Allen Zadoff (that’s me) is a writer who used to be fat. I spent my early years eating and dreaming of writing good stuff. Now I write a lot and don’t eat nearly as much. Funny how these things work themselves out.

I’m a graduate of Cornell University (renowned for its dining halls) and the Harvard University Institute for Advanced Theater Training (where I can tell you the food is not nearly as good). During my previous career as a stage director, my work was seen at the American Repertory Theater, BACA Downtown, New York Theater Workshop, W.H.A.T., and the Cornell Center for the Performing Arts.

Why didn’t I do more directing?  Um, my eating kind of got out of control, and it’s hard to direct with a double cheeseburger in your mouth. I ate my way up over 350 pounds.  But that’s where the story gets interesting because after years of out-of-control eating, my life changed and my body along with it. That’s what the book is all about.

It’s pretty humbling to admit you got your butt kicked by a bag of Doritos, but it’s the truth.  I had to find a way to live each day without eating myself into oblivion. I share what I learned in Hungry.