Alumna Stars in ‘Good Morning America’ Fitness Challenge

Magdelynn Wigoda '22 MS '25 is no stranger to stepping up for the benefit of others.

As a founder and president of East Stroudsburg University's chapter of The Hidden Opponent, she helped normalize the conversation on campus surrounding mental health in college athletics by establishing a space for ESU student-athletes to talk openly about their struggles.

So when an opportunity came about to promote health and wellbeing in an even bigger way, Wigoda once again decided to put herself out there - this time on the national stage.

Wigoda recently completed Good Morning America's "Six-Week Shape Up," a fitness challenge aimed at improving wellness and developing healthy everyday habits. Wigoda, along with her two fellow participants, were introduced to viewers of the longstanding morning show in a May 4 kickoff segment led by host Robin Roberts.

"The Poconos-based teacher and coach is ready to kickstart a new fitness routine," Roberts narrated as photos of Wigoda flashed on screen.

Over the next six weeks, Wigoda recorded her progress in a series of video updates that GMA aired on its broadcast, website and social media channels.

Whether it was playing pickleball or practicing yoga, Wigoda went outside her comfort zone and let the public follow along on her personal fitness journey so others could learn from it, she said.

"Watching yourself on TV after you grew up watching Good Morning America as a kid, it's a cool thing to hear people say that they watched it with their family and that it helped their child or helped them because they felt stuck," Wigoda said.

Wigoda's growth at ESU was rooted in helping others. A dedicated volunteer, she was awarded the University Leadership Award in her senior year in 2022 for her work with numerous groups, including the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, the Sign Language Club, Autism Speaks U, East Stroudsburg Shutters and ESU's Career and Independent Living and Learning Studies (CILLS) program. She received her bachelor's degree in communications sciences and disorders in 2022 and earned a master's degree in communication sciences and disorders in 2025.

A former captain of ESU's women's basketball team, she also opened up to her fellow student-athletes about her own mental health struggles after an ACL tear caused her to miss her entire senior season. The Hidden Opponent, established the previous year, gave her a safe space to do so.

"Thinking back to my freshman year, I didn't really have an idea of the importance of mental health as a student-athlete, especially at the collegiate level. It just wasn't talked about," she said. "I think that's why I wanted to help bring it here, for my younger self."

In choosing a goal for the "Six-Week Shape Up" challenge, Wigoda wanted to get back to the basics of diet and exercise she followed in those days of being an ESU student-athlete.

Good Morning America paired her with fitness expert Robin Arzon and nutritionist Maya Feller, who armed her with a workout plan and tips on healthy eating. As a special education teacher for Behavioral Health Associates in Lehighton, Pa., an assistant varsity basketball coach at East Stroudsburg South High School and an assistant varsity softball coach at Lehighton Area High School, the team helped her develop a strategy that was heavy on smart snack options for being on the go, coupled with daily movement.

The challenge concluded on June 15, with Wigoda giving Good Morning America viewers a final check-in on her six-week transformation.

"I think these six weeks, I've felt more like myself than I have before," she said.

Though she lost 10 pounds during the challenge, Wigoda is prouder of what she gained.

"I didn't know what to expect going into it, but I knew I'd walk away with something I could use to make these important lifestyle changes last," Wigoda said.

Watch the results of Good Morning America's "Six Week Shape Up" challenge.