Samir Becic is known for completing extreme physical challenges.

While wearing a 73.5-pound vest, the locally-based fitness trainer ran seven marathons in eight weeks in 2017.

In 2018, he wore a 200-pound weighted vest for six weeks to simulate living as a morbidly obese person.

Becic, who was appointed “Fitness Czar” of Houston in November by Mayor Sylvester Turner, told Chron.com his intent, then and now, is to spread the message of a healthy lifestyle.

His latest project? Ranking Houston’s 10 fittest TV news personalities.

“For decades, Houston has been known as one of the the fattest cities in the U.S.,” Becic said. “People in TV news are visible and can be an example for others in this city.”

Becic said he reviewed the lifestyles of 120 Houston TV news personalities before whittling down the list to 10 based on three factors: Physical activity and nutrition, which is 50 percent of the total score, and age, which accounts for 25 percent.

How much the individual promotes health and fitness onscreen, on social media and at public makes up the remaining 25 percent.

Becic’s top 10 list includes Fox 26 reporter Ivory Hecker, who ranked high for her dedication to a regular workout routine and healthy eating.

KTRK anchor Chauncy Glover, who keeps fit by hitting the gym regularly and playing recreational sports, also made the cut.

In addition to Becic’s top 10 fittest in TV, he also named three honorary TV news personalities to the list: Dominique Sachse, Melissa Wilson and Deborah Duncan.

“They go above and beyond to promote health and fitness in our great city,” he said. “They are also extremely fit. They have no competition.”

What’s next for Becic? Ranking both the fittest Houston radio personalities and the fittest Houston print/digital journalists, he said.

See above for Becic’s list of the 10 fittest TV personalities in Houston, along with his three honorary members.

Marcy de Luna is a digital reporter. You can follow her on Twitter @MarcydeLuna and Facebook @MarcydeLuna. Read her stories on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com. | Marcy.deLuna@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message