WYLIE BRINGS PASSION, AWARENESS–AND THE STARS–TO BEST BUDDIES
Though he may be most widely recognized for his stint on season three of The Biggest Loser, Mark Wylie’s lengthiest gig is that as the first–and most tenured–employee of Best Buddies, a Miami-based nonprofit that builds friendships and integrated employment opportunities for those with intellectual disabilities. As Vice President of Talent Relations, Wylie’s enthusiasm, compassion, and special knack for connecting with celebs have him propelling Best Buddies into the spotlight–right where it belongs.
Wylie with Best Buddies supporter Vanessa Hudgens
We first caught wind of the organization when media pal Ken Langdon of Las Vegas’ Heat Communications emailed us last December saying that a Best Buddies chapter had opened its doors in town, fueled by a $1 million donation. The monster sum would allow the chapter to operate all six of the Best Buddies formal programs, which include Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies, and Jobs. Founded by Anthony Shriver, son of some serious humanitarian stock, (mom Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded Special Olympics and dad Sargent Shriver was one of the original founders of the Peace Corps), Best Buddies was born out of the desire to recognize, include, and celebrate those with intellectual disabilities by providing friendship as a solution to loneliness and isolation. The group which celebrates is 20th anniversary this year, is a passionate, vibrant, and ground-breaking entity…as is Wylie himself.
HB: How and when did you originally become involved with Best Buddies?
MW: After college I moved to D.C.; Anthony Shriver and I had been friends, and he was starting up Best Buddies at Georgetown. I’m really blessed in that I just kind of fell into working for it. I started as a volunteer, and eventually became the first actual employee.
HB: What makes Best Buddies so special for you…personally?
MW: Growing up I was always the odd kid out, always on the outside looking in. I was overweight and had self-esteem issues. For people with intellectual disabilities it’s very similar. They’re often shut in at home; they may have caretakers or parents, but their only friend may be the TV. So being part of Best Buddies is my way of saying hey, this shouldn’t be. It gives me the opportunity to kind of heal the wounds and pay it forward. It absolutely changed my life. And I want to share that. People with intellectual disabilities can teach us so much. We need to see their beauty–not shun them for their differences.
HB: The Middle School and High School programs really stand out to me…it’s a time when kids can experience a lot of mistreatment by peers.
MW: Exactly. And these programs give students a chance to really run the whole show at their school. It’s like they get to become the CEO of a company. And they’re the future–the ones who need to get in there and plant the seeds, do the fertilizing, and really build something for the generations to come.
Tom Brady and Best Buddies founder Anthony Shriver next to the Best Buddies Audi RS4 Friendship car. (Who's taller?!)
HB: How has your appearance on The Biggest Loser affected or tied into your work at Best Buddies?
MW: Doing the show was one of the best–and hardest–things in my life. And it’s been a wonderful way of merging my old and new life. Since then I’ve been able to develop a workout program; I do a low impact class for people with disabilities and I’m also developing a workout DVD.
Wylie and exercise buddy workin' up a sweat
PHOTO: Laurence L. Levin
HB: What are your responsibilities as Vice President of Talent Relations?
MW: I reach out to celebrities to come to our events and also to become spokespersons for Best Buddies–I’m the liaison. I work to form the relationships and also to maintain them…to stay in close touch. Our celebrities all do such a great job for us and we really want to maintain close ties.
We asked Wylie to describe some of the celebs involved with Best Buddies…here’s what he had to say:
Cindy Crawford: “One of the best…we adore Cindy!”
Rob Lowe: “Rob comes to our California/Hearst Castle Ride. He’s very very hands-on with the events, and a great inspiration.”
At the Audi Best Buddies Hearst Castle Challenge
David Caruso: “David’s on our Board of Directors. He has his own Best Buddy, Jorge, here in Miami. They spend time together, go to events together, and Jorge has even visited him on the set [of CSI: Miami]. David’s daughter introduced him to Best Buddies; she was active with the program at Yale. He’s incredibly involved.” [Caruso has been honored with Best Buddies' highest honor, The Spirit of Leadership Award.]
Carl Lewis: “Amazing. He’s a staunch, long-time supporter, and comes to every event he can. He’s even hosted events at his home, and goes way, way beyond the call of duty.”
Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis with very happy buddy
Vanessa Hudgens: “She’s this teen sensation, showing that we’re all here on this planet together, to coexist and be friends. Vanessa really brings the message home.”
Vanessa and buddies at the Miami Gala
PHOTO: Laurence L. Levin
Nancy O’Dell: Nancy is a huge advocate for Best Buddies; she’s always mentioning us. Her aunt Ellen, who passed away a few years ago, had an intellectual disability. When Nancy was a cheerleader in high school, she remembers her aunt saying, ‘Why can’t I be a cheerleader too?’ She wishes Best Buddies had been around back then, and says her aunt would’ve loved it. She’s incredible for us…we love Nancy.” [Nancy is also a past recipient of the Spirit of Leadership Award.]
Access Hollywood host and bigtime Best Buddies rallier
HB: The bonding that takes place with Best Buddies seems reminiscent of Special Olypmics–so many have described how their life has changed once they’re involved.
MW: That’s what it’s all about, the bond that’s formed…but prolonging it. With Special Olympics, wonderful relationships are built in that week and volunteers are so touched. In creating Best Buddies, we asked that very question: How can we keep those ties going? How can we make it last longer?
HB: What do you think the effect is on people once they participate in a Best Buddies event?
MW: What seems to happen–and I know this happened for me–is that when you become involved, you think, ‘Okay, I’m going to help this person who’s unfortunate. I’ll go be selfless…that’ll be a nice thing to do for them.’ Then afterward you feel like you’ve actually done something pretty selfish; you feel like you’ve gotten way more out of it than the person you intended to help, and benefited much more than they did. It’s pretty ironic.
HB: A wonderful irony.
MW: Yes!
With his new dedication to health & fitness, Wylie dropped 129 pounds!
HB: The anonymous donor for the Vegas chapter…can you tell us anything about that person?
MW: All I can say is that they’re very philanthropic, and wanted to give back. We’d just started there in Vegas and the donation came in within the first couple of months. What an amazing gift.
HB: We hear you’re writing a children’s book. What’s the scoop?
MW: It’s called A Little Girl Named Willie and it’s about a child who’s been ostracized by the neighborhood kids, and falls in love with a little dog. It’s a story about health fitness, and not letting your dreams be altered just because you’re not the cookie cutter one might see on TV or in magazines. We’re looking for representation right now–I’m really excited about it.
HB: Thank you so much, Mark. Best Buddies is phenomenal.
MW: Thank you. Hopefully we’ll see you at one of our events!
Speaking of which, two very cool events Best Buddies has are their Audi Challenges…one on each coast! The Hyannis Port Challenge on May 30th, where Tom Brady serves as honorary chairperson, gives bikers three distance options, ranging from 20 to 100 miles, with all rides culminating at Craigsville Beach on the Cape…not to mention the lobster bake, dancing, concert, and all out funfest. Run/walk options are available too.
Brady and lucky buddy
The Hearst Castle Challenge offers four biking options with breathtaking Pacific Coast Highway views, ending with a gourmet barbecue and dancing on the Hearst Ranch, and a chance to hang out with Carl Lewis, Rob Lowe, and other celebs.
Honorary Hearst Castle Challenge Chairperson (and First Lady of California) Maria Shriver
FAST FACTS:
- Best Buddies has grown from one original chapter to more than 1,400 college, high school, and middle school campuses in all 50 states, as well as internationally…covering 42 countries on six continents
- Best Buddies volunteers annually contribute services to the community that equate to more than $70 million USD
- Intellectual disabilities affect an estimated 6.2 to 7.5 Americans, as reported in the 1990 census, and close to 200 million worldwide
“BEST BUDDIES envisions a world where people with intellectual disabilities are so successfully integrated into our schools, our workplaces and our general communities that our current efforts and services will be unnecessary.” (Click here for Best Buddies full Mission, Vision and Goals)…and then sign up for one of their awesome events!
What a beautiful organiztion! Super read. Thank you for sharing…
CYT (Christian Youth Theater) also has a differently abled group. It’s a CYT community outreach and their is no fee for enrollment. This is my 6th play to watch them. You can see they just love it!
All the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jackie
Thank you for sharing the story on Mark Wylie! I remember him from being on The Biggest Loser, but had no idea about his connection with Best Buddies. Good for him for taking charge of his own health and then continuing to give back to this fine organization.