Spotlight on John Edward

Fit for (The After) Life

Being one of New York City's top trainers is extremely gratifying. Besides working with celebrities and professional athletes, I get to change people's lives for the better. Recently, I had the distinct pleasure of working with someone who has touched the lives of millions of people in a positive way: John Edward.

For those of you who don't know who John is, let me give you some background. A man of many talents, John Edward is an internationally acclaimed psychic, bestselling author and host of the hit TV show Crossing Over. He has appeared on Larry King Live, Leeza, Entertainment Tonight and many other shows, revealing his supernatural ability to predict events and communicate with those who have crossed over to the other side. As a lecturer, John Edward is one of the best; his shows sell out faster than most rock concerts all over the world. His last book, One Last Time, hit number one on the Los Angeles Times bestsellers list, and his latest book, After Life: Answers from the Other Side, is bound to be a huge success.

So how did I get to train the man whose own clients wait over a year to sit down with him for a private reading? Well, as luck would have it, I met John through a mutual business associate. John was interested in getting in better shape, and I was more than happy to put my training expertise toward helping him achieve that goal. Avid AHF readers already know from my articles and monthly column that I am a no-nonsense person - if you are serious about training, then I will do everything possible to help.

I talked to John on the phone the night before our first session, and to my delight, I found him to be very serious about getting in shape. I told him that if he had the will, I had the way. We met the next morning at Bev Francis Gold's Gym (the premier gym in New York), and I put him through the Sepe fitness test. John proved to be a hard worker and very strong. I joked that he was using the spirits of bodybuilders past to help him move the weights and to stop cheating. After the test, I sat down and asked him exactly what his goals were. He said that his hectic travel schedule and his show's demands had made it extremely difficult for him to stay consistent with his eating and training, and to his dismay, he had put on some unwanted pounds. He wanted to lose the excess weight, increase his muscle definition and become a healthier person in the process.

In all of my years as a trainer, that was the singular most intelligent thing a client has ever said to me. (I usually hear, "I don't care what it takes; I will eat just lettuce for a month if it helps me lose weight.") I told John that he definitely came to the right person, because I have a new book, The Truth: The Only Fitness Book You'll Ever Need, based on exactly that notion: getting people in the best shape possible, and helping them achieve a healthier body in the process.

After our first meeting, I went to work on an eating plan that was healthier than John's current diet and that would allow him to eat out, take his food on the go and keep his body satisfied. Second, I put together a weight training regimen specifically designed for John's body. I wanted to work on balancing out his physique and giving him a better overall symmetrical look. Finally, I created a cardiovascular routine to help him burn calories, increase his cardio capacity and reduce stress.

John adapted to the program very well and has made immediate gains. He has already lost 15 pounds of fat and increased his lean body mass in the process. As we all know, getting and staying in shape are two very difficult things to do. It takes time, consistency and tremendous dedication. John has shown right from the start that he has the right attributes to achieve his goal, and it is my prediction that he will. For more information on John's books, seminars and upcoming events, visit johnedward.net.