I know, I know…this wasn’t quite the ending you envisioned, right?! I’ve read a bazillion opinions and comments on Shane and Marissa’s situation post-episode, and I’ve gotta say that the ending to this story wasn’t quite what Chris or I had expected either. I’ve also gotta’ say that we love BOTH of them, and we are firm believers that NEITHER of them are in the wrong, and they did what was ultimately best for each of them. Keep in mind, break-ups are HARD!! And they aren’t always mutually desired from both parties. While this could be considered a?sad ending to a love story, Chris and I both think it could have been even more difficult for the both of them if the break up happened?after the wedding…even tougher if they waited until kids were in the equation! I’ve been there, and divorce with kids is no easy thing. And let’s not forget their incredible transformations!!

Besides all of this (and my totally unsolicited opinion), who are we to judge anyway?! While Chris and I got to know?them really well, we didn’t know all of the ins and outs of their relationship, nor did we feel it was our place to tell them what to do. We let them know that we love them unconditionally…no matter what they choose.

Now don’t stop reading yet. I have TWO surprises for you: 1. Some questions and answers?straight from the mouths of Shane and Marissa! And 2. A TOP SECRET surprise from them both that you WILL NOT want to miss. You’ll have to head to their blog to get the secret though…link is below the questions!

Now on to the questions (we tried to steer them away from the lack-of-a-wedding and keep the focus on their incredible transformations!!!):

Question: What was the most difficult part of your transformation?

Marissa: The most difficult part of my transformation was definitely the emotional aspect. On top of all of the physical changes, I was dealing with so much emotionally, and then having to plan a wedding on top of all that, it got quite overwhelming.
Shane: Believing in myself. I was down on myself. Frustrated with life and sick. I’d pretty much given up. Chris and Heidi believe in their clients. That belief inspired me to achieve more than I ever thought I could.

Q: What advice would you give to others just starting out?

M: I would definitely recommend what Chris and Heidi told us in the beginning: Start by making a small promise to yourself. Keep that promise. The more you keep promises to yourself, the more you begin to trust yourself again, and then you can add to the current promise, or create and keep bigger ones!
S: Go see your doctor, get checked out, then hammer down! Knowing I was medically cleared was amazing! That’s confidence! I knew I wasn’t going to die, that I wasn’t going to break into pieces, that I could do this… It is amazing what we can accomplish when we push ourselves past our comfort zone.

Q: What did you learn about yourself during this journey?

M: What didn’t I learn about myself would be a better question! This year has been quite an eye opener to all the deep-seeded issues that I didn’t realize I really had. I am still working through them all to try to reach ultimate happiness and contentment with myself.
S: Geez, how much time do you have… I needed to love myself before I could truly love anyone else.

Q: What was the best part of your transformation?

M: Feeling how I do about myself now, learning so much about myself, and having the ability to pay it forward to other people in need of a healthy transformation!
S: Having my health back and the chance to have the best second half of my life ever!

Q: What is your favorite way to work out?

M: I love sprint intervals on the treadmill for some un-God-known reason!!
S: Strength! Cardio is important, and I still put in about 30-45 minutes a day, 5 days a week, but nothing beats lifting.

Q: Tell us your favorite healthy snack!

M: I really enjoy making tortilla chips out of corn tortillas (in the microwave) and dipping them in homemade salsa and guacamole.
S: Almonds, strawberries, and black grapes.

Q: Do you guys?have a favorite?guilty pleasure or cheat day food?

M: I am a big fan of donuts, and anything sweet and carb-filled!!
S: Bacon cheeseburger with too many sweet potato fries.

Q: What was your most embarrassing EWL moment?! Anything you’re willing to share?

M: All the people asking me how much weight I had in my “weighted” vest… it was a cooling vest, and I could never just own it.. I always had to disclose the truth!!
S: We shot some workouts with fireworks going off in the back ground, amazing footage…I was farting the whole time!

Q: Please tell everyone…what is one thing viewers might not know about Chris and Heidi?

M: They have an absolutely amazing sense of humor!!
S: I can’t speak on what they might not know, but I can assure y’all they are 100% the real deal. Without a moment of hesitation, they opened their home, hearts, and minds up to me. They are caring, compassionate, and giving. I’ll tell this story till the day I die, Little Cash Powell came to me and asked “Shane, are you my Uncle Shane?” I told him no, Cash, I’m not your uncle. Later, I asked Chris if he had a brother or in-law named Shane, I explained how Cash had asked if I was his Uncle. Chris looked at me and said “no, but you know Shane, I do consider you my brother though.” They are the best!

To hear the latest and the greatest from Shane and Marissa, and to hear some pretty ground-breaking news, head to their blog:?shaneandmarissaewl.wordpress.com

You can also find Marissa on social media here:

And you can find Shane on social media here: