One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is helping people achieve their target health and fitness goals. There is nothing more satisfying to me, then knowing that I helped make a positive change in someone's life. Regardless of my clients' goals, if they're important to them, then they're important to me. Therefore when one of my clients has achieved his or her goal, I feel that I have achieved that goal with them. When it comes to getting someone in shape and transforming their physique, there is more to it then just going to the gym and lifting weights. For me to help a client achieve his or her goals, I have to first understand my client. I cannot simply design a basic workout program, hand them a generic diet plan and expect them to succeed. This would be ignorant of me and foolish of them for trusting me with their health, by prescribing them with a one size fits all fitness plan. So when it comes to helping a client lose weight, build muscle and become more healthy and fit, they have to help me first. Because if my clients can't help me, then quite simply, I cannot help them.

Is it just me or has the level of intensity in gyms and fitness facilities these days completely gone down hill? No matter which gym I'm training at, I constantly see people texting on their phones, taking selfies in the mirror, and having long drawn out conversations with one another in between their sets. I know, I know. I need to shut up, mind my own business, and just train. However, even I have to admit, that's not always easy to do when I'm trying to complete a triple drop set in the squat rack and can overhear a conversation about how drunk the girl training next to me got last night. I try my best to stay focused on my own workouts. I rarely if ever take my headphones off and always try my best to keep conversations in the gym to a minimum if at all. I know to many I may come across as angry or intense, however I'm not at the gym to socialize, I'm at the gym to train.

As individuals, we are all entitled to our own thoughts, opinions and beliefs. We don't all have to agree with one another when it comes to topics such as politics, religion and health, however I do think it's important that we at least have respect and show some common decency to each other, no matter how much we may disagree or differ in views on a subject or issue at hand. With that said, when it comes to the science of exercise and health, I'm viewed by many as somewhat of an expert in this field based on my many years of experience and knowledge I've gained while working within the fitness industry. So what I suggest and advise people to do to lose fat, build muscle and become overall more healthy and fit is always right.....right?

WRONG!

It's a known fact that following a nutritious diet plan, as well as a consistent exercise program, helps promote living a more fit, active and healthy lifestyle. Making sure that you follow a diet that is rich in both vitamins and minerals will help keep your immune system strong and healthy. Exercising on a regular basis will strengthen both your muscles and your heart. And being more fit and active will make you feel better about yourself, both externally and internally. But can living an active and healthy lifestyle prevent you from getting sick? Many people will argue and say that it can. While others will suggest that your genetics and environmental surroundings impact health issues that many of us suffer from today. Some hardcore fitness enthusiasts believe that consistent exercise and clean eating can prevent diseases such as cancer, diabetes and coronary artery disease, just to name a few. And then there are those people who believe that no matter how healthy and fit a person is, they can't out train or outrun underlying health issues and diseases that they are susceptible to, due to their family health history or their work/social environment.

So what's my take on this subject? Can following a clean diet really prevent cancer? Can exercising daily really cure diabetes? Can being fit and active guarantee that you will live a long and pleasurable life?

As always, my opinion on the matter is more complex then most. I really don't have a definitive answer, nor do I have any medical claims or scientific data that support my theory on diet and exercise and how they both relate to preventing and relieving certain diseases and health issues. My thoughts and opinions are formed primarily through my own experience while working with the general population, as well as through the personal relationships that I have built with my friends, family members and clients, who have shared their own health stories with me over the years.