. To eat was to be loved, to be safe. And what we learn as a child, just like tying our shoes, stays with you. Now, I still love food but I know more about nutrition, portion size, and exercise and I am passing these new food habits on to my kids.”Two surgeries and two blood transfusions later, Big’s health has stabilized and he is on his way to feeling healthy. But even at half the size, he is and always will be, Big Boy. By telling his story he hopes to change the habits of anyone heading down an unhealthy path because of a destructive relationship with food. If he is able to save the life of just one person struggling with the side-effects of weight-loss surgery and unhealthy eating, then An XL Life was well worth writing.