The Rise and Fall of Jared Fogle: A Cautionary Tale

Read Time:3 Minute, 58 Second

Unfortunately, some individuals reach great heights only to make poor decisions that lead to their downfall. Such is the story of Jared Fogle, Subway’s once-celebrated spokesperson. Fogle gained widespread fame after losing weight by eating Subway sandwiches, but his success was marred by his 2015 sentencing for disseminating child pornography and engaging in sexual conduct with a minor, resulting in a maximum jail term of fifteen years.

Early Life and Background

Jared Scott Fogle, also known as “the Subway guy,” was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on August 23, 1977. He was raised in a Jewish household by his parents, Norman and Adrienne Fogle, along with his two younger siblings. Fogle completed his secondary education at Indianapolis North Central High School in 1995 and continued his studies at Indiana University. His first job out of college was a brief stint with American Trans Air.

The Subway Diet and Rise to Fame

Fogle’s dramatic weight loss story went viral in April 1999, catapulting him to fame. In just one year, he shed 245 pounds thanks to his own “Subway diet.” Despite being a severely obese twenty-year-old junior at Indiana University in 1998, weighing 425 pounds and standing 6 feet, 2 inches tall, Fogle found a solution in Subway sandwiches. Consuming about 10,000 calories a day, he drastically changed his diet after discovering a Subway advertisement highlighting sandwiches with six grams of fat or less.

Using a nutritional booklet from Subway, Fogle created his own eating plan, focusing on sandwiches without high-calorie condiments like mayonnaise. He also incorporated walking to class instead of taking the bus. This regimen led to an astounding 245-pound weight loss in the first year, and he continued to shed weight thereafter. A friend who was an editor at the Indiana Daily Student revealed Fogle’s weight loss story.

In early 2000, Subway’s national advertising agency approached Fogle with an offer to lead their nationwide campaign. The initial test television advertising campaign introduced Fogle and his story on January 1, 2000. It emphasised that the “Subway diet, combined with a lot of walking, worked for Jared,” but advised consulting a physician before starting a new diet regimen. Despite the disclaimer, Fogle’s story resonated with many, leading to frequent television appearances and in-store appearances nationwide.

Sustained Popularity and Media Presence

Fogle’s popularity extended beyond Subway commercials. He was featured in the 2002 “South Park” episode “Jared Has Aides,” a portrayal he found flattering despite its typically tasteless humour. In February 2008, a Subway ad campaign named “Tour de Pants” celebrated Fogle’s ten-year weight loss journey. As part of the campaign, he donated his now-iconic pair of 62-inch pants to a museum.

For over fifteen years, Fogle was Subway’s go-to spokesperson. His success allowed him to participate in various opportunities, including two appearances in WWE in 2009 and 2011. He also made cameos in the “Sharknado” films, although his appearance in “Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!” was cut from the Syfy Channel broadcast due to the FBI investigation of his home one week prior to the premiere. By 2013, Fogle had shot more than 300 ads for Subway and continued to give lectures and make appearances.

From 1998 to 2011, Subway’s revenue tripled, with a third of that rise attributed to Fogle. He appeared on shows like “Larry King Live” and “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” further cementing his status as a motivational speaker and author. He spent nearly 200 days a year touring the nation.

Personal Life

Fogle married Elizabeth Christie, a pediatric nurse, in 2001, but the couple divorced in 2007. In November 2009, he became engaged to educator Kathleen McLaughlin, and they married in 2010, having two children together. However, following Fogle’s charges of child pornography and sex with minors, McLaughlin announced her intention to divorce him on August 19, 2015. Jared reportedly paid a $7 million settlement to his ex-wife.

Height, Weight, and Net Worth

Jared Fogle stands at a height of 1.87 meters (6 feet, 2 inches). Despite his fall from grace, Fogle’s net worth remains a point of interest. Once worth between $10 and $15 million, he made $2 million annually at the height of his career as a motivational speaker and spokesperson. However, his net worth has significantly decreased due to legal fees and settlements, including the divorce settlement to his ex-wife.

Conclusion

Jared Fogle’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of poor decisions. His rise to fame through the Subway diet and subsequent fall from grace due to criminal activities highlight the complexities of public figures’ lives. Despite his initial success, Fogle’s legacy is now overshadowed by his criminal actions, a stark reminder of the consequences of one’s choices.