How did you find your way into fitness and training - specifically yoga - from being a former college and European Football player? I was very blessed to have the opportunity to work with some great people and have some success on the level of being a football player. However, after my time at Florida I went searching for that next thing, that passion in life, while at the same time my body was hurting from all the surgeries I had throughout football. I had done so much damage to my body, just by playing, so I tried to explore different avenues and ways of training that involved more joint-friendly activities. Likewise at the same time, I was working as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch, and although I enjoyed it, it wasn’t my passion or skill set; I wasn’t waking up every morning excited to go to work. So in combination with finding a yoga practice, I began thinking, “all right, this makes my body feel good. How can I go about helping others with this?” I eventually got laid off in 2008 as a financial advisor, which
A lot of guys say they won’t do yoga because they want to bulk. I’m a guy from Northern Florida. If you would have told me I’d end up doing yoga, I’d have called you crazy years ago. So, why can guys do it too? The difference between TMAC FLOW and traditional yoga is that we do explosive athletic training, which works your type two muscle fibers, on the yoga mat. What that does is break down muscle tissue and fibers, and that’s how you grow muscles. Normally when you think of doing athletic training, it’s usually through workouts in the gym, and then you’d go another day and practice yoga, which works more of your stabilizers, your type one muscle fibers. But what TMAC FLOW does is work your type two and your type one muscle fibers, so you’re not only able to look good, so to speak, but you’re also able to feel good because you get the healing benefits of yoga. TMAC FLOW combines explosive athletic movements with the healing benefits of yoga.
Investing your time and talents into a good cause leads to a life well lived. allowed me to rethink and find my next passion, which was starting TMAC FITNESS. I took this new way of training I learned from yoga and combined it with athletic training, and together we get TMAC FLOW. What is the philosophy behind your TMAC FLOW Program, and how does it differ from other available workout programs? TMAC FLOW is different in the sense that traditionally, you’d have to go to the gym to get in great shape [and] you’d have to lift a lot of heavy weights...and I’m not opposed to that at all, but I can tell you from someone who grew up in his own father’s gyms lifting weights his whole life: there’s a better and easier way to do it. TMAC FLOW is a way to reach your optimal health in a very joint-friendly way without using any equipment.
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We heard that you sometimes volunteer your training services for individuals going through hardships. Can you tell us more about that? I truly believe that we receive when we give. It is very easy when you are the business owner to get caught up in the operational [and] practical side of things. However, helping someone by giving them complimentary training sessions reminds me of all the reasons I am in this business. Investing your time and talents into a good cause leads to a life well lived. We’re all searching for our reason as to why we’re here, and personally, I am constantly reminded of that when I give to others. After your journey to recovery from season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum during your junior year as a Florida Gator linebacker, it’s obvious
you not only have physical strength, but mental strength as well. Explain to us the importance of mental strength in all aspects of health, fitness and life. I get to work with a lot of fascinating individuals; it’s one of the blessings of being a personal trainer. I’ve been able to work with some awesome and successful people, and they’ll be the first to tell you that you’re better in every aspect of your life when you take care of yourself, and training is one of those avenues. You need to invest time in yourself and in your health. When you’re able to take care of your body in a way that keeps you healthy and doesn’t just break you down, I think you’ll be a better husband, father, boyfriend, friend, or whatever role in life you’re currently playing. I think all of that comes into play and you’re better in every avenue in your life. I’ve had a torn knee that has needed repair since 2005, yet I’ve been able to stay in great shape. How is that possible? Through doing TMAC FLOW, because it is a joint-friendly way of working out. I’ve been able to keep in great shape and not let a bad knee be an excuse for not taking care of my body. That’s how it all came about; my body was so broken down that it was either waste away, or figure something out. This is our Be Kind issue, and we can’t think of a better way of being kind to ourselves than with proper health and nutrition. What are some of your recommendations for someone who may not know where to get started? I’d say start eating natural whole foods. Start practicing that, along with figuring out a way that you like to sweat - of course I’m a big supporter of TMAC FLOW, ha - and do those two things to start. Forget the counting of the calories and all that other stuff. Like I say, if you can pick it, catch it, or plant it, it’s probably pretty good for you, and if it’s man-made...stay away from it. You can check out Todd’s website, TMACFITNESS.com, for a download of his free nutrition plan, as well as other resources, including shopping guides, exercises, and free 20-minute videos. November 2014 - BELLO