Samr “Rocky” Tayeh was first introduced to journalism when he joined Radio Rookies in 2003 and produced the radio documentary "My Struggle with Obesity," which won an honorable mention at the 2005 Third Coast Audio Festival. The audience and media response to his personal account of living as a fat teenager put Rocky at the center of the public discussion about the national childhood obesity epidemic.
Rocky has appeared in numerous print articles and television shows, including documentaries on The Food Network and PBS, both airing in 2007. Since Rocky's first story aired, he has produced three additional radio pieces for WNYC and NPR (on topics other than his weight). Rocky is 19, a freshman in college, and studying broadcast journalism. He lives in Brooklyn, New York .
Samr "Rocky" Tayeh appears in the following:
Making Unhealthy Meals Less Happy Meals
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tuesday, the board of supervisors in Santa Clara County, California, decided to take a step further in the fight against obesity: they banned toy giveaways with kids' meals that don't meet certain nutritional standards. (Overall calorie count and salt content chief among them.) This is the latest attempt in a series of measures taken by counties, cities and states to combat obesity, and is widely seen as specifically targeting McDonalds' Happy Meals.
Radio Rookies 10 Year Anniversary: Where Are They Now?
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Today we hear from Samr “Rocky” Tayeh, who first went on the radio in 2003 to report on his life as an obese teenager. Since then, Rocky had weight loss surgery and dropped 300 pounds. Now he’s trying out some of the things that were impossible for someone so overweight, like learning how to ride a bike.
Radio Rookie Rocky Tayeh - 300 pounds later
Sunday, November 08, 2009
This week Radio Rookies is celebrating its 10th Anniversary and checking in with some of the past Rookies.
Growing Up, Getting By
Friday, July 10, 2009
WNYC’s Radio Rookies program takes listeners inside the most intimate moments of teenager’s lives. Now, for the first time, we present a special, “Growing Up, Getting By”, an hour of stories and interviews about how teenagers find their way to adulthood.
How To Survive Teasing
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Students Speak Out
Friday, December 19, 2008
Saying Good Bye To Food
Friday, March 30, 2007
Subways
Sunday, October 24, 2004
Midwood Commentaries
Thursday, September 30, 2004
My Struggle with Obesity
Saturday, November 01, 2003
