Friday, December 21, 2012

Rich Wood 12


Food is Fuel
A Journey Through Weight Gain, Weight Loss, Diabetes and Lifestyle Change

My passion for improving my own well-being has caused many changes in my life, besides just physical.  I have changed my entire life and career to become a certified personal trainer.  It has become my life’s work to help others feel better and find their passion.  If you need inspiration, or haven’t found that one thing you are passionate about – be passionate about your health.  It will improve all other areas of your life.  I still go to a trainer to help me achieve my goals.  I know the importance of asking for help, and I know how effective getting help from the right person can be.  I surround myself with people who are passionate about what they do.  It drives me to have the same passion about what I do.  I never lose sight of how lucky I am to have people in my life help me stay focused and help me strive for greatness.  Let their words inspire greatness in you:




Debbie Portell
Personal Trainer/Nutritionist Coach



Why did you become a personal trainer, what do you love about training people, and why are you so passionate about it?

I became a trainer because 10 years ago I was so sick I nearly died.  No one could figure out what was wrong with me.  I fought daily to uncover the reason why I was losing weight, then gaining weight and could not get out of bed due to rapid heart rate, persistent dizziness and terrible tremors.  I thought for sure it was the end for me.  I finally tried one last doctor.  It was the 22nd doctor in 2 years.  He asked me what my blood type was.  I told him O positive.  He said you are eating everything wrong.  I said that cannot be, I meet with the hospital dietitian regularly.  He changed my food and I was feeling better within a week.  I had suffered for 2 years.  Thought for sure I was going to die.  I was feeling 60% better in a week.  Food is fuel.  It can save your life or it can cost you all the joy and pleasure you have in your life.  I am so passionate about it because who wouldn't be if they experienced what I did.  God must intend for me to share this information.  I made an agreement with him after I started feeling better daily.  I told him I would save lives every day he gave me on earth.  That’s exactly what I do, along with kissing my sweet doggies every day.

What are you trying to achieve in the future, and what does seeing someone succeed do for you?

We are trying to achieve a lifetime of optimum health. I hope Rich will change lives daily the same way I do.  Just through his story.  His testimony is amazing and he is a walking inspiration to others.   What does that do for me?  Blesses my life more than you would ever know.  Makes it clear that I am doing exactly what I should be doing with my life.  Explains why I jump out of bed every day to do it again and again with each new day.



Kyle Watson
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt/Instructor

What do you love about training people, and why are you so passionate about it?

I love interacting with people and more importantly helping people. I have also always enjoyed the satisfaction of sharing knowledge.  With my passion for Jiu-Jitsu, creating my own gym was a natural fit. On a daily basis I get to surround myself with great people, and help them by sharing a passion of mine that just happens to positively affect everyone it touches. Simply put, it was meant to be!


What are you trying to achieve in the future, and what does seeing someone succeed do for you?

In the future I see not only creating many champions, but I plan on sharing the many life-changing benefits of this art with as many people as I effectively can.  I hope to have multiple locations so I can reach out a broader spectrum of people. This is much more than an art to me. It is a platform that I can use to help people stay healthy, live happier less stressful lives, teach people to be more humble and live by a code of honor, develop many healthy friendships, conquer fears, build self-esteem, empower people to protect themselves, and develop future leaders.

It is hard to describe in words how my students’ successes make me feel. Although I do not have children, I imagine it would be similar to a proud parent.  It is a sense of happiness, not that you achieved something for someone, but that you showed them that through hard work they could achieve it themselves. It is gratification at its highest level, and I am truly blessed that I get to experience this feeling on a varying scale every single day.




Sid Gee
 8th Degree Black Belt, Kenpo Karate Instructor


What do you love about training people, and why are you so passionate about it?
My passion for training people comes from how it changed my life. I can take a shy kid and give him confidence. Take an out of shape person and make him fit. Take a person that's lost in the world and give them a chance to get better at something. The bottom line is that it gives a person confidence, with confidence you can do anything you want in this world. My favorite quote," how do you put a price tag on that".

What are you trying to achieve in the future, and what does seeing someone succeed do for you?

Karate has an endless path; I tell my students enjoy the journey not the destination! We all hit road blocks when we dedicate to something. You have to find what you really want out of your journey. Some people want self-defense, some want to sport fight, some want to get in shape. Everyone has goals. If I have a student that's burned out on katas or techniques we will spar or we can do mitts. All these things will get you to be happy training in martial arts. It's not all about belts; it’s about being happy improving yourself and getting better at something.

I believe Rich has changed his life because he wanted to change, he just didn't have a vehicle to do it. He found it through Martial Arts. Rich and I have a common bond in many ways but especially in MMA, We both have a passion for the stand-up part and we understand it very well. I'm still looking for my first world champion in MMA, someday it will happen.



    It’s important in life to not be afraid or ashamed to ask for help.  I interviewed this group of important people in my life to show you just how anxious people are to help.  Stress can cause you to feel overwhelmed, and maybe you can’t change that immediately, but the one thing you absolutely can control and change instantly is your health.  There are many options available to help you start.  Chase your passion in life, no matter what.  I’m not telling you to quit your job because you've always had an interest in playing guitar, and then overnight hope to be Eddie Van Halen.  But, what I am saying is: go buy a guitar.  Take a lesson.  Pursue your passion.  Life is a journey, and by taking chances you will come in contact with incredible people who will make an impact on your life in a very positive and meaningful way.  If you have any fear about how to get started, and getting yourself on the path to a healthy lifestyle, let these words help you make the first step.  You can contact any one of us to help get you on your way.

Everyone mentioned in this blog has had their own obstacles to overcome.  We can each relate to whatever it is you’re going through.  You’re not alone in this; it’s ok to do something for yourself.  Everything in life can and will get better if your health is running at its most optimum level.

Food for thought: Chase your passion, not your pension. 

-Rich Wood

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