The Role Model In You
Today’s Guest – Denise Austin

1. Your name, title, and age? What do you do (or did you do) for a living?

Denise Austin, 56 years old. I am a fitness expert, best-selling author, wife and mother

2. Who was the person that inspired you as a child to eat healthy and stay fit? What was their relationship to you?

My mom was truly the first person that inspired me, she used to love to jump rope and could even do triple jumps in one turn! Most people don’t know that she was the New York State Jumprope Champion when she was 16 yrs old! She inspired me with her energy and attitude, even while raising 5 kids. My dad played professional baseball, for the St. Louis Browns in 1946, so we grew up pretty active and exposed to athletics. Certainly it wasn’t in the form of set routines like there are today but we saw lots of events and games and were very exposed to a lot of different sports. I was a gymnast and started at a young age. In that field, I have to say I looked up to Cathy Rigby!

3. What did they do to inspire you?

My mom always seemed to be having fun and was always dancing, she gave all of us a good, positive spirit. She could laugh at herself and she taught us not to take ourselves too seriously. It really is OK to laugh at one’s self! Little did she know that her daily workouts to Jack LaLanne’s television show would be the catalyst for my career in fitness!

Jack became a huge inspiration when he gave me my first break. He was so natural in his love for fitness and his belief in me was incredibly inspirational. He truly took me under his wing and gave me the confidence to persevere. “You’ve got it, kid!” was what he always told me.

4. How did their lesson change your life?

I was encouraged every time I did cartwheels in the house growing up and so the activity and fun of it was reinforced! Being a gymnast is all about discipline, being in front of people, and performing. My family supporting these efforts gave me a strong sense of self and self-esteem.

It turned out to be a great foundation for my career — family and the gymnastics pulled in everything. Pilates, that I enjoy and teach, is about being centered and using one’s core strength. Gymnastics gave me that in the form of handstands and V-sits, for example. It all was the foundation for my career today. Teaching, inspiring, and sharing my knowledge has come very naturally to me after all those of years of practicing and training. So, the lessons I learned not only changed my life, they ARE my life!

5. Do you convey their message to kids in your life presently?

Of course! Both my daughters play sports at the collegiate level and were captains of their tennis and lacrosse teams throughout the years. I am also married to a professional
tennis player so it is innate in them to be healthy and fit. I convey the “have fun and be fit” message to everyone I come across, young or old!

6. What would be your main message to children today to lead healthy lifestyles?

Find something you love, whether it is dancing, an organized sport or ANY form of after school activity! Get involved in a dance club if it is your thing or an organization such as Boys and Girls Clubs of America, just try to get active! Everyone’s sense of self-worth is better when you feel good! Being active and having fun while doing it makes one feel better. And, test scores in school are better, too!!
Do something alone, with your family, with friends, ANYthing. Making a game or challenge out of fitness always adds to the fun, too. Wear a pedometer to see how may steps you can do in a day!

7. Do you have a web site you would like to promote….web address only?

www.deniseaustin.com

The Role Model In You
Today’s Guest – Dr. Mark Pitstick

1. Your name, title, and age? What do you do (or did you do) for a living?

Dr. Mark Pitstick; age 59; author, lecturer, frequent radio/TV guest, holistic chiropractic physician

2. Who was the person that inspired you as a child to eat healthy and stay fit? What was their relationship to you?

My beloved dad who passed on in 2007.

3. What did they do to inspire you?

In the 8th grade, I utterly failed the physical fitness test and was humiliated by my gym teacher in front of my friends. I couldn’t do one pull up and only a few pushups and sit-ups. I told my dad what happened and he encouraged me start exercising every morning. He put up a pull-up bar and gently coached me to do a little more each day. The next year, I aced the physical fitness test and my gym teacher was amazed when I did 12 pull-ups.

4. How did their lesson change your life?

Before long, I grew in fitness, confidence and self-esteem. Exercise became a life-long habit and I’ve enjoyed many sports and activities over the years. At nearly 60 years old, I still run, lift weight, play racquetball, hike, kayak, bike, practice karate, do yard work and enjoy a high level of wellness.

5. Do you convey their message to kids in your life presently?

Yes, I impress this lesson to my patients, family and friends. Small steps, taken consistently over time, result in HUGE benefits and improvements. Start today to create the life of your dreams. You are an infinite being of energy/consciousness/spirit who has unlimited potential and great gifts to share. But you can’t know and show this truth if you are depressed, sick, and fatigued.

6. What would be your main message to children today to lead healthy lifestyles?

You deserve to feel, look and be your very best. Creator did a wonderful job with the human body but you have to do your part. You probably will live to age 90 or more: Will you be active and feel great? Or will you be in a nursing home slobbering on yourself? It’s largely up to you and the choices you make from this point onward.

7. Do you have a web site you would like to promote….web address only?

www.radiant101.com

The Role Model In You
Today’s Guest – Michael Wald

1. Your name, title, and age? What do you do (or did you do) for a living?

Michael Wald, age 47. I am a doctor who focuses on longevity medicine. I am an author of health books, I own a vitamin company, a health bar company and a health professional software company.
2. Who was the person that inspired you as a child to eat healthy and stay fit? What was their relationship to you?

Both of my parents. Mostly my father. When I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 18, we embarked on a healing journey. Basically, I did what my dad told me and remained in the bliss of denial until college. I started to read more about my condition and soon learned that traditional doctors, particularly neurologists, had little to offer. I am one of the most fit people I know.

3. What did they do to inspire you?

They inspired me to take good mental and physical and nutritional care of myself through diet, stress management and “loving life”. I would spend lots of time observing my fathers health care practice. People would constantly tell him and me how great they felt from learning how to take care of themselves through diet and healthy lifestyle.

4. How did their lesson change your life?

Well, my parents were not exceptionally healthy. In fact, they were sick often, but this inspired me. My father was a chiropractor and a nutritionist and he helped lots of people and it was very inspiring to me. I have always been fascinated with nutrition and the body in general. Seeing my parents experience so many health problems inspired me to learn more and to apply it to my life…and to my family.

5. Do you convey their message to kids in your life presently? Yes. I have 3 great children who understand about fitness and eating well. They are 16, 15 and 13 (girl, boy, boy). I always try to use analogies that kids can relate to when working with them as patients. Each child needs to hear things differently. Once they “get it” they run with it…meaning health!

6. What would be your main message to children today to lead healthy lifestyles? That a healthy lifestyle will help one achieve what they want out of life. When a person is energetic and of clean mind and healthy body they can enjoy life to its fullest.

7. Do you have a web site you would like to promote….web address only?

www.intmedny.com

The Role Model In You
Today’s Guest – Jennifer Stagner

1. Your name, title, and age? What do you do (or did you do) for a living?

Jennifer Stagner, Technical Manager, 32. I manage the ecommerce activities for www.tops-products.com including search engine optimization, consumer sales, and conversion analytics.

2. Who was the person that inspired you as a child to eat healthy and stay fit? What was their relationship to you?

My grandfather was a constant presence in my life growing up. As a young girl, I looked up to him and keenly observed everything he did. Fortunately for me, he embodied a great number of positive traits, including a holistic everyday approach to eating healthy and staying active.

3. What did they do to inspire you?

My grandfather was an engineer who ardently believed in always being the best you can be. For decades he would come home during his lunch hour, lay out a well-balanced meal, and take time to put his health first before going back to a demanding office. He would come home from a rigorous day, pack me in the car, and take me to the tennis courts every night to play. I still remember the series of stretches he faithfully performed before and after every game; as he demonstrated squats, lunges, and arm exercises he would extol the virtues of caring for your muscles. As I ran up and down the court with the exuberance of youth, flailing wildly at incoming yellow balls, he would without fail pause every so often to ensure that I caught my breath and drank the water he always carried with us to the courts.

4. How did their lesson change your life?

My grandfather changed my life by leading by example. He put 100% energy into everything he did including exercise and eating right. Despite his engineering background and impressive vernacular he always took the time to explain in terms a growing child could understand why he was so consistent with his health. He understood the connection between caring for his body and how that translated to clarity of focus, strength of spirit, and physical endurance.

5. Do you convey their message to your kids currently?

Having observed how well my grandfather structured his daily activities to seamlessly weave in healthy eating and enjoyable exercise I have made it a point to follow that example with my own son. As part of our daily routine I will listen to him regale me with elementary school exploits, listen attentively as he introduces his cast of school characters, and quietly ensure he takes a few pauses to eat a dinner inclusive of the required food groups. When he is at his most determined to steal the seconds from time before bed I’ll offer to be his adventure partner; suggesting a bike ride or a basketball challenge. From time to time I’ve found myself reiterating as I showcase how to stretch arm muscles that it’s important to loosen up before you attack those tennis balls.

6. What would be your main message to children today to lead healthy lifestyles?

My main message to children would be that exercise and eating right help you feel confident, healthy, and enable you to have more opportunities; exercise and eating right are not isolated and unpleasant events but rather a way to keep having fun inside and out. It’s easy to focus and pull out that spin move around opponents on the basketball court if you aren’t distracted by hunger pains and slowed down by inactivity. Making exercise and health eating a part of your daily routine helps you achieve your goals.

7. Do you have a web site you would like to promote….web address only?

www.tops-products.com

The Role Model In You
Today’s Guest – Michelle Weinstein

1. Your name, title, and age? What do you do (or did you do) for a living?

Michelle Weinstein, CEO and Founder of FITzee Foods, (34). Prior to starting FITzee Foods, a San Diego-based health food and wellness company, I was a financial analyst. Staring endlessly at grey walls all day ultimately left me quite restless, and started giving me what I endearingly refers to as “cubicle butt.” To combat this I began teaching workout classes in a nearby park. However, I did’t feel this was enough. While working in my cubicle, another lunchtime rolled around and I found myself reaching for the same, frozen, cardboard-tasting meal. I thought, “wouldn’t it be great if you could get delicious food that was healthy delivered to your office or home?” This was the spark that lead to FITzee Foods.

2. Who was the person that inspired you as a child to eat healthy and stay fit? What was their relationship to you?

Seeing and having an unhealthy family was motivating to me. My uncle was overweight and I saw the effects this had on his health. Having the least amount of health issues and the most prevention from the foods we eat is what motivates me.

3. What did they do to inspire you?

I actually became inspired without having anyone else really spark this interest for me. I see the results produced by healthy and fit people (v. overweight and sedentary people). One thing I’ve learned is that you can’t help people in the health and fitness industry if you don’t take care of yourself, first. Taking care of myself has to come before I can take care of others.

4. How did their lesson change your life?

The biggest impact I experienced was seeing my uncle, who died from obesity. This is not what I want for myself of for my future family. A healthy lifestyle is either in a person’s lifestyle plan or it’s not. I choose to be surrounded by people who choose to make a healthy lifestyle an important aspect in their lives.

5. Do you convey their message to kids in your life presently?

Yes-in addition to promoting a healthy lifestyle via FITzee Foods, I established The Live Well Project, an annual event that aims to empower young women to rise above difficult circumstances to live a happy and healthy life through healthy eating seminars, fitness demonstrations, inspirational speakers and goal-setting sessions.

6. What would be your main message to children today to lead healthy lifestyles?

Pills and diet fads are not the answer to a healthy lifestyle. You must be active and eat healthy. Food is the body’s fuel. If you eat foods that are nutritious and balanced, you will feel your best.

7. Do you have a web site you would like to promote….web address only?

Yes, www.FITzeeFoods.com

The Role Model In You
Today’s Guest – Levi Bloom

1. Your name, title, and age? What do you do (or did you do) for a living?

My name is Levi Bloom, I’m a cycling coach, and I’m 27 years old. I’m “semi-retired” from competitive bicycle racing and focusing on coaching instead. Currently I am a Level 3 Coach, certified by USA Cycling. I work with cyclists of all abilities to create customized training plans and meal plans, help them develop riding skills and racing tactics, and motivate them throughout the season.

2. Who was the person that inspired you as a child to eat healthy and stay fit? What was their relationship to you?

That was definitely Uncle Frank, my great uncle.

3. What did they do to inspire you?

Frank was someone everyone looked up to and someone I still strive to emulate, twenty years later. Not only did he live a very active lifestyle, but he encouraged others to do the same and taught all us kids how to do that. Where I grew up, there was no shortage of farmers or woodsmen, but there was only one man who had the strength of a hardened woodsman and the heart of an angel. That was Frank. He took me on long walks, taught me how to negotiate rough terrain, taught me how to chop wood, and even showed me the correct techniques for lassoing bulls!

I would have been inspired just watching him do these things, but learning from him really ingrained this active lifestyle into my brain!

4. How did their lesson change your life?

I grew up near lots of farms and wooded areas, but without Frank, I don’t know that I would have experienced it nearly as much as I did. The active lifestyle I learned from him stuck with me all through childhood and was probably the #1 reason I stayed fit and healthy.

Reflecting back on it now though, I think it goes so much further. I’m still striving to be a role model like Frank was, and I’m trying to help as many people as possible. Frank could be the reason I ended up becoming a cycling coach!

5. Do you convey their message to kids in your life presently?

Though I don’t have children of my own, I still try to get kids outside, out exploring, whenever I get the chance. Sometimes it’s just playing in the dirt, but it’s a start! My policy is I try to never say “no” to going outside to play!

6. What would be your main message to children today to lead healthy lifestyles?

Don’t just go outside, go out in the woods. There’s so much to do once you’re out there. Climbing trees, climbing boulders, looking for animals, building forts, etc. – you’re bound to find something interesting! And try your best to find someone to mentor you along the way!

I think experiencing nature not only makes you more inclined to stay active, but also to eat healthy, natural foods, as it makes processed foods just seem “wrong.” So if I could only impart one habit on them, it would be to get out and enjoy nature!

7. Do you have a web site you would like to promote….web address only?

http://coachlevi.com/