Aint this the truth!

"I feel strongly about" - my second Rostrum speech

My Dad was the adventurer in his family.

He was the middle child in a family of 11 kids. He is Irish, Northern Irish.

And living up to his name as the adventurer in the family, my Dad bought a cheap, one-way ticket to Australia when he was 18.

I don't think Dad intended on staying in Australia long-term. But, as the story goes, he fell in love with a beautiful woman - my mother - and the rest of his life was pretty much mapped out.

With all the excitement and adventure of a new life, a new love and a new homeland, it slipped my Dad's mind to contact his family back home in Ireland.

Well, that's not entirely true. Dad did write a letter to his mother. He even put the letter in an envelope. He sealed the envelope. He addressed the envelope. And he even put a stamp on it.

Some time later - years later - Dad found that letter in with all his other documents. He had forgotten to put it in the post.

Five years after Dad first set foot in Australia, he decided to go back to Ireland to visit his mother, whom he loved very much.

So without a word of warning, without even a phone call, my Dad arrived on the doorstep of his family home. And who should answer but his loving mother.

Well, you could've knocked her over with a feather. For she had not seen, nor heard from, her favourite son in five years. She didn't even know if he was alive.

It was at that moment that Dad realised the immensity with which his mother loved him.

I strongly believe that we should all take stock of where we are in our lives. We should consider our priorities and make time for our loved ones.

While I never met my paternal grandmother, I have always been relatively close to my maternal grandmother.

Nan is 86-years old. She is frail. And sadly dementia is kicking in. She repeats herself four or five times in a conversation.

And when phoning Nan is just one of the items on my endless to-do list, it's easy to get frustrated with the constant repeating. I have been guilty of putting off that phone call to Nan.

Perhaps we've all been guilty of something similar at some time in our lives. We can get so wrapped up in our own lives - having a great time, trying to make a name for ourselves, trying to get our careers just where we want them. And sometimes we forget about the really important things in life.

I urge you to take stock of where you are in your life right now. Consider your priorities. And if you tell me that your priorities lie with your family and your close friends then don't leave it five years between visits.

'About Me' - My first Rostrum Speecch

I bet a few of you have seen the movie Anger Management.

By starting a sentence in that way, perhaps you're all thinking I'm about to tell you I have anger problems.
I don't.

But there is a particular scene in the movie Anger Management which helps to illustrate just how difficult it is for me to tell you 'About Me.'

As the scene goes, the character Dave, played by Adam Sandler, is participating in his first of many Anger Management group therapy sessions, led by Dr Buddy Rydell, played by one of my favourite actors, Jack Nicholson.

The group of approximately 10 is sitting on chairs in a circle. And as it's Dave's first session, Dr Rydell turns to him and says, "Tell us about yourself, who are you?"

To which Dave answers, "Well, I'm an executive assistant at a major pet products company.

Dr Rydell interrupts: "Dave, I don't want you to tell us what you do, I ant you to tell us who you are."

Dave tries again, "Oh, alright, um ... I'm a pretty good guy, I like to play tennis."

Rydell butts in again: "also, not your hobbies Dave. Just simple, tell us who you are.

This twoing and froing between the two stars of the film continues a little longer until the point where Dave really loses his cool.

You see his leg start to shake and the agitation on his face builds.

"I don't know what you want me to say," he cries, in pure frustration

This outburst is basically the end of the scene.

It's a good scene to illustrate just how difficult it is to describe who you are.

I can tell you about my hobbies: rowing, hiking, drinking coffee, visiting bookshops and wineries, being in th country.

I can even describe my personality: typically easygoing but not afraid to stand up for what I believe in.

Apparently these answers wouldn't stanud up to Dr Rydell's interrogation.

But in all honesty, I'm a work in progress. I guess I'm still working out who I am. So you may just have to read a few more of my blogs so I can tell you more 'About Me'.

Amazing Andrew ...

Andrew Websdane is one of Renouf’s greatest success stories.

The 38-year-old lawyer has shed over 40 kilograms since becoming a student of the Applecross-based personal training studio three years ago. And along the way he has taken out the title of “biggest loser” on two occasions for his remarkable body-transformation results.  

Andrew became the inaugural “biggest loser” when he lost an unfathomable 23.2 kilograms and 19.4 per cent body fat during the fitness centre’s first eight-week “Best Body Challenge (BBC)” in May/June 2010.

And as if that wasn’t enough, he reclaimed the title during Renouf’s third instalment of the BBC in October/December last year, after dropping 14.5 kilograms and 17 per cent body fat.  

I decided to investigate what drove the change and how Andrew's life has improved since he first stepped inside the boutique gym in February 2008.

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When I first sat down with Andrew Websdane, he was partway through his second attempt at Renouf Applecross’ eight-week “Best Body Challenge (BBC)”. It was November, 20, 2010. And I remember being slightly confused - if not offended - when he turned down my generous offer to shout him a coffee before the formal proceedings of the interview process began. After all, he had – in a previous conversation – told me of his passion for a fine cup of the good stuff.  

He explained.   

“Before starting the first Challenge I did some research and discovered that when trying to lose weight it’s best to avoid alcohol because otherwise the liver has to work overtime to digest the alcohol and the body doesn’t break down fat effectively.

“So not only did I commit to exercising religiously and eating properly during the Challenge, but I decided it was a good opportunity to give my body a full detox, so I gave up alcohol and coffee as well.”

Andrew's meticulous method worked wonders the first time, so it stood to reason he’d follow the same protocols the second time around.

And thankfully my kind offer wasn’t entirely rejected as Andrew opted for a soothing pot of cancer-fighting white tea instead.

So, just a short time into our rendezvous, I realised that here was a man who was clearly driven to be healthy. And he seemed to have a pretty good grasp on how to do it.

But it wasn’t always the case.

Andrew was a talented (and lean) schoolboy and junior rower. But a busy, stressful and unhealthy lifestyle as a commercial lawyer caused him to stack on 50 unwanted kilograms in his twenties and early thirties (he was 140kg at his heaviest).

“The thought of eating first thing in the morning made me sick, so I used to have a cigarette and a coffee for breakfast,” Andrew recalled.

“I’d eat infrequently but when I did eat I’d have big meals to compensate. And I didn’t allow time to exercise.”

Thankfully that all began to change a few years ago when Andrew heard a Renouf radio advertisement offering guaranteed body-transformation results.

“Guaranteed results were exactly what I needed,” he said. “I didn’t have time for it to be any other way.”

“In fact I was so pushed for time that I had to get my secretary to ring up and get more information. She came in (to Renouf) and did a few sessions to see what it was all about and then she signed me up.”

Andrew steadily lost 20 kilograms over a two-year period thanks to tri-weekly personal training sessions and a gradual diet and lifestyle overhaul.

Then, in May 2010, he took the plunge and enrolled in Renouf Applecross’ eight-week Best Body Challenge, which incorporated the Precision Nutrition system.

“I asked Aaron (Mounier, owner of Renouf Applecross) how much weight I could realistically expect to lose in eight weeks,” Websdane recalled. “He said there was no reason I couldn’t lose 10 kilograms, so I aimed for 15.”

Incredibly, 7.5 kilograms dropped off during the first fortnight and by week six, Andrew had reached his goal weight.

“I had to set a new target!” he boasted.

By the end of the eighth week, Andrew arrived at a lean 96.6 kilograms. And although mentally and physically exhausted, he was understandably “thrilled” with his new-found lighter frame (as was the St Vinnies charity, which received the contents of his entire wardrobe).  

But over the next few months - and without the structure of the fortnightly weigh-ins offered by The Challenge – Andrew found the weight coming back on.

Not wanting his weight to spiral out of control again, Andrew bit the bullet and signed up for Renouf Applecross’ third instalment of the BBC.  

“I realised I needed the structure of the Precision Nutrition system and the support of the staff at Renouf to get back on track.”

And, just as he had in the first Challenge, Andrew recorded a massive weight-loss during the first fortnight – this time 8.6 kilograms.

In the following six weeks he shed a further 5.9 kilograms to finish the competition on 97.7 kilograms. (N.B. while Andrew actually recorded a lower body weight at the end of the first Challenge, he attributed that to being in a dehydrated state. At the end of the second Challenge, his body was fully hydrated).

The self-confessed “foodie” said the best thing about Renouf and the Precision Nutrition system was that - not only was he eating properly, but - he had learnt how to prepare and cook healthy and wholesome meals. 

“I’ve always been pretty handy in the kitchen, but the Precision Nutrition system has helped me become better organised in preparing quality food,” Andrew said.

“The guide is informative and very easy to follow. The recipes are simple to make and delicious, and I’ve never felt like I was starving myself.”

Andrew continued.

"I fully recommend the Challenge to anyone who wants to lose weight, eat better and feel fantastic.

“It’s great for busy people who are time poor as the structures are in place,” he said. “So you don’t have to think about it, you just have to commit to it.”

Andrew is under no illusion that the maintenance phase of his weight-loss journey is going to be easy, but there’s no doubt he’s got the determination, the skills and the support to make it a smooth and successful transition.   

“I will eat pasta again, I will eat rice again. I love food!” he admitted.

“But I will always try to eat six smaller meals a day and I’ll definitely have to keep up the cardio training. It will be a lifelong commitment, but one I’m more than happy to make.”

Max's inspired and disciplined approach to weight loss

Max Hartree is living proof that the programs endorsed by Aaron Mounier and his team at Renouf Applecross actually work.

The 37-year-old business owner lost a massive 22.4 kilograms to become Renouf’s “biggest loser” after the most recent eight-week fat-loss challenge.

Hartree now tips the scales at 103.2 kilograms and he has reduced his shirt size from 5XL to XL. Even more importantly, his blood pressure and cholesterol readings have improved.

Watching Hartree’s transformation during my initial weeks working as a personal trainer at Renouf was completely inspiring. And it made me wonder why Hartree was able to completely turn his life around, while others continued to make excuses.

“It’s hard for me to say ‘just try it’ or ‘you can do it’ because I heard all that from others for so many years,” he said.  

Hartree - who admitted that the simple act of tying his shoe laces used to be a chore – eventually grew tired of carrying around all those unnecessary pounds and decided to do something about it.

“To my embarrassment I tried Lite and Easy, I tried the Tony Ferguson diet and I even looked into getting gastric banding surgery, but that would’ve been taking the easy option,” Hartree admitted.

“I guess the turning point came when a friend confronted me asking if I’d actually really tried to lose the weight.

“I couldn’t say yes, because while I’d changed some of my bad habits from time to time, I hadn’t really committed to anything.”

Hartree attributed his new and improved smaller frame to an attitude shift on his part plus unwavering support, advice and encouragement from the staff at Renouf.

“I definitely did have the mindset that I seriously wanted to do something about my weight,” Hartree recalled. “And for once I just listened to advice. 

“At no stage (during the eight-week challenge) did I doubt myself because they (the staff at Renouf) believed 110 per cent that if I stuck to the program I would lose the weight."

  

What separates the Renouf program from other weight-loss options is its commitment to all aspects of fitness training – including strength, stamina and suppleness – plus a very well-considered nutrition plan (which even allows for occasional ‘treat’ meals).

  

But the indomitable Hartree took an “all or nothing approach” to his two-month journey.

“Basically I put my life on hold for eight weeks,” Hartree said. “I didn’t sway at all from the program; I didn’t even have a treat day or a treat meal.

“And each night as I went to bed I congratulated myself for not giving in to temptations.”

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” – Confucius.

My journey to “the unknown” has begun. I say unknown because while a fairytale comeback - to the Olympic rowing team after a two-year hiatus - would be nice, the real reason for me undertaking this journey is for the pure enjoyment of, well, the journey.

Fitness is a relative concept and while I consider myself to be a fit and healthy individual compared to the norm, I am unfit by world-class rowing standards. Consequently, Olympic selection is a long way from my thoughts at the moment (and thankfully I have a bit of time on my side in case my journey does take me down that path; final trials for the 2012 Australian Rowing Team will be held in February 2012). 

I won’t bore you with the details of my short-term health and fitness goals; suffice to say step one on the comeback trail targets fat loss, strength gain and enhanced aerobic capacity. And there are no secrets to achieving those goals; it all boils down to committing to plenty of cardio training, a well-structured strength and conditioning plan and a sensible diet and lifestyle. (Please speak to a health professional for individual advice if you are unsure).

I’m so glad I’ve finally taken the first steps on my journey. They are definitely the hardest ones to take! But I find it so much easier sticking to a regular healthy eating and exercise program when I have a goal in mind (yes, even Olympians and personal trainers can go off the rails without a plan).

So my words of wisdom are … stop procrastinating and start moving. Make some health and fitness goals for yourself, put a plan in place and hop to it! Because, invariably, any person who reaches a weight-loss target or improves their health and fitness through diet and exercise says – or at least thinks – “I wish I’d started sooner”.

I'm on the road to ...

Nowhere? Somewhere? Timbuktu?

Truthfully, I have no idea.

A good friend and mentor, Mr Bjorn Voon (ExquisiteFitness), has encouraged me to use my “Olympic” status and current role as a personal trainer to try and inspire the people of Perth to stay in good physical and mental health.

And somehow Bjorn’s good will and boundless passion and energy got me thinking about the possibility of making a comeback from retirement from my comeback from retirement.

For those who don’t know, I represented the Australian Rowing Team at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games before taking an extended break to focus on my non-rowing career (my first “retirement”).  

Thirteen months after the Beijing Games, I made my first comeback. That comeback lasted eight months and took me to within reach of making the Australian team for the 2009 World Championships (which will be held in New Zealand next month).

But a desire to put my recently-completed fitness qualifications to use in the real world forced me to pull out of the final selection trials (my second “retirement”).

But, as mentioned, Bjorn has helped me reach a point where I am now reconsidering a return to the elite rowing game. Though I would like to confirm that, at this stage, it is still just a consideration.

A fairytale ending is an attractive thought, but I’m realistic. I know my current fitness levels are miles from anywhere near what is needed to compete on the international stage. It would be completely arrogant of me to think otherwise.

But whether this journey ends with me standing in the middle of the Olympic podium in two or six year’s time or not, is relatively unimportant. My real purpose for undertaking this journey is to achieve a sense of closure.

If I come out the other end (of this journey) as a happy and healthy individual with an underlying sense of inner peace, then it will have all been worth it.

And if any part of my journey empowers or inspires, or even makes a few people reconsider their priorities, then that will be a bonus.