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Brian was easy to coach. He started in August of 2007 with 21.4% body fat. He leaves us, six months later, close to 10% body fat. Brian used our Precision Nutrition Coaching Program to create a new healthy lifestyle of eating well. He will tell you he does not “diet”. Brian will tell anyone that asks or doesn’t ask, “It is just being smart about food choices. It’s easy.” |
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 Brian, I work with lots of people that make a quick change and then they’re done. They go back to the lifestyle that got them into bad shape, and I will see them next year. But you get it. You took the time to understand how to feed your body and it shows. You made significant incremental changes and developed habits that will extend your life and health. Tell me, what has changed?
Well, if I had to sum it up in one word, it would be “awareness.” After years of thinking I had a decent understanding of what healthy, balanced eating was, I feel like a whole new world (that was always there) has been shown to me in the last couple of months. I look at food completely different now. I have always enjoyed eating, and eating a lot (ask anyone!). But now, I eat and enjoy food EVEN MORE! And that is something I did not think possible. |
You have suffered from many injuries and ailments. You have, what world renowned Stuart McGill calls, a TFB (totally f*#@!’d back). But, you were able to rise above your pains and still make remarkable progress. I absolutely love it when people ditch the excuses and find solutions to their problems. How and where did you find solutions for your TFB?
Well it seems I have dealt with “TFB” a long time so I have developed a certain level of stubbornness. I just don’t want it to stop me from doing things that maximize my enjoyment of life. From all of my experiences with chiropractors, doctors, etc, I have enough knowledge of the back to be “dangerous.” However, within a few weeks of working with you I realized that my understanding of many aspects of back health were a little off. Things like everyday movements in life as well as form during exercise impact real “back stability and health.”
Explain how daily postural and spinal awareness has helped your back pain.
Well, first of all, through the various exercises and programs you have taught me, my “core” is stronger than it ever was, and consequently, my posture is better. Secondly, I am consciously aware of “activating the core” and maintaining good back stability during almost all motions, not just during exercise in the gym (e.g. picking up a piece of paper off the floor, sitting in office). I used to do a ton of sit ups but my back would still tire easily and/or spasm. Consequently, my back does not hurt nearly as bad or as much. Sure, I still need some chiropractic adjustments, but I can tell you that I have less pain when my back is having a “bad day.” |
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 How has your view of exercise changed since you started training at Re-Active?
Totally. First of all, training is more fun then it ever was. I get more out of 60 minutes then I ever did in my life. The variety and creativity of the exercises and their relationships are seemingly endless. The feeling I get after workouts is totally different now. It seems my body is just running all the time. My energy level is 3 times what it used to be – even when I worked out 5 times a week. The fact that people come up to ME in the gym and ask questions about the purpose of something I was doing just astounds me since I was never (and am not) the biggest, or fastest, or most athletic guy in the gym. Luckily you have not patented phrases like “progressive, not aggressive”, “no soup” (keep your core braced through every exercise) and “spine neutral”, or you would not have to work anymore from the royalties!
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You travel more than that guy from “Kung Foo”. How do you eat well and continue to get the exercise you need while walking from village to village (or more flying from city to city)?
Well, thank you Master! Believe me, I am no saint on the road! The exercise part is easy because of what I said earlier – even at a hotel with a small little dinky gym, or none at all, I have learned enough ways to exercise that I can invent a routine that gives me a great workout. I have also learned how to order, even make up “meal combinations” from menu items or even ask for something not on the menu. I can’t tell you how many times my dinner companions have said, “Hey, that sounds really good – I will have what he is having!” I have also learned to prepare: I always pack little emergency supplies like walnuts, turkey jerky, and of course my fish oil tablets. |
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 I know that you always considered yourself an athlete. You are a scratch golfer and hold several course records in the SF Bay area. How do you take it when people come up and ask how you lost all of your fat?
Well, thanks! Frankly, my first thoughts are “was I really that fat?” (Ha). But seriously, it makes me feel great! And, the best part is that they all want to know “what diet I am on.” I tell them “none!” Then I tell them, “I eat more, more often, and can do things physically that I probably could not do in my 20’s (well, not everything!).” And that perplexes them – and then I give them some of the insights you have given me – and then tell them to go see the Master!
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Insights, like “pain is weakness leaving the body?” Anyway, you look great, but what else has changed significantly…
Well, my energy level for one. I can just go all day – which I need to with two growing kids. Two, my clothes fit so much better. I mean, sure, I lost 2 inches off my waist, but I mean overall. For example, I am now a large in a golf shirt (vs. X-large) – but I look bigger (my wife says – which is always something you want to hear!!). But probably most importantly, I feel good, I mean really good, and that spills over into all aspects of my life and relationships. |
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 Thank you for your time. I know it is your most valuable commodity. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Just one thing, I would like to say to all how grateful I am for having the sense to follow up on a referral to go over to Re-Active. I went to see you because I “heard’ you could help me make my back a little stronger. Seven months later, 24 lbs less fat, 9+ lbs of muscle, 2 inches off my waist, and more importantly, more enjoyment from both eating and exercise then I ever could imagine. I think I got a little more than I could ever have imagined. Thanks!
Brian, it has been a pleasure to work with you. I learn as much from my clients as they do from me. You are a true gentleman and a hard worker. When you put your mind to something, you do it and don’t make excuses.
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