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Season 1
Gary & Diane Heavin: Houston, Texas
Season 1 | Episode 5 | Aired 04/3/11

Gary and Diane Heavin are the driving forces behind Curves, the world's largest fitness franchise. They give back to their Central Texas community in many ways, but now they're leaving the comforts of their luxurious home to spend six days in Houston's "Third Ward," where many live in poverty. They'll have to get by on just $6.50 a day in a one-bedroom apartment as they look for community members in need. Let's get to know a few of the folks the Heavins meet as secret millionaires.

The Lazarus House
The Lazarus House is a non-profit wellness center that helps people with chronic medical conditions. Boyd, a fitness trainer, tells Gary and Diane that the goal is to buy the house. Unfortunately, but no one is giving loans to nonprofit organizations.

Diane meets Charlie, a 23-year-old blind woman who is suffering from muscle-wasting issues associated with her HIV-positive condition. Gary meets a muscular fellow who was anything but physically fit before he came to Lazarus House years ago. This place changed their lives.

Diane and Gary return to the Lazarus House where they reveal their true identity. They hand over a check for $100,000. Tears flow. They already help so many people at this house, but this money will allow them to help so many more.

No More Victims
No More Victims is an organization that helps children with parents in jail. It was founded by former parole officer Marilyn "Mama G" Gambrell. Three times a week, Mama G brings supplies and support to families who have parents serving time or who have recently been released from prison. Believe it or not, Gary used to live in the neighborhood where Mama G makes her rounds.

The organization offers a variety programs including counseling services. Mama G breaks down when she shows examples of the pain these children are feeling. Gary and Diane sit in on a counseling session where 21-year-old Warren tells the story of when he was shot. The younger boys in the room talk about how they feel about their parents being in jail. Mama G says the cycle of being a victim stops here and now with these kids.

Gary and Diane reveal their true identity. Mama G is overwhelmed when she receives a check for $50,000 from Diane. Then Gary says it's his turn. He's impressed at how Warren has been mentoring the young boys. He gives him a check for $10,000. Everyone is stunned and everyone gets a great big group hug.

The Sean Ashley House
The Sean Ashley House is an organization for autistic children. It was founded by Gretchen Wilson, whose grandson is autistic and blind. Kelly, the house director, introduces the Heavins to Dayhab, the only rehabilitative program in Houston that specializes in autism. Gary admits that he was uncomfortable at the house, primarily because he didn't know what to expect. He's overwhelmed as he thinks about his six-year-old grandson who is also autistic.

Equine therapy provides encouraging improvement for people with autism. So, Diane and Gary head out to spend the day doing a little horseback riding with a few new friends. During the trip, a young autistic fellow named Justin communicates to Diane that he'd like a pair of glasses. Unfortunately, there aren't any in the van. As for Gary, he had been feeling a tad awkward up until now. What he experiences today will undoubtedly help him in relating to his grandson in the years to come.

Kelly and Gretchen learn that Diane and Gary are secret millionaires. They are utterly stunned to receive a check for $250,000. Tears flow from both givers and the receivers. The money is a wonderful thing, but the most emotional moment comes later. Diane gives Justin a brand new pair of sunglasses. The sheer joy seen in his face is overwhelming. In fact, it's priceless.

Episode Photos See all
  • How did you become Millionaires?   We're the founders of Curves, the fastest growing franchise in history,  with nearly 8,000 clubs worldwide, yet we remember a time when Curves  was still just a dream.    Is there anything that would surprise viewers to learn about you?  We remember what it was like to be unsure about our next paycheck and to  know that if we took a day off, there was no one to do the work.  We  remember personally delivering fitness equipment in the back of our old  pick-up truck, and starting our products line out of our garage.  We did  it all and there were times when we were exhausted and worried about  money.  During those times, we volunteered at a local food bank and  always came away grateful for the opportunities that our hard work could  create.     Why did you want to be a part of the show? Over the years, as our business grew, we've continued to be "hands on"  in our giving.  We've flown our own plane full of supplies and doctors  to Haiti several times, raised funds for breast cancer research,  participated in Habitat for Humanity home builds, and worked actively  with domestic abuse victims and the homeless in our community, just to  name a few.  So when ABC offered us the opportunity to participate in Secret Millionaire, we felt it would be another adventure we could share together, hands on.         Check back after the episode for more thoughts that Gary and Diane had on their particular episode.   ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ We also talked to Gary & Diane about their experience after filming the show:   What surprised you most about your experience as a "Secret Millionaire"?  We realize that what we experienced for a week was just a very small sample of the difficult life so many people live day after day, with no end in sight. We didn't think that living one week in rough conditions on a miniscule budget would transform us or even give us a better understanding of this life, however, it WAS a life changing experience and one that we feel blessed to have been a part of.      Has your life changed since this experience?  In what ways?  We were so moved by the people we met and the courage they show, every day, that after the lights and cameras were gone, we slipped back into Houston over the holidays, with our daughter, to deliver Christmas presents and spend time celebrating the holidays with our new friends.        We saw firsthand, community in action. It takes everyone, using each of their gifts-resources, talent, time, support, love and good old fashioned kindness--to build a strong, healthy community. Everyone has something they can give, and the neat thing is, when you use your gift, giving is easy.
  • SECRET MILLIONAIRE - "Gary & Diane Heavin" (ABC/VIVIAN ZINK)
  • SECRET MILLIONAIRE - "Gary & Diane Heavin" (ABC/VIVIAN ZINK)
  • SECRET MILLIONAIRE - "Gary & Diane Heavin" (ABC/VIVIAN ZINK) CARY HENSLEY, GARY HEAVIN, DIANE HEAVIN