Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/78449
KING OF THE ICE ROAD in former independent owner-operator Bryan Dax's Red Giant Diamond Reo, considered the biggest big rig in the world, driving from truck stop to truck stop to meet fans. "He's a hillbilly philosopher," says McGinnis, "and people are drawn to him for his relentless honesty and the way he looks at life. I found him to be smart, literary and a thoughtful person underneath a gruff exterior." McGinnis, who also lives in Yellowknife, believes Debogorski "put Yellowknife on the map. He's our Health scare Alex Debogorski had a life-changing experience during the filming of season two. He weighed about 285 pounds, had poor eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle. He also had a history of heart problems, having been diagnosed in his 30s with a heart murmur. He had heart valve surgery in 2002, when doctors dis- covered he had hyperthyroidism. In the middle of filming the sea- son, Debogorski felt what he thought were the effects of the medication: irregular heartbeat and a sky-high heart rate. He started to feel worse, then began coughing up blood. He was medically evacuated from Inuvik to Yellowknife, where he spent 10 days in the hospital and then months recovering from a pulmo- nary embolism. "I stopped smoking and chew- ing and began eating healthier," Debogorski says. Quitting was tough, and he credits family support and lots of prayer for his ability to get through it. He began eating smaller portions, reading food labels and working out with light weights. unofficial ambassador." That representation is hardly limited to the show. Debogorski is a popular fixture on the trade show circuit and has made celebrity appear- ances in dozens of cities throughout the world, says his son and business manager, Curtis Debogorski, 36. "He's got an air of unpredictability and is a real blue-collar guy," he says. "People are drawn by his authenticity and, of course, his storytelling." The sixth season is finished and next year's plans are uncertain. Typically, "They let us know in December and then it's back on the road," Curtis says. "But the ratings are strong, so that's always a good sign. Viewers always say they love his big personality and great laugh." 82 | Overdrive | September 2012 Text INFO to 50298 or visit ovdinfo.com