How did you become so interested in natural health?
First, my parents were Shaklee distributors when I was a kid. Also, I’ve just always been a sports nut. As a teenager I studied the science of athletic performance, from weight-training to how to build stamina and endurance by using food as fuel. And yet, becoming a collegiate athlete is what almost did me in.
When I was a sophomore in college, a spinal cord injury left me paralyzed for almost a year. My muscles atrophied, and no one knew whether or not I’d walk again.
I was blessed to meet a physical therapist whose nickname was “hippie lady.” She taught me meditation, visualization and T’ai chi. She convinced me that I could manage chronic pain and literally get “back in the flow of life” by making the intentional choice to move my body, to believe and hope, every single day, no matter what. She was right!
Have your CCNH studies resulted in a career change?
I’d say more of an evolution within my existing career. After completing undergraduate studies in natural health, I jumped right into the Clayton College masters program in holistic nutrition. And now as an author, I am feeling more inclined all the time to continue with doctoral studies.
My emphasis is on “prehab,” which means helping clients take preventive steps to help avoid injuries. Working to develop strong bones, long and lean muscles for greater agility, efficient lungs and heart, we are less likely to experience many of the injuries and illnesses from which people require rehabilitation. So, what I’m advocating is “prehab.”
Tell us about your books and media projects.
Our first book, co-authored with my wife and soul mate, Maria Schell Burden, is entitled Yin Yang Fitness: The Whole Package of Health. We have also collaborated on a yoga DVD and called it The Essential Triangle because it combines the external trinity of yoga, meditation and Pilates, to balance the internal trinity of mind, body and spirit health. Our next DVD was called Weighted Power Ball Workout (2004) and then Malibu Pilates and Power Pilates Reformer (both in 2007).
I am a featured trainer and ongoing contributor with Podfitness.com and an exercise consultant with Shape magazine. My work has been featured in Body and Soul, Wall Street Journal, Access Hollywood, BBC Life and Times, Spa Finder TV, and many others.
Who’s your favorite author?
I think Andrew Weil is a phenomenal writer because he explains things from a conversational perspective that you can completely understand and follow. He expresses a whole lot of common sense. Being trained as a traditional M.D. but with a heart for natural health, Dr. Weil has motivated thousands of people to become more open-minded to complementary health approaches.
What are some of your professional affiliations?
I have authored three levels of yoga instructor training for Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), and from this and other fitness organizations I have earned health and fitness certifications in personal training, massage, Pilates, spinning and water aerobics.
I am founder and president of My Life Fitness, LLC: mylifefitness.com
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