In this week’s episode of our Six Weeks to Fitness podcast, I’m joined by former Baltimore Raven, Matt Lawrence, a graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and Co-Founder of Lawrence International.  During the interview, Matt will share what it was like growing up in Hartford and Bloomfield Connecticut, two very different sides of the track and how that experience played a major part in shaping his young adult life.  Matt’s role models were his parents, who both have Masters degrees and stressed the importance of hard work and education.  While playing in the NFL, Matt was involved with the Presidential Council for Fitness and Nutrition where he volunteered his time to make a strong impact in the young lives who looked up to him. Wanting to make more of a global impact, Matt attended the Wharton school of business. While there, he was able to gain the critical information needed to build a sustainable business model that Lawrence International has today. Unfortunately shortly thereafter, Matt was sidelined and forced to retire due to a very severe concussion. Matt currently suffers from debilitating conditions due to his TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and during the interview, dives deep into the effects TBI is having on him in his personal and business life.  In the midst of his condition, Matt still remains strong and committed to the organization he and his cousin, James Lawrence founded. You can hear the passion in Matt’s voice as he talks about what motivated him to create the organization and the many opportunities and skills Lawrence International is providing kids locally and internationally. Matt is now an ordained minister and credits his faith in God for bringing him this far.  It was a pleasure interviewing Matt Lawrence and learning about the outstanding work Lawrence International is doing locally and internationally for the youth.

In this week's episode of our Six Weeks to Fitness podcast, I am joined by Pariis Garcia, a professional track & Field super star who runs for the Puerto Rican Athletics national team.  Pariis graduated with a Bachelors in Psychology and a Masters in Special Education from St. Johns University. Pariis is also the Brand Ambassador for iON Performance Care and is the creator of a fitness and nutrition blog called “Fit Curls”.  During the interview, Pariis will discuss how she was selected to run for the Puerto Rican Athletics team. She will also describe her rigorous training routine and visualization techniques before a race, and what motivates her to succeed.  Pariis is a strong believer in education and athletics but all of this is second to her love for family and faith in God, whom she credits for her success.  Pariis is young, and driven to succeed.  She is also committed to giving back to those less fortunate, which was evidenced by her support for the people in her homeland of Puerto Rico during the recent hurricane.  Pariis took the initiative and partnered with an Evangelical Baptist Church in NYC and collected donations to deliver to the devastated areas in Puerto Rico.  This is truly an amazing and inspiring young woman, who believes that whatever you conceive and believe, you can achieve.  What a pleasure it was to interview Pariis Garcia.

In this week's episode of our Six Weeks to Fitness podcast, I am joined by Certified Group Fitness Instructors/Personal Trainers, Kristina Lewis-Rodriguez and Cassandra Phifer, co-directors of FITBK, a borough-wide health, fitness and wellness community-based initiative based in Brooklyn.  During the interview, Kristina and Cassandra will discuss their personal journeys into a healthy lifestyle.  They will also announce that on Saturday, September 22, FITBK will host their first ever FITBK Inaugural Awards Gala Celebration at KAI Studio in Brooklyn.  This event (the first of its kind), will honor  leaders and luminaries in the health and fitness industry including fitness advocates, enthusiasts, educators, local government officials, media personalities and local supporters in support of FITBK's mission to improve the health outcome of people of color within at-risk communities as well as immigrant communities in Brooklyn.  The event is hosted by Jennifer Bisram, Multi-Emmy Nominated Television Journalist/Reporter for PIX 11 News.  This year's honorees include: superstars and unsung heroes in fitness such as Trinidadian soca music recording artist and CEO/Founder of AZAFIT, Fay-Ann Lyons; CEO of Just-Train and personal trainer to actor/comedian Kevin Hart, Ron "Boss" Everline; Fitness Coach and Personal Trainer Anthony Gibson; the national organization Black Girls Run Inc.; and Lisa George, Fitness Professional.  All proceeds from the event will help fund FITBK's NO-COST health, wellness and fitness educational programs offered throughout Brooklyn and Queens.

 I really enjoyed interviewing Kristina and Cassandra, as they talked passionately about FITBK's NO-COST weekly results-driven aerobics and core strength training classes and their upcoming Awards Gala Celebration, which is sure to be a MAJOR success and the start of something big.  For more information on the fitness classes or to purchase tickets for the Awards Gala, call 718-940-2200 Ext. 115.

In this week’s episode of our Six Weeks to Fitness podcast, I am joined by Orvel Douglas, a Certified Nutrition and Diet Specialist.  Orvel’s journey into nutrition started out over 20 years ago, when he weighed over 200 pounds and within 8 weeks through proper nutrition and exercise, lost over 50 pounds.  During the interview, Orvel Douglas, who is a Fruitarian, will explain the differences between being a Vegan, Vegetarian and Fruitarian and why he believes that the Fruitarian lifestyle is best and more effective when it comes to detoxifying your body and improving your health.  Orvel will also list the types of fruit he recommends for anyone wishing to try the Fruitarian diet and why eating these fruits work so well in reversing chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, arthritis and more.

For the past 2 years, Orvel has hosted a bi-monthly Fruitarian Challenge on Facebook, where you can find hundreds of testimonies from people all over the world, who have taken part in his challenges and received amazing results.  According to Orvel, even if you don’t complete the monthly challenge and try eating just fruits for a few days or a week, you will receive enormous benefits that can change your life.

If you’re looking for a possible solution to obesity, diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure or whatever ails you, the Fruitarian lifestyle just might be worth a try.  This has been a very informative interview and I for one will be eating more fruit.

 For more information on the Fruitarian lifestyle or to set up a consultation, you can reach Orvel Douglas at orveldouglas@yahoo.com.