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NFitMan PREBIOTICS 101
MAXIMIZING YOUR WOD
A MAN’S GUIDE TO FITNESS
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013
KEEPING THE WARRIOR SPIRIT ALIVE TRANSITION POSSIBLE
IS VASECTOMY RIGHT FOR YOU? TACKLING THE MYTHS & MISUNDERSTANDINGS
GAIN FROM YOUR WORKOUT
TOP OF THE COPS
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HOW POLICE CHIEF
WILLIAM McMANUS ENSURES THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IS IN GOOD HANDS
SURPRISE BENEFITS RESCUE PET ADOPTION
WAYS TO PREVENT OVERUSE INJURIES
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TEXTING IN THE WORLD OF DATING
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september/october 08 a better you
- The perfect partner - Too much texting?
17 preventative measures - Vasectomy: Is it right for you? - Gaining from your workout - Food for thought
22 nonprofit
- Surprise benefits - Strength. Hope. Guidance.
28 events
- Food, fitness and fun
2013 contents
As one of the most highly regarded police chiefs in the nation,
william mcmanus continues to work tirelessly for the San Antonio community.
12 Cover and table of contents photography by: sarah brooke lyons
NFitMan september/october 2013
Eliot Garza
CEO / NSIDE Media Productions
liz whittaker Publisher
editorial director shana hamid
executive editor erin o’brien
creative director Elisa Giordano
senior graphic designer cristina villa hazar
International Marketing Account Sales Anabelle Rodriguez
account executive valerie stewart
staff writer paige crawford
contributing writers dan corbett maurice harris daniel jaramillo lenore kaiser rick martinez dr. joshua plant luis santiago
photographers holly chaffin sarah brooke lyons
editorial intern
FITNESS
DOESN’T START WITH THE WEIGHTS OR THE SHOES, IT STARTS WITH THE MIND.
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NFIT MAN september / october 2012
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to reach us: 18402 U.S. Highway 281 N, Ste. 201 San Antonio, Texas 78259 Phone: 210.298.1761 Fax: 210.568.6630 Copyright © NSIDE Media Productions All rights reserved. Reproduction without the expressed written permission of the publisher is prohibited.
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a better you
the
Perfect partner
Maximize your WOD by adding a licensed massage therapist to your team.
like the aerobics craze of the 1980s and the recent explosion of themed races ranging from 5K color runs to music-centric half-marathons, CrossFit has taken the country by storm in an almost cult-like fashion with people from all walks of life getting together to workout and challenge themselves physically and mentally. Unlike running and aerobics, CrossFit is the “sport of fitness,” and it does not specialize in one type of exercise. CrossFit combines aerobic
The most commonly reported are shoulder, back and knee pain. In addition to paying attention to proper form and ensuring they are using correct weight during a WOD, CrossFitters are prime candidates for sports massage and its raft of benefits. Sports massage is designed to prepare the body for optimal performance, reduce fatigue and relieve muscle swelling and tension. It helps alleviate pain and prevents such injuries that greatly affect flexibility, mobility, response
Adding sports »»» massage to your WOD
is an easy way to decrease your chances of injury.
conditioning, Olympic weightlifting, gymnastics and more old-school training elements like kettle bells, rope climbs, tire flipping and more into a WOD (workout of the day). Unfortunately, like with all physical exercise, CrossFitters, who quite honestly play harder than most, experience their share of injuries.
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time and overall athletic performance. In CrossFit, muscles are heavily exercised and lose their ability to relax, causing tight muscles and loss of flexibility, which can lead to muscle pulls and tears. Massage is the answer. Muscle overuse, or the accumulation of tension in the muscles from regular training, may
lead to stress on the joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles, which causes imbalances. Often, these imbalances go unnoticed and athletes recruit other muscles to make up for their strain. This eventually leads to discomfort and possibly injury. A skilled massage therapist can detect variations in the soft tissues and restore balance even before the athlete is aware of an issue. Sports researchers suggest that injury rates could be reduced by 25 percent with appropriate preventive action. Having a licensed massage therapist on your team is an easy way to decrease your chances of injury. Adding sports massage to a WOD will help reduce the chance of injury, increase recovery and improve performance. CrossFit has been reported to help make people better versions of themselves. Adding regular therapeutic massage to a workout regimen will have benefits beyond the physical, affecting the mental and spiritual and helping CrossFitters feel strong and connected inside and out. ■ For more information, visit Massage Heights online at www.massageheights.com or look for us on Facebook.
man getting massage image Andrey_Popov/shutterstock.com
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too much
Texting? How to use texting to your benefit in the world of dating
by Luis Santiago
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Technology has become a big part of our day-to-day life, so it’s no wonder it is affecting our relationships and how we communicate. As a dating coach, I see singles trying to incorporate email, texting and Facebook into their dating lives, but they are unaware of how to properly use them. These forms of communication have their advantages; however, many rely on them too much, which has a negative impact on your dating life. In this article, we are going to focus on what I feel is the most commonly used form of electronic communication: texting. In a book I read recently called “The Greatness Guide” by Robin Sharma, there is a great quote: “The paradox of our wired world is that as we become more connected electronically, we become less connected emotionally.” If you find yourself not making genuine connections with women, it could be because you are relying too much on texting. The truth is that texting will never replace verbal communication. If you rely on texting because you have fears of being rejected or don’t feel comfortable talking to a woman, it is going to be difficult for you make a connection with her. A lot of men forget that if you want a woman to be attracted to you, she needs to feel com-
man text messaging image Rido/shutterstock.com
a better you
confident, call her to plan your dates. She will appreciate that you are taking the time to talk to her and asking for her input on what she would like to do. Text her to let her know you are going to call her. One issue I hear from men is that it seems women “prefer” texting. While this may partly be true, you can also be the leader in the process. Here is a little secret: Both men and women are attracted to each other’s voices. The more she hears your voice, the more likely she will be become attracted to you. So instead of using texting for most of your communication, use it as a means to initiate verbal communication. Here’s an example: “I’d love to call you later tonight; will you be available?” This will have her looking forward to your call. Note: If you say you are going to call a woman, call. Use texting for flirting. Texting is great for sending short, sweet messages. Here is a word of caution, though: Too much of anything is usually not a good thing. She might be turned
The paradox of our wired world is that as we become more connected electronically,
photo by mike rosenfeld
we become less connected emotionally. fortable around you. The best way to make that happen is to talk to her and spend time with her. I work with many women, and one of the complaints they have about men is that men don’t call anymore, especially when it comes to asking them out. So if you want to stand out from all the other men and show her you have confidence, here are some ways to use texting to your benefit: Don’t make plans via text. I’ve never quite understood why guys would want to ask a girl out via text. If you want to show her you are
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off if you text her too much. Text messages such as “It was nice spending time with you last night,” “You looked beautiful yesterday” and “I can’t wait to see you tonight” are always great. This will get her to think about you and anticipate the next time you are going to see each other. If you text her too much, all of that will fade. Remember: If you want to start building real connections with women, don’t hide behind texting. Start following these texting rules, and you will set yourself apart from other men. ■
Luis Santiago, dating and relationship coach, is leveraging his dating expertise by joining Scenergy Dating, based in San Antonio. The service combines trendy mixers for singles, online dating, personal matchmaking and date/relationship coaching. For more information, visit www.luissantiago.net or www.scenergy-dating.com.
For More Information: MaxlifeDirect.com NFIT MAN september/october 2013
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cover story
San Antonio’s
Top cop ✯ How William McManus became one of the most effective and efficient police chiefs in Alamo City history and one of the most highly regarded in the nation
The medallion was passed down to Mcfew communities in America enManus through generations of his family. joy having a chief of police as well liked McManus describes his father as a devout, and highly regarded as San Antonio's own hardworking man who lived for his family. William (Bill) McManus, who has an exAfter graduating from Villanova Uniceptional approval rating within the community. It is well deserved, and it makes versity in Pennsylvania, McManus beMcManus one of the most effective and gan his law enforcement career with the efficient police chiefs this city has ever had. Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Deby Dan Corbett McManus is widely regarded by many as pospartment as a rookie cop walking the beat as a patrol officer. While serving in the Metropolitan sibly the finest chief of police in the country. photography by Police Department, McManus earned his master’s McManus grew up on the tough streets of Philasarah brooke lyons degree in management from Johns Hopkins University delphia and Washington, D.C. As a child, he lived in in Baltimore, Md. a small, three-bedroom, one-bathroom home with his parWhile in D.C., McManus worked the most violent streets in the ents, grandfather and four sisters. His role model was always his nation’s capitol, which were plagued by murder, prostitution, gangs and father, Lawrence McManus, who often worked two to three jobs in narcotics. He was serving as an assistant police chief in Washington when order to support his family. Young McManus often helped his father at the various jobs whenever 9/11 struck, and he worked recovery efforts at the Pentagon in the aftertime allowed. His hardworking father was his biggest inspiration in life. math. Around McManus’ neck, he still wears his father’s wedding ring given to While McManus was serving on the D.C. police force, his father died him by his mother, as well as the Catholic medallion, “immaculate heart.” of lung cancer after a long illness. McManus stayed at his father’s bedside
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''Chief McManus cares for every citizen, and he displays that care.�
NFIT MAN september/october 2013
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during his final days of life and had to take his captain’s exam the very day after his father died. It was an emotionally heart-wrenching time for him. While living in Washington, McManus met his future wife, Lourdes, while working out at a gym one morning. Lourdes was an immigrant from Peru who was working on getting her citizenship at the time. McManus describes his wife as an extremely attentive fulltime mother of three and a devoted daughter to her mother, Carmen. Lourdes has been described by the public at large as one of the most intelligent, beautiful and charming individuals in the community. She’s very approachable and always ready with a kind word and a smile. Along with his wife and three kids, McManus’ mother-in-law, Carmen, lives beside them near the center of town. Carmen retired from World Bank and has been described by her son-in-law (McManus) as one of his personal advisers and a second mother to him. Carmen and McManus switch off between sharing the cooking duties in the McManus household. After serving his time with the D.C. police department, McManus become the police chief in Dayton, Ohio. After Dayton, McManus’ next stop was Minneapolis, Minn., where he was appointed police chief in 2004. While serving in Minneapolis, McManus worked closely with the various neighborhood groups to address crime and improve the quality of life in the community. In 2006, during the last year of his contract in Minneapolis, San Antonio popped up on McManus’ radar, so he flew to the Alamo City for daylong interviews with various community groups and City Manager Sheryl Sculley. Shortly there after, McManus was appointed San Antonio’s new chief of police. McManus says his only regret about San Antonio is that he didn’t arrive here 20 years earlier. McManus relishes his role as a member of the city’s leadership team and appreciates the various working relationships he’s established over the years. According to San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro, “Chief McManus has been a fantastic leader and effective chief, and I applaud his involvement in the community. He’s gone out of his way to engage the local residents to make our neighborhoods safer.” During the last seven years, McManus has had a dramatic and significant impact on the San Antonio community. The current level of cooperation between the police and fire departments is among the best in the nation. McManus played a leadership role in creating a modernized dispatch center and incorporated state-of-the-art technology. Additionally, the Southwest Texas Fusion Center was created under McManus. The fusion center serves as an intelligence-gathering, counter-terrorism hub for law enforcement agencies around the state. McManus has forged a close working relationship with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office and with state and federal law enforcement agencies. According to Bexar County Sheriff Susan Pamerleau, “I am very pleased with the working relationship that Chief McManus and I have forged, not only through talking frequently and sharing information, but also through working closely together to keep our community safe.” McManus established social networking on Facebook and Twitter in order to keep the community aware of police activities. It serves as an effective tip-line for concerned citizens and has proven to be an invaluable tool to help the SAPD stay connected with local citizens. McManus succeeds in staying involved in all areas of law enforcement and is known for being hands-on. DWI enforcement is one of his top priorities. McManus serves as a terrific role model for our young people, and he enjoys interacting with the community. He is a reading buddy for two students at Briscoe Elementary School and a staple at local career days on campuses throughout San Antonio. McManus regularly speaks to our youth about their safety and contributes as a board member for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organi-
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''Chief McManus has been a fantastic leader and an effective chief,
and I applaud his involvement in the community.” – Mayor JuliÁn Castro
NFIT MAN september/october 2013
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zation in San Antonio. “Chief McManus is an outstanding police chief,” said District Attorney Susan Reed. “He is exceptionally qualified, innovative in his attack on crime and he is community oriented. I have witnessed him personally in the community, and he cares for every citizen and displays that care.” To keep his energy level high for the demands of the job, McManus maintains a workout regimen that would exhaust most people. His daily routine encompasses both weightlifting and cardio exercises. McManus maintains a healthy diet eating six to seven small meals a day. Being conscientious about exercise and diet has allowed him to maintain a busy work schedule and still keep up with his kids, a tremendous advantage considering the demands of his job. Among his peers, no one is looked upon with higher esteem than McManus. Bexar County 226th District Court Judge Sid Harle, regarded as one of the best judges in the state of Texas,
summed up McManus as “one of the most accessible, innovative and involved police chiefs I’ve ever seen in my 32 years as a prosecutor, defense attorney and district court judge. One of the finest this community has ever had.” With everything considered, it’s safe to say the citizens of San Antonio are in good hands with McManus. He works tirelessly for our community. It’s not unusual to see the chief at crime scenes and other events at any given hour. McManus serves as a solid role model for our youth and citizens of all ages. He is clearly among the elite in our nation’s law enforcement. ■
Dan Corbett is a local history teacher, a Republican political strategist and the president of the British Society of San Antonio. He can be reached at corbett2004@yahoo.com.
preventative measures
Vasectomy:
Is It Right For You?
photo by Sarah Brooke Lyons
Dr. Naveen Kella talks about the myths and misunderstandings surrounding the safest and most effective contraceptive available today. by Lenore Kaiser
Dr. Naveen Kella is a board-certified urologist who performed this region’s first robotic prostatectomy for prostate cancer and the first robotic cystectomy to treat bladder cancer. Kella is considered one of the top surgeons in the United States. He is the director of the Urology & Prostate Institute. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the Urology & Prostate Institute at 210591-7171 or visit www. theurologyandprostateinstitute.com.
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thinking of having a vasectomy, but not sure? Speaking with Dr. Naveen Kella, a board-certified urologist in San Antonio, I found out it’s not only a minor surgical procedure to achieve male sterilization, but one that only takes less than 30 minutes. “With failure rate of less than one in 1,000, a vasectomy is the most effective route to avoid an unwanted pregnancy,” Kella said, “compared to one in 250 to the female counterpart doing a bilateral tubal ligation.” So why does a procedure that is more cost-effective, safer and less invasive even have to be talked about? Shouldn’t men be flocking to have the procedure done after their girlfriends or wives have spent years doing their part by taking the pill or giving birth to their kids? “Obviously, misconceptions about vasectomy can hinder its usage,” Kella went on to explain. “Women end up with the ultimate responsibility of pregnancy rather than men. African American and Latinos populations actually have more women than men taking the plunge for contraception compared to New Zealand, where vasectomy’s rate is 57 percent of men between 40 and 50.” One of the misconceptions about vasectomies is that some men worry they won’t perform the same. The fact is, the volume and appearance is the exactly the same. About 1 percent of a man’s withdraw comes from sperm. There is actually no link to sexual function. There is actually a small increase in testosterone after vasectomy. Another misconception is that vasectomies can cause other health problems like prostate cancer. Kella assured me, “No. There was controversy at one point that patients who had prostate cancer were more likely to have had a vasectomy. What became apparent was that men who had a vasectomy were just more likely to see the doctor. There is no link with vasectomy and any kind of cancer.” Vasectomies are generally performed in a doctor’s office, and most doctors use Lidocaine for local anesthetic. The needle is so tiny that patients sometimes don’t realize they have already been anesthetized. In fact, if the needle were any smaller, it would not be able to penetrate skin. Next, a special instrument is used to make a tiny
puncture the size of this dash: “—.” The vas is identified, isolated and further numbed with more medicine. A small section of the vas is separated and removed. A few minutes later, a tiny suture is placed to seal off the vas and the procedure is repeated on the other side, sometimes through the same incision. No metal clips are used. A single suture closes the skin opening. “It’s a good idea to bring some supportive underwear to the visit,” Kella went on to say. “Athletic spandex shorts from Under Armour or Reebok provide great support for the next couple days, and you should remember to take it easy. Placing a frozen peas bag for 10 minutes on the area works great. If the procedure is done Friday, most can be back to work by Monday. Pain pills are provided, but not always needed. Showers are OK, but we ask men to avoid bathtub soaks for two to three days.” The only thing men need to keep in mind after the procedure is that they are not officially done until it is confirmed that all sperm is gone since tubes carry millions of sperm and sometimes it can take some work to clear them out entirely. Patients are asked to practice protective sex until they receive the OK after their checkup, which is typically six weeks. Ending my discussion, I asked if there were options for the future. “Science continues to bring out new advances,” Kella answered. “We have progressed to using no scalpels and even no needles for the procedure. Polymers are being developed that could just be injected into the vas and then seal them off. This could potentially be a reversible procedure, as the polymer could be heated until it liquefies and washes away. Ultrasound treatment has also been tried to seal off the vas. “But for now, the most dependable way of achieving contraception can be done in less than 30 minutes with just a few drops of numbing medicine and your helpful urologist.” ■ Lenore Kaiser is the wellness director and owner of Kaiser Medical Management. To learn more, call 1-800-7640418 or visit www.kaisermedicalmanagement.com.
The failure rate of the vasectomy is less than one in 1,000. NFIT MAN september/october 2013
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gaining from your workout Coach Mo’s top five ways to prevent overuse injuries by Maurice Harris
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muscular man image FXQuadro/shutterstock.com
ď Ż preventative measures
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We have all heard the saying, “no pain – no gain.” What we don’t often hear, however, is that there is a very thin line between the two. The phrase has some truth to it: Muscles must go through a continuous cycle of breaking down and rebuilding in order to get stronger, which causes us to feel sore after a workout. On the other hand, too much pain or soreness can be a sign that something is wrong. Over-taxing your muscles can lead to an overuse injury. These types of injuries can lead to long-term consequences. So if you want to really gain from your workout (whether you are getting started with a new
sleeping man image wavebreakmedia/shutterstock.com
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Rest is a key element of training your body.
fitness routine or are taking your workouts to the next level), it is important to pay attention to what your body is telling you so that your “pain” doesn’t lead to injury. Overuse injuries are caused by doing too much too soon and result in muscles, joints or even bones becoming inflamed. The most common examples include jumper’s knee, tennis elbow, shin splints, stress fractures, tendonitis and bursitis. Everyone’s body is different; the pain you feel may come on suddenly or gradually and even get worse over time. If not treated properly, overuse injuries can stick around for a long time and lead to more serious injuries. No matter how your body responds to them, overuse injuries can take a huge toll on your body. The good news is there are simple ways you can help prevent overuse injuries, many of which can be integrated into your workout routine. Here are some great tips to keep you from overuse injuries so you won’t have to stop your fitness routine.
1
Warm-up, cool-down:
No matter what activity you enjoy doing, every workout program should include a proper warm-up routine to get the heart rate elevated and the muscles warm and flexible. This is one of the most effective ways to prevent injury. Try jump roping, jumping jacks or jogging for five minutes before your workout as part of your warm-up routine. A cooldown routine is just as important as the warm-up. Get into the habit of stretching your muscles after your workout. This will help improve range of motion in your joints and help you maintain flexibility in your muscles.
2
Foam rolling:
Foam rolling is a selfmyofascial release technique that is used to inhibit overactive muscles. This type of tension release helps improve the function of your body’s soft tissues by enabling them to relax and contract properly. When the muscles are able to relax and work properly,
your body is better able to perform at a high level. You can use a foam roller to address tension in the calf muscles, the back, the quadriceps, the hamstrings and the hip flexors, just to name a few.
3
Don’t ignore your body:
Our bodies have a way of telling us when something is not quite right, and ignoring these signals can lead to more serious problems and injuries. If you feel pain, you should stop your activity immediately. Try stretching to find the exact spot of the pain. If you are able to stretch that area and the pain subsides, proceed slowly with your activity. Slowly is the key here. If the pain returns, you should stop your activity and consult with your doctor.
4
Proper form: Form,
form, form. This is very important when doing weightlifting. So many people in the gym have bad form while working out. If you are not sure your form is
correct, don’t be afraid to ask a trainer for help. It is better to get it right than to risk an injury.
5
Rest: Rest is a key
element of training your body. Rest allows your body to recover and to work on healing injuries when they occur. Most overuse injuries, if caught soon, can be healed quickly with proper rest and time away from exercise. Untreated injuries, however, can result in longer recovery time, loss of range of motion and maybe even surgery. Whether you’re a gym magnet who loves to be in the gym, a marathon runner who’s trying to get faster or the average Joe who wants to get back into the groove of working out, it’s very important to know about overuse injuries and the risk of them. ■
For more information, contact Maurice Harris – aka Coach Mo – at www.coachmofitness.com or maurice@coachmofitness.com.
NFIT MAN september/october 2013
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Prebiotics: providing optimal nutrition to our whole system by Dr. Joshua Plant
our health is dependent upon a complex symbiotic relationship with good bacteria called flora that live in our digestive system and our body. These flora help digest food and increase nutrient absorption, and they aid in a stronger immune system. Unfortunately, with today’s over-processed diet and the abundance of antibiotics in our food and prescriptions, flora have a difficult time thriving. This has ultimately led to many of the problems that we see today with respect to digestion, inflammation, immune support and weight management. Just as we need nutrients to survive and grow, so do these beneficial flora. The interesting thing is that the nutrients the flora need to develop and thrive cannot be digested or
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When food is processed, the key nutrients our flora need are removed to increase the shelf life of the food.
absorbed by our body; in essence, these flora require a different set of nutrients that our body doesn’t utilize. Unfortunately, when food is processed, the key nutrients these flora need are removed to increase the shelf life of the food. This leaves our flora starving for nutrition and robs us of the benefits of having healthy flora in our digestive system. So how do we give nutrition to these flora? While Moringa is an excellent way of providing nutrition to our bodies, flora require a different set of nutrients. To complement complete nutrition to our system and not just our bodies, we need to supplement our nutrition for our flora. An excellent source of nutrition for flora is found in chicory root. Chicory root contains a
cup of chicory root pieces image Istochnik; linen texture background image kirillov alexey/shutterstock.com
Th r o
ught» o
o d o F f
preventative measures
compound called inulin, which has been well studied. Inulin helps increase satiety (the feeling of being full), modulate sugar absorption, regulate the digestive track, increase absorption of key nutrients such as calcium and of course, promote healthy flora in your digestive system. A perfect marriage of Moringa and chicory root provides optimal nutrition for the whole system. Moringa provides the nutrition our body needs in a natural botanical that is absorbed and metabolized. Chicory root likewise provides the nutrition our flora need to help aid in nutrient absorption, digestion, immune support and weight management. ■ “Food For Thought” is a news segment featuring Dr. Joshua Plant, director of research sciences. For more information, visit www.teamlife. myzija.com, email teamlifetx@gmail.com or call 210-273-8158.
ABOUT
chicory hot drink image jordache/shutterstock.com
DR. JOSHUA PLANT Dr. Joshua Plant has a wide variety of scientific experiences across the biomedical sciences platform. He graduated with a Ph.D. from Harvard Medical School in biomedical sciences and cell biology. Plant’s experience in researching how cells respond to their external environment has led him to work with the world’s finest research institutions, and he has been published in several scientific journals. Graduated first in his class with a Ph.D. from Harvard Medical School Received one of 14 NIH research scholar awards for his work on cellular development
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Conducted research fellowships at the NIH and the University of Utah on cellular homeostasis Published several research articles on cancer and cellular symmetry Selected as a key speaker at several national scientific conferences for his research on cell symmetry NFIT MAN september/october 2013
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This is one of the many adoptable pets looking for a new home. To search for your perfect new pet, go to www.sanantoniopetsalive.org.
Surprise Benefits
Adopting a rescue pet can help San Antonio Pets Alive! in its mission to make San Antonio the nation’s largest no-kill city. But it can also help you get healthy and fit.
Special to NFit
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NFIT MAN september/october 2013
aside from increasing your opportunities for exercise, owning a pet can also decrease your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, per the Centers for Disease Control. San Antonio Pets Alive! (SAPA!) would love to make you healthier and to make San Antonio the nation’s largest no-kill city while they’re at it. Since January 2012, SAPA! has been a driving force in the movement toward making San Antonio a no-kill city. Modeled after Austin Pets Alive!, SAPA! is a nonprofit organization largely run by dedicated volunteers. Austin reached no-kill status in 2011, largely due to the efforts of Austin Pets Alive! SAPA!’s mission is to save every adoptable dog and cat in danger of euthanasia at the San Antonio’s city shelter through adoption, foster care, baby-bottle feeding, Positive Alternatives to Shelter Surrender (PASS) and the involvement of citizens and businesses in order to make San Antonio a no-kill city. Unique to other rescues, SAPA! focuses solely on pets that have already been passed over by other adopters and rescues, which often means pulling ill, injured and hard-to-place breeds and animals. By involving community members and city agencies, SAPA! has been able to take the city’s live release rate to a record high. “In a little over a year, we have helped raise the city’s live release rate from 30 percent to 78 percent and have saved more than 9,000 animals,” said Rosemary Jones, associate executive director. Recently, San Antonio City Council selected SAPA! to manage the new Paul Jolly Adoption Center and PETCO Pavilion adjacent to the San Antonio Zoo scheduled to open in October 2013. The adoption center is on the site of the old Animal Care Services location, which was torn down to make room for this new state-ofthe-art facility where San Antonio’s residents can adopt a dog, cat, puppy or kitten. A covered pavilion is also located on the campus to allow for events and training. Funded partially with a $1 million grant from the Petco Foundation, the adoption center is named after former Petco Foundation Executive Director Paul Jolly. It is expected that 3,000 pets will be adopted from the center yearly. This will greatly expand SAPA!’s ability to save more lives. “In an effort to help fund this expansion, we are reaching out to the community for support,” said Lindy Hardin, development lead. “We have monthly fundraisers and are always looking for more ways to involve local businesses.” The local rescue is launching initiatives to incorporate increased physical activity into
photos courtesy of san antonio pet alive!
nonprofit
Vet tech Gabby Keresi
SAPA! staff cares for
walks one of our anim
als from our onsite ken
nels.
a newly pulled animal.
the lives of the dogs currently living at their onsite kennel. “We have designed a program to bring in volunteers to take our onsite dogs on walks,” said Lena Scalercio, special projects coordinator. “We believe that a healthy lifestyle is not only important for people, but for their pets, as well.” Being in the kennel all day doesn’t allow animals adequate exercise, and this program enables the community to get involved and give back. Fostering an animal also helps get the animal out of the kennel environment and socialized for its future fur-ever home! SAPA! also has a running club called the Mutt Milers, which works to raise funds for the organization by participating in local runs, running in honor of the homeless pets of San Antonio. The Mutt Milers team is a great way for active volunteers to make a difference. SAPA! also offers a weekly boot camp in the park asking for a $5 donation from participants. SAPA! is looking for a volunteer to lead the walk program at the new adoption facility, which would allow volunteers to “check out” an animal to take on a walk or jog in Brackenridge Park. If you are
ekend. Eightytion event we . optathon adop thon details coming soon wd Pa at r, cto ta op ts dire end! Fall Pawd special projec ek , io we rc e on ale in Sc mes Lena imals found ho one SAPA! an
interested in volunteering, email volunteer@ sanantoniopetsalive.org. SAPA! constantly works with the community to continue to save as many animals as possible, and there are a variety of ways to pitch in, according to Placement Coordinator Vickie Lucero: “If you can’t adopt, foster. If you can’t foster, volunteer. If you can’t volunteer, donate.” ■ If you are interested in adopting, fostering, volunteering or donating, email info@ sanantoniopetsalive.org, or visit www.sanantoniopetsalive.org or www.facebook.com/ sapetsalive.
“We believe that a healthy lifestyle is not only important for people, but for their pets, as well.” NFIT MAN september/october 2013
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ď Ż nonprofit
Strength. Hope. Guidance. Transition Possible keeps the warrior spirit alive and helps heal our wounded veterans physically, emotionally and socially with the SEALFIT Challenge. by Rick Martinez / photography by Holly Chaffin
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NFIT MAN september/october 2013
i don't think my life will ever be the same after what I witnessed on April 20, 2013. Even I didn’t realize just how far and how deep the warrior spirit thrives. I’ve spent a good majority of my professional career working with and around adaptive athletes and wounded
Navy SEALs training. The activities were designed to test not only the physical, but also the mental fortitude of the participants. Activities included familiar physical elements such as box jumps, pull-ups, tire flipping and wall balls, mixed with some specialty elements like
physical endurance, mental toughness, pain and cold tolerance, teamwork, attitude and the ability to perform work under high physical and mental stress. In the real world, there are so many folks who think they need to take extreme caution around people missing
The determination the athletes showed was like nothing I’d ever seen. warriors, and even that couldn’t have prepared me for the SEALFIT Challenge. On April 20, in San Antonio, a cadre of Navy SEALs from the SEALFIT program, led by Mark Divine, paired 15 CEOs and professionals with 15 adaptive athletes and wounded warriors for an allday, intense SEAL training. Prior to the event, all of the professionals had been raising funds for Transition Possible, our nonprofit that serves our wounded veterans by healing the mind and body physically, emotionally and socially though adaptive sports, community engagement and career opportunities. The day began at 6 a.m. and ended a little after 7 p.m. Throughout the day, the pairs were put through some of the grueling challenges and exercises that one could expect to find in an actual
blindfolding one member and making them complete an obstacle course in a wheelchair with only verbal commands from their partner. This was just in the first six hours. At lunch, the SEALs congratulated the CEOs and professionals on their hard work and accomplishments and gave them the opportunity to end their day. Divine also gave them the opportunity to continue alongside their partners and enter into what was considered the true SEALFIT experience. They were too inspired to quit. The next phase of the SEALFIT Challenge surprised everyone in attendance. It truly resembled what one would experience during Navy SEALs Hell Week. It began with an hour of cold, wet, brutally difficult training that divulged participants’ desire to continue. It tested
limbs. We think they are weak and more fragile. These SEALs didn’t think that way. They wanted everyone to see how strong these heroes are and that their warrior spirit is alive and thriving. “I just kept going. I knew everybody was hurting,” said Mike Gallardo, a 28-year-old Army veteran who lost part of his leg while stationed in Iraq. “I felt like I had to carry everyone on my shoulders. Even though I was hurting, I had to pretend I was strong. Helping everybody out helped to keep me going. I kept cheering them on and motivating them. Keeping them going was keeping me strong. That’s how I was able to keep going – I wanted to help others.” Later that afternoon, participants went on a Ruck March and came back look tired and defeated, but still standing. Still putting out their best effort. Still
NFIT MAN september/october 2013
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thriving. When they all made it back to the gym, the instructors read the biography of Lt. Michael P. Murphy, a Navy SEAL killed in Afghanistan on June 28, 2005. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. In the CrossFit community, Murph is a Hero WOD, which consists of a one-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 pushups and 300 air squats, and ending with a one-mile run. After the SEALs told the participants they would need to complete Murph, they gave them 60 minutes to do it. I don’t think anyone watched this portion of SEALFIT and didn’t walk away feeling something. The determination the athletes showed was like nothing I’d ever seen. Warriors who had already given so much to protect our freedoms were honoring their fallen comrades with their minds, bodies and spirits. Spectators couldn’t take their eyes off the athletes as they triumphed one by one. Those falling behind could count on their partners for the
strength and encouragement to continue. Even the SEALs would jump in and do air squats alongside struggling athletes. At the culmination of Murph, not a dry eye was left
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in the room. Everyone gathered around the final participants as they ran across the metaphorical victory line and were welcomed by the overwhelming cheers of fellow competitors, SEALs and spectators. The next activity would test the athletes’ mental capacity and their willingness to work together. The SEALs asked the adaptive athletes to remove their prosthetics and place them outside for the challenge. I can begin to describe my feelings about this. Here you have 15 of the strongest individuals I can think of who have gone through some of the most intense training I’ve ever seen, and the SEALs have basically crippled them. I didn’t realize it, but I was wrong. No matter the obstacle, the athletes overcame it. They figured out how to complete the challenge. They overcame their physical limitations and adapted. They were learning how to motivate, how to encourage, how to assimilate, how to think and most of all, how to be a team – how to be a unit. “The cool thing is from what we had there with such a spectrum and range of disabilities – it’s really hard for someone to go and look at those pictures and videos and think, ‘I can’t do that,’” said Kyle Maynard, a quadruple congenital amputee. “No matter what or who you are, you can find a way to do just about anything. From pushing a sled, pulling a car, any physical training, we could do it.” At what appeared to be the final event of the day, the athletes and CEOs were treated to light stretching and yoga led by Divine. They finally had the opportunity to give their bodies and minds a rest. They lulled the athletes into a calm state before it all began again. The SEALs came running into the room, screaming and commanding the participants to go back outside and into the ice buckets. Back into formation to do chain link pushups, log lifts and finishing with a one-mile hike while carrying the logs. It was a brutal finish, but it made the feel-
NFIT MAN september/october 2013
About Transition Possible
Established in San Antonio in 2011, Transition Possible is a 501(c)(3) organization that grew from the desire to transform and shape the future of our wounded service members post-injury. Its mission is to create awareness, inclusion and integration of wounded veterans into our community. We serve our wounded veterans by heading the mind and body physically, emotionally and socially through adaptive sports and fitness. The organization strives to be the national leader in providing opportunities for wounded veterans to continue to thrive and lead productive lives in our nation. For more information, visit www.transitionpossible.org or call 210-201-5098. ing of victory that much sweeter. The day was done. The sweat and tears had been shed and so had any stipulation or stereotype that adaptive athletes are anything less than their fully limbed teammates. The adaptive athletes performed all of the same tasks with 40 limbs that the professionals accomplished with 60. All of the participants tested their hearts and won. My hope is that they all will remember how much they achieved; that they can accomplish so much more than they once thought possible; and that they can draw on that strength whenever they need to. I don’t think any of us will forget how we felt at the end of those 15 hours. Transition Possible will continue to share this message with the community, adaptive athletes and wounded warriors. We will continue to show the world the warrior spirit and be there for all
warriors who need it to empower them to realize their full potential. We do what we do for the warriors. And it is our hope that the SEALFIT Challenge shared this with a group of people who will share it with another group of people and continue to spread this message far and wide. “Our true potential is not in our minds – it’s in our hearts,” Gallardo said. “Anything we want to do is reachable; we just have to believe. The 15 hours of pain was worth that lesson.” ■ Transition Possible’s next event, Red, WOD and Blue, will be this coming November in San Antonio with opportunities to host the event across the globe. For more information about how you can take part or provide support, visit www.transitionpossible.org.
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events
Food, Fitness and Fun
Who says health and fitness can’t be fun? celebrate the coming of cooler temperatures at these walks, runs and other events in our area in early fall.
»Oct. 6, 2013
San Antonio Kidney Action Day
»Oct. 12, 2013
Fourth Annual St. PJ’s Great Pumpkin 5K
The Great Pumpkin Run is a family-oriented
event held in the heart of historic San Antonio at St. Peter – St. Joseph Children’s Home. More importantly, it is a fun, exciting way to support children who have been victims of abuse and/or neglect and to increase awareness of this tragic and ongoing problem in our community. The event starts at 7 a.m., and the cost is $30. Call 210-531-8592 for more information. www.stpjhome.org
group of cyclists image sainthorant daniel/shutterstock.com
Take action for your health and get free kidney health screenings from the American Kidney Fund. Kidney Action Day is free and open to the public, so come enjoy healthy food samples, live fitness and cooking demos, children’s activities, prizes, entertainment,
family fun and our Kidney Action Day Walk at the AT&T Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 240-292-7055 for more information. www. kidneyfund.org
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NFIT MAN september/october 2013
»Oct. 12, 2013
Miss Fiesta Health Fair
Join us at Traders Village at 9 a.m. for screenings for diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, COPD risk and additional disease processes that may affect our community. Education will focus on how to prevent health disparities and how to live with them if they currently exist. www.fiesta-sa.org
»Oct. 12 & 13, 2013
Bike MS: Valero 2013 Alamo Ride to the River
The Valero 2013 ride is one of a series of 100 extraordinary cycling events across the county. This year’s ride includes both oneand two-day options from 47 miles to 158 miles. It’s not the miles that matter – it’s the unforgettable journey. This event at the AT&T Center is geared to help raise funds in an effort to find a cure and provide programs and services to those directly impacted by MS. The run goes from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. Call 210444-5000 for more information. www.biketxh. nationalmssociety.org
»Oct. 15, 2013
Dinner With the Docs by Pinnacle Wellness
Let our doctors share the secrets of lasting health and wellness with you and your loved ones at this life-changing event from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Dinner at Texas Land & Cattle Steakhouse is free. For more information or reserve your seat, please contact our office at 210-674-1234. Call today – seats are limited! www.pinnaclehealthchoice.com
»Oct. 17, 2013 heart and stethoscope image S_L/shutterstock.com
Green Spaces Alliance Fall Gala
»Oct. 19, 2013
Walk Like MADD San Antonio 5K
This is a walk and festival held annually to raise funds in order to save lives. This family-friendly event features live entertainment, a pet area and activities for the kids at the AT&T Center. By participating in the walk, you help MADD offer services to crash survivors, prevent underage drinking and create safer communities in South Texas. The event runs from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the cost is $15 for youth (5 to 20) and $20 for adults (21 and up). For more information, call 210-349-0200. www.support.madd.org
»Oct. 19, 2013
Free Heart Screening for Teens
AugustHeart will screen students ages 14 to 18 for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) at St. Luke’s Baptist Hospital starting at 8 a.m. HCM is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young people; one in 250 students are at risk of sudden cardiac death; HCM causes a thickening of the heart wall and can lead to obstruction of blood flow and an erratic heartbeat; and HCM typically does not present any symptoms. Call 210-8419207 for more information.
Link an evening of delicious food, lively entertainment and the company of great people with the pleasure of funding our important programs now and into the future. The event will take place at the Steves Homestead House Museum, located at 509 King William. The festivities start at 6:30 p.m., and the cost is $150. Call 210-222-8430 for more information.
»Oct. 19, 2013
Paint the Parkway Pink
We invite individuals and families to participate in the second annual breast cancer fundraising “race” in the Stone Oak area during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There will be many fun activities and events, including a post-race health fair and awards ceremony for top-finishing participants. The 5K family run, walk and kids fun run will take place at North Central Baptist Hospital at 7 a.m. www.painttheparkwaypink.com
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