Brandon "Bam" Margera, a name synonymous with skateboarding, Jackass, and Viva La Bam, has had a highly publicized journey through fame, fortune, and personal struggles. This article explores his battles with weight, alcoholism, and bulimia, as well as his path toward recovery and a healthier lifestyle, using information about his family, career, and experiences on reality television, particularly Celebrity Fit Club.
Early Life and Rise to Fame
Bam Margera's journey began with skateboarding. By his early twenties, he was a millionaire. The article mentions how Bam and his friends, fueled by the lens of a video camera, engaged in dangerous stunts, compiling videos they dubbed Camp Kill Yourself, or CKY for short. These videos gained popularity and landed Bam a role on Jackass, a show that broadcasted his life to a wider audience.
His parents, April and Phil Margera, became integral parts of his on-screen antics, particularly in Viva La Bam, which was filmed at their home. The show's success brought them fame, but also challenges, as they navigated the chaos and unpredictability of Bam's world.
Celebrity Fit Club and Phil Margera
The information provided indicates that Phil Margera participated in Celebrity Fit Club. The show followed overweight celebrities as they tried to lose weight, engaging in physical challenges and monitored by a team of experts, including a nutritionist, psychologist, and physical trainer. The show aimed to shed pounds and inhibitions, revealing celebrities as never before. Participants dealt with rivalry and self-discovery.
Bam's Struggles with Alcoholism and Bulimia
As Bam's skateboarding career began to slow, he turned to other pursuits, including music. But the article notes that by 2003, when he landed his own show Viva La Bam on MTV, Margera’s meteoric rise had already become a slow crawl into darkness and away from skateboarding. Epicly Later'd chronicled Bam’s return to the deck, it was clear that these demons had played a major role in the ups and downs with his health, his relationships, and, ultimately, his ability to skateboard. He struggled with alcoholism, often consuming large amounts of vodka and Gatorade. He admitted to a terrible diet, fueled by calories from booze and late-night binges.
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His mother, April Margera, revealed that Bam struggled with bulimia, particularly during his friendship with Ville Valo, the vocalist for the band HIM. April Margera noticed Bam's desire to maintain a slim physique and suspected that he was throwing up after meals to avoid gaining weight. She connected this behavior to Bam's admiration for Ville Valo, who she said "never ate, he just drank."
Bam himself acknowledged that people on the internet would say, “When Bam gets older, he’ll be fat like his dad.” He didn't believe in genes, but was still affected by the comments. He admitted that he learned how to throw up on command and would often do so after drinking too much and stuffing his face with food.
The Road to Recovery
Eventually, Bam realized the negative impact of his lifestyle and decided to make a change. He recognized that he had wasted a lot of time and could have been a better skateboarder if he hadn't been drinking so heavily.
He started to focus on his health, both physically and mentally. He began eating better and exercising, which helped him get back on his skateboard. He lost weight, going from 230 pounds to 200 pounds. He even went to Estonia to bike and hike.
Sobriety has been a key part of Bam's recovery. He sought help from friends, like Brandon Novak, who has been sober for years. He also consulted a doctor, who prescribed medication to help him curb his alcohol cravings.
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Family Support and New Beginnings
Throughout his struggles, Bam has had the support of his family. His parents, April and Phil, have been by his side, even through the most challenging times.
News of Bam's wife's pregnancy also served as a catalyst for change. He has expressed a desire to be a good father and role model for his child.
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