This past weekend I drove down to Chattanooga, TN, to my old home town to do a 15K race.  The race was through the scenic Chickamauga Battlefield.  I grew up 1 mile from the park entrance, so I used to walk out my front door and run down a narrow, windy GA roads to the park and then run for miles through the Battlefield.  I wanted to run this race for “old times sake” and to test my fitness level. When I used to run through the park, I had logged miles and miles under my belt for the week already.  I used to run anywhere from 5-12 miles a day, 5 miles being a light day for me.   I loved to run (and still do). I love the wind on my face, the way I feel flying over the pavement, and the release I feel from stress and life as I run.  As a teenager and early college student, I ran because I felt like I HAD to in order to stay in shape.  I struggled for 3 years of highschool with anorexia. After breaking my leg in a soccer game my junior year of high school, I decided I had better change my eating (or NON-eating) habits and get healthy again. I had dropped dangerously low from 120 lbs. to 82 lbs.  I began to regain muscle and strength because I wanted to get scouted to play a Division I sport.  My senior year, I signed to play Division I soccer in Virginia.  Once I was off to school however, I quickly realized I had traded one “system” for another. I went from being obsessed with my eating and not doing that anymore, to being obsessed with exercise.  I really wasn’t “better” at all…I had simply traded one obsession for another in an attempt to stay fit.  This cycle continued through the yo-yo weight gain of 4 babies in 6 years.

After we lost our son Hosea, running was all I did. I ran and ran and ran.  I think in that season of my life, I’d nearly convinced myself if I ran hard enough and far enough that I could run from the pain.  But as we all know, it doesn’t work that way.  Running gave my mind a much needed break from everything that was swirling around 24-7.

(running the West Palm Beach half marathon 6 months after Hosea’s Heaven Day)

So needless to say, running has been a part of my life since I was in 3rd grade.

3 years ago, I let go of running as the way to keep my body healthy and fit.  It was one of the scariest things I’d done. For anyone who is an avid runner, you know that if you even take a few days off, you feel like you are running through quick sand the next time you hit the pavement.  So taking “time off” was not an option for me…I never wanted to risk “losing” everything I’d worked so hard to accomplish.  But the results of years and years of running like a crazy woman (combined with the stress and trauma we walked through) resulted in fibromyalgia symptoms and the worst pain I’ve ever felt.  It was 2 long years of this battle. Which lead my to researching other methods of exercise and other means of nutrition to maintain my same level of fitness or better, but without having to kill myself. Thus we discovered Burst Training, combined with Shaklee’s sports nutrition to fuel our workouts before and after, as well as Cinch as a daily meal which gave my body a complete protein and nutrients it was lacking. We researched this method of high intensity, short duration exercise and came to quickly see the benefits in our own lives. After two more years of research and development, Burstclub was birthed.

For the past 3 years, BurstClub’s 3 minute workouts, an occasional jog, and some longer sprint days here and there have been my fitness routine.  I’d never thought I’d say that this “runner-aholic” would ever LOVE doing just 3 minutes of exercise. But after seeing my body transform before my eyes to something it had NEVER been even with running 12 miles a day, I was sold—what’s not to love about killer results in less time?? (btw: my body did not stay in the shape it was in the picture above. After Hosea, I stopped eating because most days I couldn’t even think straight. It was a miracle to get myself and my kids dressed everyday, let alone remember to eat!  After Asher was born, and before we discovered burst training, I hit a major plateau and was stuck 15 lbs. overweight. Click here to see that journey).

From everything we’d researched, and from partnering with a doctor from the Olympic wrestling team, we discovered that burst training actually reduces inflammation in the body, decreases cortisol (a stress hormone), and works both fast AND slow twitch muscle. Long distance running is proven to release primarily cortisol (which has catastrophic effects on the body long term….just think how you feel when you get stressed and imagine that inside your body every day all the time), create inflammation, and only works slow twitch muscles.  Burst training is also proven to increase you VO2 levels (the body’s ability to hold Oxygen in the blood…this is what causes you to either be gasping for air when you run, or be calm and cool in your breathing…the higher you VO2, the harder and faster you can go).  This was why I was curious to run a race off of primarily training with BurstClub’s workouts.  If burst training really increases VO2 levels,  then I wanted to test it and compare my fitness level now, after 3 years of little to no running and long distance training, to where I was when I was only doing long distance training.

I’m not “dogging” running by any means!! I still love to do it and know many who haven’t had the same journey with physical pain that I’ve had.  However, I know many who are trapped much like I was in the mentality that “longer is better” and that running like crazy is the only way to stay in the shape you want.

The 15K race I did this weekend proved differently. I came in 3rd place in my age bracket with a time o f 1 hour and 12 minutes for 9.3 miles.  That’s about a 7:44 mile.  It’s not Olympic athlete speed, nor is it anything near what my buddy Jon Eichert does (he is an AMAZING marathoner….but he does them BAREFOOT!! He is definitely an inspiration!), but its the same speed or better that I used to run with hours of training.  I did none of that this time.  I came in 728th out of 1700 people.  I will say that I was VERY stringent about my nutrition this time around.  I used to just run out the door and not think about hydrating or what I’d put in my body….I’d just run.  The result would be I’d have the temporary “runner’s high” for an hour after then I’d crash and need a nap every day. With small kids this never happened so I was just cranky and tired all the time.   I don’t miss those days!  After BurstClub workouts, I NEVER feel a crash…only energized.

My Pre-race Fuel consisted of a Cinch protein shake, Performance for hydration (hydrates 80% faster than water with NO added colors, artificial sugars, or preservatives), and Energy Chews.  Most energy or gel packs have 2-3 preservatives and 2-3 different dyes for color.  This is simply adding toxins straight into your system every time you use one.  Olympic athletes trust Shaklee to win more than 100 gold, silver and bronze medals, surely I can too at the level I’m at.

After the race, I bi-passed the bagel line and ran straight for my Physique After Workout Maximizer (helps prevent soreness and repairs muscles faster) and my Cinch snack bar.  Physique is awesome! It has the perfect blend of carbs to protein that the body needs following exercise so that you can recover and build lean muscle faster (and remember, the more lean muscle you have the better your metabolism works for you to burn fat!!).

I still love to run and don’t think anything is wrong with it.  It gives still gives me joy to feel the wind on my face and have a good stress release from a nice run….but BurstClub and Shaklee’s Sports and Cinch products have allowed me to run from a different place.  Gone are the days of obsession or feeling “locked in.”  I feel free now to run when I want to run for fun, knowing that I can still get great times if I ever want to race, but I don’t have to kill myself daily for this type of competitive fitness level!  If you’re anything like me, you love to compete, have a goal, and love a good challenge.  There will always be those seasons of my life where we want to train for something because I love the challenge of it (i.e. a race, triathalon, Tough Mudder, etc).  But I was on a quest to see if that training could possibly look different this time around.  Do I HAVE to get up at 5 am to run 15 miles or can I get the same results in less time?  All I know is, I NEVER want to go back to the pain I was in before so I’m not willing to sacrifice how I feel now just for a race.  But the exciting part for me, and hopefully you if you are feeling “stuck,” was that my experience this weekend showed me something I’ve been wondering for a few years….I really do only have to commit to 3 minutes of work a day (doing the right type of training….burst training), choose when I want to go for some distance, and daily taking care of myself by way of nutrition and Shaklee supplementation will get me the same, if not better results!  Works for me!!

BurstClub and Shaklee have truly made health and fitness a lifestyle for me…both of which are SO incredibly simple and feasible to maintain over the long-haul.  You CAN achieve your goals…whatever they are!

Maybe you have had some questions or concerns about soy protein. Maybe you are frustrated and fed up with all the information out there.  I know I was.  And I know I’m treading on “thin ice” as this seems to be a controversial subject that people like to get heated over. I have no desire to start a war or debate. I simply thought I’d share a few thoughts on our own personal journey with choosing a protein for our family…knowing that we are not getting all of the amino acids daily from our food and it’s necessary to supplement our diets.  I don’t have all the answers, but all I know is, our family feels better, looks better, and is healthier than we’ve ever been since incorporating soy protein into our diets.

This was how I came to the conclusion of what was right for our family…I had to evaluate my decision a couple different ways.

1. Experience

2. Research

3. Testimonies (Real life stories of people who had used it and had life change!)

Experience has shown me that after 12 years on soy protein that I feel better than I have in my whole life.  Experience also showed me that my brother in laws’ 38 cancerous tumors disappeared after being on soy protein and other supplements.

Which brings me to the second criteria…Research.  My brother in law didn’t use just any old soy protein from the store…and thank God!! That would’ve done him more harm than good!!!   Nearly all store bought soy proteins do not meet the 7 criteria below and thus are more harmful to your body than anything and totally defeat the purpose of you using it!  The only brand we trust when it comes to protein is Shaklee because we have personally seen how it’s radically changed our family’s health (from cancer, to migraines, healthy pregnancies, hormone issues being regulated, to weight loss and better immunity).  My kids, who have been on Shaklee’s soy protein since they were 4-6 months old, have never been to a doctor a day in their lives….and they are now 9, 7 and 4.    So when I talk about, and am a proponent for, “soy protein” the only one I am talking about is Shaklee’s.  I wouldn’t touch any other because I know the stringent standards this company has and what they go through to ensure that all their protein is kept alive (like food) and has zero toxins, chemicals, or additives.  And none of the soy beans used are EVER Genetically Modified (GMO).

A lot of the “anti-soy research” (if you can call it research) came from a “study” (if you can even call it a study!) years ago where so called scientists injected lab rats with soy protein and they got cancer.  The PROBLEM was (that they neglected to mention in their findings) that they injected enough soy protein in the rats to equal you and I drinking 1 protein shake every 30 seconds for 24 hours!!! We would never, in our right minds, consume ANY food product (even broccoli) every 30 seconds for 24 hours!! We’d all have some serious issues!   No wonder they got cancer. It jacked up their whole immune and digestive system and turned the body on itself.  And, the type of protein that they fed the rats was not natural, but GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) so it was toxic.  Thus, the big soy scare is not really a scare at all if you are using the RIGHT type of soy, which I only know of Shaklee having.  There may be other companies out their that hold to the standards this company does of 350 quality control test on every ingredient every time, processing their soy to keep it alive rather than heating it, and washing it with water vs. alcohol, but I know of none.  And Dr. Shaklee started with the soy bean 56 years ago based on his research of what this super food does in the body (he too had cancer from radiation poising so what he was a proponent for came from personal use).  If it is still being used by the company 56 years later as the #1 seller AND they’ve invested nearly 350 million in research AND lives have been changed for the last 56 years, then I think I’ll trust their stance verses some wacko who does a study on rats (which Shaklee NEVER tests on animals…only what the products do in real human beings bodies).

My rule of thumb with anything is “Try it. See how you feel. If you don’t feel better, get your money back.”  I don’t know all the answers, but all I know is, my brother in law’s 38 cancerous tumors disappeared after being on Shaklee soy heavily for a year and a half, I have n0 hormone issues after “upping” my intake of Shaklee soy, and my husband still has not grown “man boobs.”   Oh, yeah…I forgot to mention that’s another one of the arguments as to why NOT to use soy.   I’ve been waiting after the last 13 years of him using Shaklee soy to see them appear, but he has just gotten more sexy and ripped. So that one’s a fallacy too.

Stories and personal Testimonies were another big deal for me. As I started on Shaklee’s soy protein back in my Division 1 soccer days, I immediately noticed a difference. But then I started to hear about hundreds of others who, over the years (56 to be exact) have seen huge life-change and dramatic results by adding this healthy protein into their diet.  The irony of this all is, soy has been given such a bad rap that some who need it the most due to health issues they have (i.e. cancer, thyroid issues, hormone imbalance) have been told by very loving and well-meaning practitioners to avoid it like the plague.  This actually makes me sad because I’ve seen first hand how it has helped to give people their lives back. Let’s face it…if you don’t have your health, what kind of life do you have?   We all want to feel better, live longer, and enjoy life to the fullest.  This was the quickest and simplest way to add something in on a daily basis that has radically changed my body and health.  I hope my journey will help some of you who are searching for answers to find what you’re looking for.  The 7 Criteria below helped me greatly in evaluating which protein to use for myself and my family.

Common Concerns About Soy

by Dr. Richard Brouse

Do soybeans cause cancer?

It is true that “overcooked” soy does contain “carcinogenic” compounds. When soy is extruded through high temperature, high-pressure steam nozzles to form what is called “textured vegetable protein – TVP for short”, this form of processing renders the soy “meat substitute” carcinogenic or cancer causing. TVP is what is used in soy dogs and soy burgers, and should be avoided.

What about roasted soybeans?

Whole soybeans are high in plant fat. If soybeans are roasted to eat as soy nuts, the heat alters the fat and makes it a trans-fatty acid, which causes both cancer and heart disease. As roasted soy nuts sit on the shelf or in the cupboard in storage, the oils are becoming more and more rancid and carcinogenic. AVOID roasted soybeans.

But I’ve heard that soy protein is hard on the kidneys!

Animal protein is much harder to digest than vegetable protein. Since many people have digestive difficulties, protein that is not thoroughly digested is very challenging to the kidneys. Powdered protein is in a predigested state, and the BEST protein source to choose! Protein is not the enemy – it is essential for life. It is true, however, that EXCESSIVE protein is hard on the kidneys, so if a person consumes more than 2 grams of protein per pound of body weight daily, AND does not consume adequate carbohydrates with it, this could cause kidney damage.

I have breast cancer, and I’ve been told I cannot have soy!

It is true that soy is a “phyto-estrogen” food, which means it contains substances that have hormone-like components. However, their estrogen strength is 1/1000th that of the body’s own stronger estrogens. Therefore, you want to load your digestive system with quality controlled raw soy powder, because these weaker estrogens will block the estrogen receptor sites from receiving your body’s own stronger estrogens and therefore be very protective against estrogen fed cancer.

Essential Seven Checklists for a Quality Soy Product:

1) Were the soybeans ORGANICALLY GROWN?

Studies have shown decreased levels of food nutrients and increased levels of nitrates in chemically fertilized crops, when compared with their organic counterparts. There is a connection between the ingestion of nitrates & CANCER! Therefore, it is important to know that pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides have not been used during the growing process. In particular, with soybeans, since they are such a hardy plant, a powerful and DEADLY weed spray called Round Up is usually used. For your safety, you must know that your soy products are organically grown. [Shaklee soy is organically grown.]

2) Were the soybeans GENETICALLY ENGINEERED?

Genetically engineered soybeans are much cheaper to purchase, and most companies producing soy products look for ways to save money. [Shaklee soy is certified non-GMO (i.e., it is guaranteed to contain no genetically-modified organism.)]

3) Does your soybean powder contain ALL of the nine essential amino acids?

One of the most valuable features of the soybean is that it is a complete protein and provides ALL nine of the essen

tial amino acids. The body requires these daily to produce hormones, digestive juices, antibodies, and enzymes. HOWEVER, not all soybeans are created equal. Quality and amino acid content will vary based on soil conditions, and variable growing and harvest conditions. If one essential amino acid is missing, the immune system can be depressed 30%, and many important body functions are delayed or stopped. Therefore, it is essential that each batch of soybeans be checked for amino acid content if we want to depend on the soy isolate to provide a GUARANTEED supply of the nine essential amino acids.  [Shaklee soy contains all nine essential amino acids.]

4) Were the crushed soy flakes washed in alcohol or water?

Alcohol washing destroys isoflavones content up to 88%! It is the isoflavones that reduce the risk of breast, prostate, lung and bowel cancer! As well, it is the isoflavones that are so beneficial in hormone balancing and increasing bone mass.  [Shaklee soy is washed only in water.]

5) Was the “anti-thyroid”, “anti-growth” substance in the raw soy removed?

Asians, who have consumed large amounts of soy for years, have known that RAW soy contains an “anti-growth”, “anti-tyrosine” substance. Tyrosine deficiency will cause low blood pressure, low body temperature, and restless leg syndrome. Therefore, Asians always lightly cook their soy foods to deactivate the “anti-tyrosine/anti-growth” substance. Shaklee has designed an extracting process that removes this substance, yet keeps the soy in a raw form in order to maintain the HIGHEST LEVEL OF AMINO ACIDS and ISOFLAVONES, which are very sensitive to heat.  [Shaklee removes all pro-goitrogens from its soy.]

6) Is your soybean food RAW or heated?

Amino acids are very sensitive to heat. In some studies, cooking protein has been shown to destroy up to 50% of some ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS. If an individual consistently consumes a diet that is lacking in all of the essential amino acids, inadequate brain development and hormones, or other body tissue development can be the result.  [Shaklee soy is raw.]

7) Has CALCIUM been added to your soy powder?

Some negative reports about soy say that soy powders are VERY ACIDIC and cause bone loss because it causes calcium to be drawn from the bones!!!! The raw soy bean is a NEUTRAL food–neither acidic or alkaline. However, the removal of the soybean oil (which is essential so the soy powder will not go rancid very quickly), makes the powder very acidic. Therefore, adequate calcium (which is very alkaline) must be added to cause the powder to be neutral again, or it can cause the above stated problem. Many protein powder manufacturers do not add any or enough calcium.  [Shaklee soy has added calcium for proper pH balance.]

About the Author:

Dr. Brouse is a widely recognized authority in the fields of nutrition and prevention of chronic degenerative diseases. Dr. Brouse has a Master’s in Biochemistry and is a Doctor of Chiropractic. He was an Associate Professor of Clinical Nutrition for 14 years and found the renowned Sunnyside Health Center in Clackamas, Oregon in 1977. Since that time many people throughout the world have regained a greater measure of health while following the recommendations of the clinic’s health professionals.

I don’t know many people who can actually run a full marathon….let alone, barefoot.  But that is exactly what our friend Jon Eichert is doing this Monday in Boston.  He is an avid barefoot runner and has challenged me to new levels of fitness.  It’s amazing what our bodies can actually do when we make a decision we are doing it!  Jon started with simply running barefoot to his mailbox, then the next day a tenth of a mile, then gradually worked up to a mile. He carried his shoes with him, would slip them on after a mile, then finish his run.

We met Jon over a year ago and have seen his fitness level grow and his performance increase in many ways.  He is a “never-give-up” kind of guy.  His personal best marathon time 3:13. He is set to beat his time in the Boston Marathon.  But this time….it will be barefoot.

We met up with Jon last night before he left for Boston. BurstClub is proud to be sponsoring his endeavors and he will be racing using Shaklee nutrition so we had to load him up with nutrition products and BURSTClub gear for the race. Before we left, I just had to ask, “Are your feet calloused and hard?”  He then proceeded to make me feel his foot. Eew.   But shockingly, they were as soft as a baby’s bottom. He said he “exfoliates” them every time he runs. Haha!

John was in great shape before (how else is the guy running marathons?) but since adding BurstClub’s 3 minute workouts (a lot different than his usual training!) into his weekly routine, he has increased his overall speed and has dropped 5 lbs.  Now this may not sound like a big deal to the average “Joe” who has more to lose. But if you are an athlete or are competitive at any level, you most likely understand just how big 5 lbs. is and how drastically it improve your performance and energy level!  Jon is leaner and faster than ever and we are excited to see him at the top!!!  Stay tuned for his race progress on Monday!

Just arrived in Boston

Jon Bursting with us at our house. He joins our BurstClub every week and drove over an hour just to workout with us!!  He is one committed guy!  You’ll notice he inspired Nathan and I to burst bare foot. I’ve been doing it for awhile now and absolutely love it! My balance and coordination have improved, and I have had spine, neck and back issues in the past but going barefoot is helping!  This is totally opposite of normal protocol. I’ve been told only wear arch supports, make sure to have a heel lift in my shoe at all times, and I even bought some MBT shoes!!  Oh, yeah baby!  They were pretty sexy. It was a point in my life though when I couldn’t honestly barely even walk because of the pain in my feet and back.  I am loving that Jon really challenged us to go barefoot more and watch how our body realigns itself.  This, combined with my favorite method of natural pain management, Egoscue with John Elder, I’m feeling great these days!!!  I highly recommend trying barefoot as well as Egoscue if you have any type of pain in your body. It works to retrain your muscles and give them a new “memory” to hold you body in the correct posture.

We are rooting you on Jon!  B.U.R.S.T. on baby!!