Full Strength

The Post Holiday “Freedom Reset”

I hope your memorial weekend was rejuvenating. That was my focus last Friday – to enjoy some nice time relaxing, enjoying family and friends and returning to "the daily rhythm" fresh and ready to roll.

You too? Well, how'd your “plan to actual” shake out?

If my quick survey here at the office is any indicator, we may not be alone in the feeling over served, a little drained and eager to get our body’s and lives back in a consistent, energizing rhythm. Yes, that’s right, yours truly enjoyed a few too much “grill time” this weekend and feel like I could go a week without eating – while at the same time I’m feeling a not-so-subtle craving for a “double-double” with extra cheese.

If you can identify with this feeling you might consider pushing the “Full Strength Freedom Reset” button with the practice that follows. I know we were all eager to use it here at the office this morning and my wife Angie said the same thing last night – when you’ve enjoyed, just a little much, this is a great way to get your systems back on track and set yourself free from the cravings that hold us down.

It’s really very simple…

When you’re feeling that craving, in this example, let’s say for a “double-double” with extra cheese – you’ve got two choices: feed that trigger, react to it and strengthen it or try something else. This is your chance to see that craving in a new light, as no more than a distortion of a desire for healthy, balanced proteins, carbs and essential fats – for good food.

Doubt me? Try this...Next time you get a craving for a burger, fries and a coke, or worse, try fueling your body with an fully integrated, balanced Full Strength™ nutrition shake – within minutes, you’ll feel the surge of energy, a boost in focus and those once powerful craving will have vanished. Like they never existed. Why? Because you hit the sweet spot of what your body really, truly needed. You turned off the trigger, properly reacted to the signal. It’s that simple.

When your body receives a full serving of healthy, balanced proteins, carbs and essential fats along with essential vitamins and minerals the intelligent signal which you mis-interpreted as “get me a double-double, NOW” shuts off – suddenly it’s quiet inside.

In this moment, you’ve exercised your strength and nurtured your freedom rather than feeding cravings. Each time you do this you become stronger and the cravings become weaker and weaker...Every time you choose to fuel your body with intelligent nutrition you take a step towards freedom, towards a life of strength, energy and vitality.

It’s an amazing, rejuvenating and freeing practice… I welcome you to try it. I’m also interested to hear how you come back after a long weekend.

Try it for two weeks and see if you aren’t set free.

Stoking Your Metabolism : The Order of Action

Last week, during the visit with my friend Dr. Tom, at his Nutrition Treatment Center, metabolism was a hot tpic. I have to admit - I gained a renewed interest and even deeper perspective on both the importance or sustaining this “engine of life”  and on the numerous roadblocks people have.

In so many ways metabolism had been back of mind for me – I’d so long understood the “essential-eight” keys to a strong metabolism. I’d also tired of it’s connection with nearly every diet out there – and not being a fan of diets, I avoid sounding like a diet-guru at all costs. And I know that the minute you use the “M” word people hear “diet.”

What woke me up in watching Tom work with his clients is the realization that “one bad egg can spoil the whole bunch.” What I mean by that is; while Tom is urgent in seeing that his clients attend to the fundamentals of proper exercise, nutrition, water…he also understands that there are a number of underlying conditions that, if not addressed, will undermine even the most disciplined efforts.

Below is a list of the Essential-eight keys to a strong metabolism, in order of importance – generally. Why, “generally?” For two reasons :

1. There are no absolutes in this world – when it comes to the human body.
2. Because of what I was reminded of by Tom – that if one is suffering from a deficiency of an essential nutrients (be that of vitamin or macro nutrient like protein) all rules are out.

Furthermore, if that deficiency (or other chronic condition often called “life”) has impacted thyroid and thus various hormonal functions, all else is secondary. Correcting this now limiting component is of the utmost importance – it now becomes the #1 key.

I’ve invited Dr. Tom to join me on my upcoming teleconference on Super-Charging Your Metabolic Engine coming up in a few weeks. To join in the free teleconference and receive my free 44 page special report, “The 8 Keys to Super Charging Your Metabolism” click here.

The 8 Key Factors for a Strong Metabolism
(Order Of Greatest Impact To Least)

1. Muscle tissue : the more lean muscle tissue your body has the more calories will be expended regardless of activity (or not).
2. Meal frequency : the longer you go between meals the more your metabolism slows down to conserve energy.
3. Activity level : important but doesn't make any difference if you don't match your eating to your expenditure.
4. Food choices : Balanced, Energy Stabilizing Eating / Food. No extreme diets…   low-fat diets tend to result in poor hormone production which leads to a slower metabolism.  Also, stable blood sugar is an ideal environment for increasing metabolic rate.
5. Hydration : Over 70% of bodily functions take place in water - not enough water causes all your systems to slow down and unnecessary stress.
6. Genetics : Some people are simply born with stronger, more adaptive metabolisms than others… yet this is not the free pass nor death sentence that many assume it to be. You can effect your metabolism greatly!
7. Hormone production and function : The thyroid can make or break a metabolism — but low thyroid is as often missed as it is mis-diagnosed. I look forward to Dr. Tom sharing his vast knowledge and experience on the thyroid and it’s cascading impact on your hormones.
8. Stress : Stress also can slow metabolism by placing extra stress and strain on numerous systems. Plus, many people tend to overeat when "stressed out."

If you'd like to learn more about how to stoke your metabolism, register to join me on my free teleseminar and receive my free special report: “The 8 Keys to Super Charging Your Metabolism” by clicking here.

A Transformation Artist on the Front Lines

Today, May 20th, finds aboard a large commercial aircraft, heading west…heading home.

I’m returning from a few days observing my good friend, “Dr. Tom” (as I like to call him) on the frontline – fighting the good fight for health and freedom at his highly successful Nutrition Treatment Center practice in Red Bank, NJ.

My bro, Bill (you may know him) and I, met Tom nearly 15 years ago on a fitness cruise Bill was hosting. We’ve been the best of friends and fellow warriors promoting health and strength for nearly 15 years now. How the time does fly… seems like just the other day we were sitting around a dining room table off the coast of St. Thomas telling stories and laughing so hard a few nearly suffocated.

At the time Tom was a passionate, successful chiropractor who was never satisfied with just easing people’s pain. He’s long recognized and shared the importance of nutrition and exercise in total-health. In the last decade he’s continued to pursue his passion for nutrition accumulating more initials (e.g. credentials) after his name than I care to even try and type.

With the opening of his Nutrition Treatment Center some five years back, Tom has transitioned his focus nearly entirely from chiropractic to helping people reach their peak health and fitness visions through the sound, intelligent (and oft times intricate) application of nutrition and exercise. His work in the area covers the spectrum – from professional athletes, high school sport teams, fitness athletes, to the truly challenging cases, those suffering varying degrees of syndrome-X, reluctant fat, low energy, lower moods, and… You name, it he’s seen it and dealt with it – and patient willing conquered it. He’s got a litany of success stories that could have come from the best of the archives of Body for Life – in some cases, even more amazing.

Watching Tom work, the breadth of his knowledge; his amazing ability to apply it; the way he meets people where they are, is nothing short of impressive. It’s like watching the most skilled master craftsman work – it’s shear artistry.

To transform a person who doesn’t exercise; wants nothing to do with dieting; doesn’t know anything about eating right; is suffering from adrenals that wouldn’t support a salamander; a thyroid that’s shriveled like a prune and the brain chemistry of a prison inmate in "solitary" into a confident, fit, energized and healthy person is extraordinary. And I'm talking about a thinner and healthier person and infinitely wiser.

Tom doesn’t simply give people a “map” he gives them the compass, and a map and then requires them to engage their brains. He puts them in the driver’s seat of their life and health. It’s truly an inside-out transformation.

I admit it… Sure, I went to visit one of my best friends and I also went to see how one man is selling more Full Strength out of one office in Red Bank, NJ than I’d expect any 25 top level retailers to do. He’s discovered such startling success with the world’s first performance fast-food – and I had to know how he’s doing.

What I discovered was… first, something that I already knew: That Tom’s exceptional at what he does – he’s a force of energy and life that can wake you up like a Ferrari at full acceleration.

With Full Strength what Tom is having extraordinary success with is simply telling people the honest truth – helping them to see how important nutrition to creating the life they want to live and sharing how the world’s greatest nutrition shake, Full Strength can help them fuel their body’s and mind’s – in minutes. It’s a classic case of the best salesmen are always people who aren’t selling – they’re sharing and helping. Tom’s interest is to help you reach your goals, to be the best you want to be.

Oh yes, one more thing… Tom always shares one of his own Full Strength’s with every new client – a free sample for them to try. Once they’ve tasted how amazing a nutrition shake can taste – and felt the remarkable difference… perhaps all the rest is just window dressing. ;-)

I did something quite out of the ordinary this morning...

I did something quite out of the ordinary this morning – I had a wildly delicious Full Strength for breakfast.

No, that’s not it. I’ve started my day with a Full Strength for most days since I received my first box. What I did that was quite out of the ordinary this morning was mix something with it.

Full Strength comes in only two flavors – as I like to say, “really f____n good chocolate and really f’n good vanilla…” and I was right in my belief going in, that if you make it truly great, if your truly enjoying your Full Strength each day and it’s not a test for your tolerance, you don’t need 31 flavors.

Think about ice cream – sure, occasionally one might enjoy a cookies and cream or something but all in all, 95% of the time it’s chocolate or vanilla… and never a once does great chocolate or vanilla disappoint.

So, while I learned 101 ways to cover up a Myoplex, to make believe it tasted better than it actually did, I’ve yet to pull any of my old tricks out of the hat. It’s no exaggeration to say I’ve enjoyed well over 200 chocolates and 200 vanillas, not once adding anything other than ice and water… and honestly, I enjoyed #2 more than #1 and with each subsequent shake, my appreciation has climbed.

Okay, now that I’ve laid the ground work for my morning and typed out what almost looks like a Blog-fomercial  – not intentionally, trust me. I guess this is the real energy and passion that companies pay actors to convey on infomercials… more on that later, I digress.

Back to my morning blend…

This morning as I was mixing my vanilla Full Strength I had cinnamon as I was also making Nathaniel’s oatmeal… ah, what the heck… I sprinkled a good amount of cinnamon into my shake… then I found the organic apple sauce, added a tablespoon and having lost all restraint, found one of N’s organic, honey-sweetened graham crackers. I tossed it in and hit “GO” on the Vitamix.

Basically, this is the nearly organic version of an old “apple pie” recipe for Myoplex and just like Full Strength straight up, the result was off the charts delicious! I almost couldn’t believe how rich and delicious this shake was… a treat, for sure.

“Spicing it up” is not something I’d do every day nor something you need to with Full Strength. I just don’t even feel tempted to most the time. Yet, it’s nice to know, when you decide to dress it up it you can – and the result is amazing!

A Funny Thing Happened To Me on the Way to the Radio

The wonderful thing about taking action is the some thing happens – rarely is that "some-thing" exactly what you set out to create. Often time accidents, like what happened to me yesterday, make things better or in this case funnier.

Yesterday, I pushed the wrong button as I was cutting a radio promotion for my friend (and the co-author of my upcoming book) Pete Williams. Pete is an accomplished author and hosts an excellent radio show in the Tampa area on called The Fitness Buff Show. Do tune in some time to check it out -- it's great.

So here I am in my office, with my studio mic piping into my PC, making my own radio spots – recording, editing, cutting, cleaning. It’s a pretty funny site, to see the CEO of a performance nutrition company ass deep in technology and wires – being both the talent and the technician.

Ah, the thrills and chills of a small business again. Nothing like the old days of EAS with 200 people – and in my book that’s a great thing!

Back to my story…

So I’m editing this radio spot and believe me, I get by but I’m not pro at editing audio… and I accidentally re-sampled it and the result had me on the floor rolling… I had to share it with Rob, one of the co-Full Strength’ers… and in the midst of his laughter he said, “that sounds like what I feel like before I have a Full Strength.”

Shaazammm! It hit me…

Funny, yes… but also it’s a great way to use audio to convey how dramatically Full Strength can lift your energy and mental clarity up. Pure genius… and good fun.

So I ended up putting the funny clip at the opening to create what could be a pretty effective radio spot.

Check it out for yourself…tell me what you think.

Listen to Shawn's Full Strength Radio "spot"

McDonalds, Ethics & Health Care

Three years ago McDonald's stock had tumbled 56% in 10 months. The company reported it first quarterly loss and sales in its biggest market, the good old USA, were not growing and were in some cases loosing ground.

Not a pretty picture for a company. And as you know, desperate times call for desperate measures. McDonald's desperate move: the "Dollar Menu." The Dollar Menu brought 36 consecutive months of sales growth to all McDonald's locations open at least a year. Revenue increased by 33% and its stock rocketed up 170%.

Why?

McDonald's is helping low-income individuals save money. The Dollar Menu has been explicitly marketed to teenagers, young adults and minorities - all who just happen to be watching their wallets. And as far as the amount of food you get for $1. It's a good deal.

So why do I consider this a desperate measure?

In terms of looking at how many nutrients you're getting for a dollar, it's the least economical choice for eating. At least that's what Connie Schneider, a nutrition advisor for Fresno County in California says and just about any nutrionist anywhere will tell you fast food like McDonald's is one of the worst things in the American diet.

It's high in calories and trans fats, lacks fiber, has lots of added sugars and procesessed carbohydrates all add up to a meal that's largely devoid of the vital nutrients the body and mind need to function well.

Personally, I think this quality of food is a sad choice to market to a group of low income customers who are already plagued with a particularly high incidence of obesity and its related health problems. But hey, Bill Lamar, the chief marketing officer for McDonald's United States business says "We're proud of the choices we offer customers."

Perhaps he's talking about the more healthy eating options at McDonald's, but I don't know how you can be "proud" to serve the Dollar Menu to anyone, especially in a country who's suffering immensely from obesity and its related diseases.

Just to give an example, we loose over 1000 human beings every single day in the US because of obesity. Yes that's right over 1000 of our fellow Americans die every day, largely it's because of our American diet and lifestyle. Forget about the thousands who've died in Iraq. At least they died for a reason, a purpose and vision - whether you agree with it or not is another story, but our soldiers died for a reason. The 1000+ fellow Americans that will die to day because of obesity and its related diseases, Why did they die? Did they die because of the glorious taste of a double quarter pounder with cheese, french fries and a soda?

But as Bill Lamar says, "People can make the decisions about how to eat for themselves." He's both right and wrong. Yes everyone has some degree of freedom to chose. However, if they don't have much money, habitually eat convenience foods or "fast" foods and are largely unaware of their eating choices and the following consequences, the scope of freedom to choose starts to look a lot like the Dollar Menu.

Now I'm not one to point at a company and paint it as an evil entity that's the sole cause of all the problems in the world. But I'm also not one to point only at the consumer and say, they have their own autonomy must take complete responsibility for their decisions.

Companies need to have a code of ethics and a sense of moral responsibility that includes but goes beyond the bottom line of profits. Personally, I have a slanted bias against McDonald's because I don't know how they can actively market nutrient deficient foods to people in compromised positions. That's just me though.

Fortunately I work for a company that holds a high standard of ethical responsibility to its customers.

I've been apart of a beautifully difficult path of redefining fast food. We've created Full Strength, a premium nutrition shake that is a "fast performance food." It's a food that's both highly affordable (under $4 per serving) and it turns the tables on conventional forms of fast food.

Instead of getting less nutrients in more food (the Dollar Menu is just one example) Full Strength has successfully engineered the nutrition shake to deliver more nutrients in less calories that fuels your body and mind for longer than just about any other meal you can find.

Considering this nutrition shake costs less than $4 yet delivers more nutrients than an intelligently prepared $12 meal comprised of lean chicken breast, steamed broccoli and brown rice this might just be the most economical form of fueling your body and mind on earth.

Perhaps the conventional fast food companies will learn a few things from us, deliver food that ultimately serves the health, well being and performance of their customers with a taste that can rival the most delicious foods. Perhaps then these companies wouldn't have to aggressively market their food to young consumers in disadvantaged positions. Why? Because in a few decades their once customers won't be hospitalized or dead, instead they'll be alive, healthy and strong living on your service instead of dying from it.

NYTimes Article on McDonalds HERE

Learn more about Full Strength HERE

Learn about Full Strength & How it stacks up against the healthiest of meals HERE