FitFemaleForty

Robb Wolf: Biochemist, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Champion Powerlifter, Crossfit Coach, and Owner of NorCal Strength and Conditioning

Below is an email I recently sent to Robb Wolf expressing my gratitude and appreciation for unselfishly sharing “pseudo science” in order to help others improve their  performance in the gym, over all healthy and more importantly quality of life.

Robb –

It was absolutely wonderful to once again hear you lecture in person out in San Diego.  Although I’m always impressed with your ability to explain complicated science to the masses, I must admit I’m most impressed to actually see accompanying client pre/post blood work panels and before/after photos backing up your claims.  The seminar out in CA was my third in person “Robb Wolf Nutrition Experience” – first having heard you lecture in Baltimore at a CrossFit Level One Certification, followed by your CrossFit Nutrition Certification held in Atlanta.   Recently I was also presented with a unique opportunity to once again hear Dr. Cordain lecture, this time in Orlando.   Why, you may ask, am I traveling all over the country to hear what you and Dr. Cordain have to say?  Because I know from personal experience the information you’re prescribing works!

Upon hearing you lecture for the second time and further investigation on my own, I created a much shorter, watered-down, power-point presentation highlighting information and research presented in your Nutrition Seminar.  I can be obsessively evangelistic when I find a program that works for me.  I’ve shared this presentation numerous times with many in my small world:   in my home, on my laptop in Starbucks, my child’s school, group of nurses in my husband’s Surgery Center, etc.   The results for those adopting the Paleo Diet have been amazing and consistent:

• After implementing the diet in our home, my husband has consistently shown improved bio markers of health each time he is asked to submit blood work for insurance purposes.   Wanting to understand more, he attended your Nutrition Seminar.  As a physician he was equally impressed with the science and research presented during your lecture.  Because of his time with you, his own personal success and continued study, he now recommends The Paleo Diet to his patients.  These patients are often overweight (Metabolic Syndrome) or have symptoms indicative of an autoimmune disorder.

• A nutritionist/personal trainer/avid cyclist friend reluctantly agreed to attend one of my nutrition lectures at his wife’s request.  His wife, who is also a nutritionist/personal trainer, had attended this same lecture in my living room earlier that month.  Although she had already implemented the diet in their home, she felt he would be more supportive if he heard “the science supporting the diet” (as a cyclist he was not sure this diet would support his long weekend rides).  During the nutrition lecture he shared with a group of nurses he too had been surprised to see changes in his blood work from a recent doctor’s visit.  Both he and his wife have been on the Paleo Diet for several months now and have never looked better.

• My retired neighbor was recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.  Within three weeks of following The Paleo Diet his physician took him off of his “sugar medications” and reduced his cholesterol medications.  His active wife was surprised to lose 8 pounds and has become an avid supporter of The Paleo Diet.  She recently returned from a two-week cruise and shared that she found it easy to follow the diet while traveling.

• An employee reported her husband had also recently been Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.  She shared with me that by monitoring his blood glucose levels daily they had watched his blood sugars return to normal within weeks of implementing the Paleo Diet in their home.

• A friend reported that from further investigation and through testing he was formally diagnosed as gluten sensitive.  He was surprised to learn gluten sensitivities can lead to auto immune issues, such as Hashimoto’s Thyroid disease, which he had.  His sister had already been diagnosed with celiac disease.

The most moving experience involved one of my recent CrossFit clients who is not only a close friend, but also a well respected Neurologist in the medical community.  After hearing the nutrition lecture in my home, his only comment later via email was an expressed doubt about a dietary connection between lectins and MS.  I challenged him to a private experiment of our own:  read the The Paleo Diet book, commit to eating “strict paleo” for 5 weeks, and do a CF WOD together at least once a week.   It was a very emotional experience for both of us when he called to share the results of his post blood work.  In 5 short weeks not only had he lost 10 pounds, his post blood work indicated:

• Reversal of previous indication for metabolic syndrome/ insulin resistance evaluation
• LDL Size moved from Pattern B to Patten A
• Triglycerides levels from 192 lowered to 89
• C-Reactive Protein down
• Insulin levels down from 11 to 5
• Slight decrease in HbA1c levels

In an email he wrote he entered the program “a skeptic” and exited “a believer”.  During our experiment, he went on to explain that he was able to share with a young family member that her recent serious medical condition may be a result of her diet.  He recommended a book on the Metabolic Syndrome for the family to read.  Further, because he has a large MS patient population and is frequently asked to lecture to other medical practitioners, students and support groups he became re- interested in Dr. Cordain research involving MS.   After viewing Dr. Cordain’s online lecture “Pre-agricultural Diets in the Prevention and Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis” and doing further research, he contacted Dr. Cordain directly.  Several emails later, I’m excited to report he is now using Dr. Cordains’ slides and research in his own MS presentations!

This weekend he stopped me while we were out one evening to thank me once again. He explained because of our time together, he was able to reach a lifelong goal to be in great shape on his 50^th birthday, and more importantly he has changed the way in which he now approaches treatment with many of his patients.  Although I’m appreciative of his compliments, the true recognition goes to you, Robb.    You have committed your time, skill and expertise to help others reach often unreachable, but desired goals and lifelong dreams.   You have made a profound difference in my life and the lives of my family, friends and clients.  This is the result of your body of work.  From my heart, thank you for sharing your insight and nutritional guidance through your seminars and blog.  You are effecting change in the lives of many in a very powerful way.

With fond appreciation and gratitude,

Cheryl Polack

It is hard for me to express in words my extreme shock and alarm over the extremely unprofessional behavior and slanderous remarks made against Robb Wolf’s character following the events that took place at the Black Box Summit.   Through Robb’s seminars and blog he has made a difference in my life and the lives of my family, friends and clients.  I know him to be a person of good character and a man of integrity.  What CrossFit Headquarters failed to realize was the effect their character assassination of him would have on others such as me.  Their unprofessional and contradictory comments opened my eyes – I feel those responsible are no longer trustworthy and I hold them in low regard.

After my last son was born, like most new moms, I decided it was time to lose the “baby weight” and get back in shape.   My venture into the world of exercise began with the infamous “Body for Life” program some 12 years ago.  In the subsequent years that followed, I consumed ever new exercise and nutrition book as it became available, religiously woke up at 5 a.m. to workout while my family slept (rarely missed a scheduled workout) and counted calories fastidiously.  Sadly I always felt I came up short, never reaching the goals I was working so hard to achieve.  I always seemed to be searching for something that remained elusive – a body that truly reflected my dedication and determination.

I discovered CrossFit inadvertently on “date-night” in a dark movie theater with King Leonidas and his fellow Spartans.  Doubting the actors’ awe inspiring physiques, I set out on an internet quest to determine whether their muscular bodies were computer enhanced or the result of some exercise program I had yet to discover.   Of course my quest leads me to Mark Twight’s Gym Jones website.  Something didn’t seem right – a world renowned mountain climber turned expert “personal trainer”?   There was no apparent explanation as to why he had decided to begin training these actors in this particular manner to achieve such extraordinary results.  I combed through every single article he authored hoping to better understand the “method to his madness”.

Buried deep in one of the many articles I read, I found a small reference to a program called “Crossfit”.  In this article Mr. Twight, believing himself to be in excellent shape, states he was “destroyed” when he first participated in CF.  Googling “CrossFit” was like finding the key to a lock that guarded a much revered and sought after secret.  I found the exact same exercises Mr. Twight had used to train the actors from the movie“300”, and discovered a program that would completely alter the way I thought about exercise and nutrition.  I was shocked to discover at “crossfit.com” a huge supportive community, many of whom were women in incredible shape, daily prescribed workouts, explanation and video links for each exercise, certification and specialty training opportunities, complete nutrition information, extensive FAQ sections, hundreds of Journal articles, etc.  I was dumbstruck – a program that was obviously extremely supportive, informative, and effective – yet, FREE!!

Thus began my journey into the world of CrossFit in August of 2008 – a journey that would finally assist me in achieving my lifetime goal:  to move beyond average, beyond the proverbial “you look great for your age” to move from “well” to “fit”.  It was a journey that would not only change my life, but also the lives of my husband, two young sons and close friends.  I started learning “how to do” CrossFit by driving 2 hours each way to train with Coach Douglas Lane, a reputable CrossFit Level II in my area.    I studied relentlessly online and finally began CF in my globo gym by scaling the WOD, 3-on, 1-off.

In November of 2008 I participated in my first official CF Certification – the Barbell Certification with Coach Rippetoe.  I walked away from this experience amazed not only from the knowledge I had gained, but also very much impressed with the dynamic individuals involved in this community.  Many certifications later, I can honestly say I leave with the same feeling each time:  truly humbled to have had an opportunity to work with such honorable and respected individuals -  Mark Rippetoe,  Mike Burgener, Jeff Martone, Robb Wolf, Carl Borg, T.J. Cooper,  The Martins, Cyndi Rodi, etc -   each one passionate about their area of expertise, possessing an extraordinarily ability to share their expertise in such a way that I have been able to return home and replicate their instruction with ease.  Their commitment and genuine interest in helping others succeed is unprecedented.

I originally began my journey into CF for selfish reasons.  I studied CF, participated in Certifications and set up a complete CF gym in my home (minus a GHD – still trying making room for a Sorinex), doing all of this for myself.  I wanted to “look good” and be able to do CF to the best of MY ability.  In the beginning I had no intentions of ever becoming a CF trainer or opening an affiliate.  Yet this feeling began to change with time.  It is actually a very emotional experience for me to share how much I believe exercise has the power to transform.   To not only transform our bodies, but also transform our minds.  My sons often tease me concerning my ability to relate everything in life back to CF – overcoming obstacles, hard work and determination is critical to success, never giving up even when it’s tough, etc.   There is so much to be gained both mentally and physically from doing CF.

From my heart, eagerly wanting to share with others the positive effects this program has had in my life, I began working with some of my closest friends.  Although I’m extremely busy, I’m surprised to discover just how much I look forward to training these friends each week.   We are a mixture of women in our forties and fifties, each of us struggling with well known hormonal effects that accompany the aging female body.  Yet beyond the positive physical changes that accompany our commitment to functional movement, constantly varied and high intensity – what I have enjoyed most is witnessing the emerging inner strength and confidence that follows successfully completing a difficult WOD.   To help women become both physically and mentally stronger – this is a gift to give to others that will last a lifetime.     This gift of strength is one I cherish in my own life.  I hope by sharing information through this blog, I will be able to help more women achieve this in their own lives as well.