A Northwest Indiana Life in the Spotlight: Mike Bonaventura

mike-bonaventuraSuccess comes in different packages for DJ who lot 130 pounds

Mike Bonaventura does what most people spend their lives striving for. He works at a job he loves.

"Everything has been just so much fun for me," said Bonaventura, a Crown Point resident who not only is a DJ for weddings but who also does voice-over work for commercials, as well as radio imaging.

Bonaventura basically fell into an on-air news-announcer job on WWJY 103.9 in Crown Point, fresh out of college (where he majored in acting) at the age of 22 and hasn't looked back. That first job launched him into a plethora of radio jobs: a DJ at WJOB, where he co-hosted the Mike and Dave Show, then Z107, where he soon became a DJ, and other behind-the-scenes opportunities. Now his main gig is working as a wedding and event DJ for Trans Audio Professional Emcees in Crown Point.

"When I was a kid growing up in Whiting I was a big fan of Larry Lujack. I always listened to Uncle Lare. I loved the personality side of radio," Bonaventura said.

Mike-Bonaventura-before"I love putting commercials and radio imaging together. It takes a lot of imagination and you get to write stuff," he said.

"It's been a blessing," Bonaventura said of his chosen profession. "I've never had to work a day in my life. I had a lot of opportunities to be an actor. But once I got on the radio its been a career that's lasted me a long time. What I get to do right now, you can't beat it. I get to go in front of a crowd, play music and entertain them. I love the whole dynamic of being in front of people. The gratifying thing is after you do that wedding their friends and family hire you and you get to see people you've played for over the years."

But while Bonaventura's professional life was moving upward, so was his weight. He eventually tipped the scales at 340 pounds. In 2005 he was diagnosed with Type II diabetes.

"I had smoked for 30 years, I had high blood pressure and I led an unhealthy lifestyle," Bonaventura said.

Then in 2010 his doctor told him about Weight Watchers.

"She was on it, herself," Bonaventura said. "I joined the Crown Point Weight Watchers and it has just been a phenomenally positive experience. I really worked toward my goal and I've lost 130 pounds."

Bonaventura started the program in January, 2011. By February, 2012 he'd lost 100 pounds. It took another 8 to 9 months to take off the extra 30 because he'd reached a plateau. During that time, Bonaventura was was taken off blood pressure medication and today his blood pressure is completely normal. Four weeks ago he was taken off diabetes medication.

"My cholesterol is perfect," he said. "Life has really changed for me in that regard. I'm a slimmer and very energetic 49-year-old."

Bonaventura has a message he'd like to share with anyone who's looking to lose weight, though. First, January is a popular time to make New Year's resolutions and begin weight-loss programs.

"By the time March rolls around everybody usually gives up and quits," he said. "I want to tell people, 'Don't give up. It's a reward in and of itself.'"

Second, Bonaventura stressed that he's not being paid to promote Weight Watchers.

"I think it's a great program and really works wonders for people," he said. "One thing I like about it is there's so much accountability in the program. You really can't fail if you show up every week at the meetings and really focus on you goal. I'm so much healthier and happier. It made the last two years of my life wonderful.

"I still go to Weight Watchers every week," Bonaventura noted.

He also goes to the gym. A self-proclaimed serial exerciser, Bonaventura works out 6 days a week.

"You get to enjoy it," he said. He joined Anytime Fitness, a national chain of gyms, which enables him to exercise no matter where he is.

"Maggie Keilman is my trainer," Bonaventura said. "She's great. Everything I learned about fitness I learned from her. You develop a wonderful camaraderie with people and they're always willing to help to you and give you tips and pointers."

Bonaventura also advises finding a gym that's open and friendly.

"It took me a long time to where I was comfortable exercising," he said. "For me it was when I'd lost 60 pounds. Then I turned it up a notch and never stopped. "When you're overweight and in that obese category a lot of things are so difficult to do. Sometimes getting up and walking is hard. If you feel you've had enough, change it. Everybody can have a small change to improve the quality of your life.

"Immerse yourself. Make yourself accountable," Bonaventura said. "Tell people what you're doing. Facebook has Weight Watchers groups. Human interaction is really an excellent place to be. There's nothing like talking to a person at a meeting and understanding we're all fighting for the same thing."

Taking it a step at a time will get you there, Bonaventura said.

"Start small, but start," he said. "As time went on I saw the results with blood tests and in the mirror and I didn't want to go back. Now I know my health was on the decline. Being so heavy puts a lot of stress on your bones, joints, muscles, heart and other organs. It's really good to wake up in the morning and want to go to the gym and want to go to work."

Bonaventura's new-found zest for life has spilled over into his work.

"You really get more positive in your thinking," he said. "When I go in front of an audience I have more energy than I used to at 340 pounds. It feels so much better and I'm able to give that enthusiasm to people when I play for their wedding or event. So many people remember me at a heavy weight and don't recognize me. They're astounded.

"Everybody has their own career path and sets of ups and downs, but I really do think it certainly seems it's on the way up for me," said Bonaventura. "I just enjoy what I do. Whether I'm doing radio or a live performance I'm so happy to be able to do that for a living. I'm just a lucky guy."