This morning I read a story about Gale Sayers and his battle with dementia. Losing your mind is the scariest thing in the world to me and if there is anything I can do to help myself and my loved ones avoid this I will. I am not saying nutrition is “the” reason we are seeing a large increase in brain related disease, but I think there is enough research that shows it plays a role. This is a long build up to me saying I believe in nutrition as a building block to health. I get frustrated some times when I see people approach nutritional coaching for the general population based on performance and aesthetics only. I am as excited as anyone when I see someone who has lost fat and gained muscle. The pictures and stories are so inspiring. I believe that nutrition can be used to fuel performance especially for athletes. I also know that unless we teach these people the importance of controlling inflammation and eating for health, we are doing them a disservice.
My last year of college, armed only with what I learned in my “nutrition” class, I was getting sick every 6 weeks. Every 6 weeks I would be sick for 10 days… and I thought that was normal. It wasn’t until I started CrossFit and was introduced to the Paleo diet that I realized how not normal that is. My obsession with learning about nutrition began. Fast forward to today and I can’t remember a time I was really sick in the past 5 years. Sure I have had times where my nose was stuffy or I felt something coming on but even those episodes only last a day or two. Food is so powerful, both good and bad, and I don’t think it’s talked about enough. I don’t know for sure that by eating the way I do I will avoid cancer and dementia but if there is even a remote chance I think it’s worth it. At MINT our mission statement reads “Our mission is to help others realize their incredible potential in health, fitness, and happiness”. I see way to many people settle for sickness. I truly want to see my friends live happier, healthier, fitter lives and I am excited to share how nutrition can play a role in that.
Jay
