Every site needs an introduction to the world; a mission statement or tone setter, if you will. For those programmers of the world the “Hello World” phrase is probably self explanatory but, for those who aren’t, it is traditionally used to describe the process where new programmers create simple programs as they familiarize themselves with a particular programming language that result in the words “Hello World” being output to the screen.
I’m going to try and do something a little different. Some may see it as creative, and others may see it as pure laziness – I will call it a tribute to those that have inspired me.
How did I get to this point? No, I’m not talking about the article, but more in the big picture sense. Well, I ask myself that question all the time. I’ve been involved with health and fitness for close to two decades, and have coached numerous individuals upon request over the years. It was never for money and was normally either a co-worker, family member, or friend who was just looking for some motivation to develop a consistent workout plan. Honestly, I really enjoy watching people transform their lifestyle, body composition, diet, and seeing the joy it brings them when they realize what truly being healthy feels like.
Lately, I’ve really just developed an insane irritation at all the misinformation and horrible training methodology that I’m witnessing at an alarming rate. I’m irritated at doctors who want to prescribe medication instead of a change in lifestyle. Most of all, I’m irritated at people who just lost their zest for life as evident by the morbid obesity they’ve accumulated. I’ve been picking up more clients, and have even started working with folks that are not local to me for the first time which provides some new, unique, and exciting challenges. This should provide a little insight on the reason for the site, and where my mindset is currently.
With that said, let’s see how other folks have introduced themselves to the online world. Each of these folks has been an inspiration to me in one way or another…
LeanGains
Many in the industry are already aware of Martin Berkhan and the effort he has placed into changing people’s minds when it comes to fasting. His Intermittent Fasting (or IF) program is highly successful and aimed at those individuals who are trying to safely shed that last few pounds in stubborn fat areas while not losing (and in many times gaining) lean body mass.
LeanGains evolved from IFRP, or the “Intermittent Fasting Recomp Protocol” and Martin explains why the need for a change in his second post on the new blog.
IFRP is now Leangains. Why? I thought Intermittent Fasting Recomp Protocol sounded overpretentious and gimmicky. Leangains is like honey on the tongue, can you taste it? I bet you can. Don’t act like you can’t.
In his inaugural post Martin provides excerpts from a Jamie Hale book called Knowledge and Nonsense: the Science of Nutrition and Exercise which both outlines and introduces the LeanGains protocol and sets the tone for a website that continually debunks conventional wisdom on all things fasting related.
Free the Animal
Richard Nikoley doesn’t mess around. If something is on his mind, he will tell you exactly how he feels on the topic. Richard’s blog is one of the most popular in the Primal/Paleo community, and for good reason – it is damn entertaining, and informative to boot. I relate to Richard in the sense that I don’t mince my words and also have a lack of patience with many aspects of conventional wisdom. Of all the examples I’m using, I found Richard’s inaugural post to be the closest thing to a classic thesis statement style post. What I found most interesting is that he proclaims…
Well, it’s my outlet, and as such, I don’t think I’ll be opening up any of my posts to comments.
For those wondering, he’s at over 30,000 comments now.
Mark’s Daily Apple
Mark Sisson is one of the more authoritarian figures in the Primal community. He started his famous MDA blog back in October of 2006 with a commentary on a NY Times report describing how that in the European Union doctors can actually be sued for not prescribing fish oil for heart patients. He wondered why in the U.S. we are so far behind in the times and illustrated why fish oil is a great thing to supplement with.
Mark is also famous for his recommendation to give up conventional wisdom and switch to a diet that is lower in carbs and higher in healthy fats. It didn’t take long for the proclamation to be made on his blog as his “Mark Sisson is Not Afraid of Fat” post appeared less than two weeks later. Wait, you mean eating this bacon won’t clog my arteries?
Whole Health Source
Stephan Guyenet is to food reward what Gary Taubes is to anti-insulin. His intellectual blog is filled with fantastic research (most of it performed by him and his team) in the area of human physiology, nutrition, and obesity. His introductory post from March of 2008 was rather tame and was more aimed at those whose blog comments were consistently filled up by his posts. It didn’t take long to demonstrate that this would be a must follow blog as his second post about genetics and disease was action packed and full of thought, backed up by supporting evidence.
I conclude that genetics are only rarely the cause of disease, and that the vast majority of health problems in the US are lifestyle-related. Studies into the genetic factors that predispose us to common health problems are interesting, but they’re a distraction from the real problems and the real solutions that are staring us in the face. These solutions are to promote a healthy diet, exercise, and effective stress management.
Amen to that!
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