The Biggest Loser trainer Bob Harper came out as gay in this week’s episode to try and encourage contestant Bobby Saleem, who was struggling with his own sexuality.

"I haven't talked about my sexuality on this show ever. And now, meeting Bobby, I really do believe this is the right time. I want to show Bobby that he doesn't have to live in shame,” he said on the show.

E! Online reports when Saleem revealed he was having issues coming out to his father, Harper made a point to sit down with the contestant and share his own story.

He showed some words of encouragement to Saleem, saying "I'm gay. I knew I very long time ago that I was gay. When I came out -- when I was 17 years old -- it was one of those things where I realized that there was going to be so many obstacles, but being gay doesn't mean being weak. And being gay doesn't mean that you are less than anybody else. It's just who you are,” The Hollywood Gossip reports.

After the show aired, Harper took to Twitter to thank his fans for supporting his decision to come out in an effort to help Saleem.

“THANK YOU to everyone that supported my decision to talk about being gay w/ Bobby. I felt like it was appropriate & necessary. LOVE Y'ALL!!” he wrote.

image: NBC