Raiders hopeful Lou Goodwin won his NRL contract on a reality television show, but his time in Canberra has been more like a reverse version of The Biggest Loser than The Rookie.
Goodwin has been getting up at 2am to drink protein shakes, shovelling in more chicken than you could imagine and eating almost 24 hours a day to stack on weight for his NRL dream.
The dedicated weight-gain schedule has paid off with Goodwin starting Raiders training 10 kilograms heavier than he was when he won the Channel Nine show in August with an NRL deal as the prize.
His mission is to break into a powerful Raiders forward pack that boasts internationals and possibly a rejuvenated Dave Taylor wrecking ball.
The 25-year-old was told his 91 kilogram frame was too light for an NRL back-rower when he linked with the Green Machine.
So to add power to his game, Goodwin has spent the past few months eating. And eating. And eating to get to 101 kilograms.
"You eat before you go to bed, wake up at about 2am and have a shake and go back to sleep," Goodwin said.
"Wake up in the morning and have seven Weet-Bixs, bananas, yoghurt, chicken sandwiches, snacks, chicken burgers, tuna and keep going every day.
"I did it for about three months. I was pretty sick of chicken.
"I doubted myself a bit with my fitness at the start because I'm 10 kilograms heavier than I have ever been so I've never run at this weight.
"If I can maintain the weight for the rest of the season it will be good so we'll see how I go."
Goodwin was coached by league legend Brad Fittler on his way to winning The NRL Rookie title to open the door to his NRL ambitions.
He could get a chance to impress at the Auckland Nines pre-season tournament or the Raiders' trial match, and he's vowed to leave no stone unturned in his quest.
The former country rugby league star faces some stiff competition to get a chance in the hulking Green Machine forward pack that already boasts giants Junior Paulo, Shannon Boyd and Josh Papalii.
Goodwin is also giving almost 30 kilograms away in the battle against form State of Origin powerhouse Taylor, who is training with the Raiders in the hope of winning a full-time contract.
At 101 kilograms, Goodwin will be one of the lightest forwards in the team but he has taken confidence from watching former NSW Cup teammate Clay Priest break into the top squad.
"Everything is unknown for me at the moment ... I can't plan anything so I've just got to rip and tear for now," Goodwin said.
"The uncertainty plays a bit in the back of your mind ... [Taylor] is a bit of competition. We're both second-rowers so I've got to keep showing up and proving myself.
"I think he's got about 50 kilos each leg, he's a big boy. It's going to be a real challenge to get into [the Raiders' game-day 17], but it gives you something to strive for.
"[Priest] is a real good role model and seeing him do it gives you that hope you can do it as well."