CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

"Ronnie"

Age 50, training for the New York City Marathon, now wants to do an Ironman. 
I turned her down twice as a client before finally taking her on

“ I know you’re used to working with athletes in better condition.  I appreciate you taking me on.  I’ve had coaches and trainers before but you are changing my life.  Thank you.

If you’re one of the lucky ones to hear about Jim and his program, take the ride – it’s life changing! Jim’s approach to overall healthy living and strong performance puts the joy back in being active, alive even (those are endorphins speaking). I’ve gone from an overweight and injury prone x-athlete to a strong runner in these 18 weeks - with no injuries! Jim took me on thanks to a friend's referral. I had a sprained ankle - something I was recovering from just after my pulled hamstring, just after my knee pains - you get the point.

Jim not only started me training w/ an injury but has kept me strong and injury free all while seeing improvements that put me over the moon! Whenever I start to waiver in energy or commitment level, Jim’s right there checking in and leading by example! So darn motivating.

Twenty-five lbs. lighter and with a three-min/mile improvement in my running pace (and no injuries!), I’ve got my eyes on triathlons after 18 weeks because I feel strong, healthy and nothing feels impossible… @bookitjvb would say, that is “badddasss!”"

"Gregg"

Age 50, trained him exactly 4 months before the Chicago Marathon, where he qualified for Boston

Hiring Jim to train me was by far the best piece of training equipment I could have purchased. Recently turning 50 and a 7 time marathon finisher I was resigned to the fact I would never get faster and would always be a 3:45 marathoner, certainly not fast enough to qualify for Boston. Working with Jim opened up a whole new way of training and eating that I would have never been able to accomplish on my own.

From his daily positive e -mails, weekly specific training plans which included not only running but strength exercises as well and his attention to every detail including sleeping habits and dew points, Jim was able to develop a plan for me and my busy schedule that culminated with a 3:29 Chicago Marathon finish (my fastest marathon by 15 minutes) and yes a Boston qualifying time.

Along the way I smashed my 5K PR, lost 10 pounds, stayed injury free throughout the training and have never eaten healthier in my life.

Now Jim is training me for my first Ultra marathon and my confidence has never been higher!

“Ben”

Before working with Jim, I exercised occasionally, but never felt like I was getting anywhere.  I mountain biked, played with the kids and ran with my dog, and generally considered myself in OK shape (albeit 15lbs heavier than I should be).  My workout runs were typically 2-3 miles at top speed (around 7:30 pace, and my Heart Rate would max out around 180bpm).   I didn’t enjoy these “all out” runs, and would usually dread going out for my next run.

I’m the type of person who likes to succeed at whatever I’m doing, so I’d exercise in “bursts”.  During a burst, I’d exercise frequently and would enjoy seeing my pace improve from 8:00/mile down to 7:17/mile (my personal best 2.5 miles).  When I stopped seeing improvement (or got injured), exercise would drop down my priority list, I’d stop for a while and would pick it up again a few months later when I had time.  In retrospect, my workout regime was unenjoyable and unsustainable.

In March 2013 I weighed 187lbs and felt generally unhealthy and out of shape, so started running.  I reached out to Jim and mentioned to him that I was running and he started asking questions.  It quickly became clear to me that Jim knew a ton about how to train, and he offered to help coach me.  On Jim’s advice, I started wearing a Garmin watch and HR monitor on my runs so he could track my workouts.  After a few runs he evaluated my situation as:

1.      I have a gifted heart rate (who knew?) so had good potential

2.      I was running one type of workout (short+fast), and needed to:

a.      Slow down and get in more miles, and

b.      Do different types of workouts, each with its own specific purpose

3.      Change my diet to get off my “sugar cycle” and shift and my metabolism to become efficient at burning fat

Jim said if I followed his program that I would accomplish things I wouldn’t think possible.  I figured I’d give it a try.

It turns out that following Jim’s recommendations were easy to do.  In fact, switching to longer, slower runs made the whole running experience dramatically more enjoyable.  I actually looked forward to going out on runs because I was didn’t suffer the way I used to.  Jim also gave me some interesting podcasts and books on the topics of health and fitness; I’d listen to them while running on the trail and get more informed and motivated. 

I found it very motivating to have Jim monitoring my exercise.  I’d send him a report after every workout including the Garmin file; he’d analyze it and give specific recommendations on what workout to do next, diet, recovery, sleep, injury prevention, etc.  During this period (April 2013-July 2013) I got the exercise bug.  I talked to Jim or emailed every day and was really enjoying it, but I was still running much slower than I used to; I probably averaged 9-10 minute mile pace and hadn’t done anything near my 7:17/mile record.  I couldn’t see the results, but Jim constantly analyzed the heart rate, pace, elevation profile of my runs and assured me that I was getting much fitter.  It turned out that he was right.  He was Mr. Miyagi and I was the Karate Kid.

I did a sprint triathlon with some colleagues from work in Aug-2013.  Despite never having ridden a road bike and being a weak swimmer, my fitness allowed me to finish 3rd in my age group, and (to my surprise) I ran the 5k at 7:02/mile pace after having swum 750 meters and biked 12 miles.   After this, I started seeing some amazing improvements:

• Aug 2013: Weight had dropped from 187lbs to 163lbs; resting heart rate had dropped from 70 to 48bpm
• Oct 2013: Olympic triathlon: 28th of 204 people.  Ran 10k at 6:58/mile (after 0.9 mile swim + 24 mile bike)
• Feb 2014: Half marathon: 6:44/mile pace (finished top 5%)
• Mar 2014: Sprint triathlon: won age group. 11th of 194 people.  Ran 6:27/mile pace (after swim + bike)
• April 2014: Olympic triathlon: Ran 6:48/mile pace (after 0.9 mile swim + 25 mile bike)
• May 2014:  Trail Half Marathon (>2,000’ of gain): 3rd overall out of 134 participants (1:44, 7:56 per mile pace)
• July 2014: Half Ironman (“70.3”): 76th of 2535.  I even beat 5 pros.  Qualified for 70.3 world champs in my first 70.3
• Sep 2014: 70.3 World Championships: 902nd/2235.   I raced well and enjoyed it (the competition was very fast)
• Nov 2014: Ironman Arizona.  10 hours 46 minutes.  170th of ~3000 (top 6%) despite injury issues.
• 2015 Season: 2 Ironmans, a 70.3, a sprint (won age group) and an Olympic (8th overall out of 608 athletes!)

It has been really fun to improve this quickly.  Jim’s transformation approach has made it enjoyable and sustainable. 

If I hadn’t worked with Jim, my March 2013 exercise burst would have ended a month later, I’d probably still weigh in the 180s, be doing bursts of exercise and my fitness goal would still be to break my 7:17/mile record. 

Instead, I’ve successfully and sustainably transformed my health and fitness.  I set a goal in early 2014 to qualify for the 70.3 and Ironman world championships.  A year ago, that goal would have seemed (1) unachievable and (2) completely insane.  Now I’m half way there.  I know it IS possible, and more importantly I’m enjoying the journey.

I talk to Jim daily by email or on the phone.  No matter how much faster/fitter I get, I find it immensely helpful to have Jim pore over the details of my workouts, provide feedback, prescribe new workouts, rest, sleep, injury advice, nutrition ideas, equipment, motivation and goal setting. 

My goals and exercise program will change, but my transformation is permanent.  Jim’s approach made it possible.  

"JP"

45, wants to lose 100 pounds and do an Ironman.  Upon the writing of his testimonial below, he had lost 82 pounds in 8 months.  If he keeps up his consistency and dedication, he will be an Ironman

"Do you know what it feels like to lug around eight gallons of milk strapped to your back all day long every day?  I do.  I did it for a long time in the form of extra weight.  I didn’t even know I was doing it.  I knew that taking the stairs had become a real trial—I literally planned my day so that I wouldn’t have to return upstairs to my bedroom until later in the evening—and once I was up in my room, I wouldn’t have to come back down until the next morning.  Bending over became an embarrassment, and a major problem.  I would get winded reaching down to pick up a dropped pen.  On more than one occasion, when no one was looking, when I dropped something I would just leave it there instead of picking it up.  If someone was looking, I would wait for a second in the hopes that someone else would bend down to pick it up for me.  That was 68 lbs. ago—the weight of those 8 gallons of milk--and I’m not looking back. 

That was the situation I was in when I finally reached out for help.  I had run a marathon in the past, I had done p90x and insanity in the past, and had even lost some weight in the past.  But when I had no goal, I would just fade away.  I decided that I needed to set myself a goal that was practically unobtainable so that I would have to keep working to achieve it.  And I knew that if I wanted to achieve such a goal, I was going to need help.  I picked competing in an Iron Man triathlon as my goal.  Then I met Jim.

Jim spoke to me as a human being, treated me like an athlete from moment one.  He told me realistically and with no holds barred what it would require to achieve my goal—but also told me that it was something that we could do as a team if I set my mind to do it.  He gave me simple, step by step things to do that brought me along from barely being able to walk around my house without being exhausted, to a point in which I can go on a three-hour aggressive bike ride and then run for an hour.  I know I can do that because I have done it.  I can swim for three miles without stopping—when I started swimming, I could barely do one 25-yard pool length.  

Jim is involved in every part of my athletic life—he sends me daily plans for my workouts, often suggesting several activities as motivation to do more than I thought that I could.  We talk frequently via email, text, and telephone.  At first, I was worried that I would not be able to sustain a relationship with someone who was not next to me all the time—but he is like a good angel of healthiness, always on my shoulder, texting, encouraging, talking, critiquing.  His interest in the smallest details of my performance has absolutely astounded me.  

Jim is tough when he needs to be tough.  He is tough sometimes when I don’t want him to be tough, and that is to my benefit.  He is also flexible and will work to make sure that I am getting what I need.  He is focused on helping me avoid injury.  He often suggests things based upon his experience that don’t make a lot of sense to me—but when I do them, things get better.  As a result of his encouragement, I have drastically changed my diet for the better.  Why did I do this?  Not because Jim made me—instead, he gave me a lot of information, education, books to read, articles to read, movies to read, podcasts to listen to, and then let me draw my own conclusions.  He applauded me the whole way and gave me grocery shopping lists, recipe suggestions, and I have never felt better.

Jim is demanding.  He is encouraging.  He is tough.  He is insistent.  He is exactly what I needed to help get my life back together.  I still have a long way to go, but I think that working with him as helped me realize that I can do bigger, better things than I ever really imagined.  I encourage anyone who actually wants to put in the work to change their life to have a discussion with him.  Don’t apply if you are not serious, because he is serious about helping you.   I still have 30 lbs to go, and my first triathlon is coming up.  My goals seem closer than ever, and I am not going to stop."

“Justin”

Jim and I have been close friends since high school.  When he started running marathons  five years ago, I snidely remarked “why would do that to your body?”  But with Jim’s encouragement, guidance, and coaching, within several years not only did I start running, I was running marathons.

Jim also encouraged me to  change my diet, which I did, cutting out empty calories and replacing them with nutrient-rich foods. Two years ago I weighed 185 pounds.  Today I’m 165.  I have more energy and I am obsessed with running.  I could not and would not have done it without Jim’s encouragement and advice.

From selecting my running shoes to designing my training plans, working through injuries, planning race day strategy, and suggesting supplemental exercise routines to avoid injury, Jim was there for me.  As my own personal coach—he pushed me during training and encouraged me through the rough periods always with an upbeat, positive attitude.  He taught me that faster isn’t always better and how to train with a heart rate monitor. 

I’ve now run three marathons.  My first was at 4:12, the next two were just over 3:40 and now I’m shooting for 3:15 and qualifying for the Boston Marathon.  For me, the key to maintaining focus during the long marathon training process is celebrating the successes and milestones—running my threshold runs a little faster or reducing my heart rate on a long run.  Jim’s enthusiasm for my small “victories” is contagious and helps push my toward my goals. 

"Jonathan"

Vanilla extract. Detox. Mouthwash. Rehab. Hand sanitizer stolen from construction site port-a-potties. More rehabs. Unbearable depression and anxiety. Prozac, Wellbutrin, Cymbalta. Nothing. Therapists. Powerless. Counselors. Clueless. Psychiatry. Useless. Often damaging. For ten years. I was helpless. I was hopeless. I was dying.

Jim and I first met twenty years ago fresh out of school, newly arrived in New York City, and volunteers at a soup kitchen with the Coalition for the Homeless. Little did I know, years hence, how perilously close I would come to being a beneficiary of that agency rather than a volunteer.

On a particular Thursday evening, after an especially devastating two week binge, I felt within an inch of death. I’d lingered around the gates of hell plenty; taken the complimentary tour numerous times; but this was different. An inch of death. Summoning what shredded resources remained, I begged God for help. Begged Him. I said I would do anything – anything – if He would help me never have to drink again.

That Friday I didn’t drink. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. On Saturday, I went to an AA meeting in the morning and somehow – miraculously – managed to drag my sorry ass out for a four mile run. These were the second hardest things I’ve ever done.

It’s always darkest before the dawn.

I was vaguely aware of the TRANSFORMATION Jim had undergone in his life – I was only vaguely aware of most things for years as my health and my life steadily declined into quagmire. He and I had had been in touch sporadically and on that Sunday I called him. I was ready. I would do anything.

It was Easter Sunday.

Closely following Jim’s instructions, paying attention to his five pillars of good health and well-being, I transformed my life. Since then, I’ve exercised nearly every day: running, performing yoga, and strength and conditioning training, to name a few. I rigorously adhered to his nutrition program shedding 20 pounds in a month. My physical vigor, my mental clarity, and my emotional buoyance and resiliency not only bounced back but rose to levels I’d not experienced before. For the first time in 25 years, I take no anti-depressant, anti-anxiety, or any other medications. None. And I’ve never felt better. Periodic outbreaks of psoriasis that have plagued me all my life have simply vanished. Gone. And – most importantly – any and all desire to drink has evaporated. Poof.

I’d been to AA thousands of times over the years. I still go to AA. Regularly. It’s an extremely important part of my TRANSFORMATION, my sobriety, and my life. However for me, AA by itself was not enough. I had to address the whole. TRANSFORMATION addresses the whole.

That my sobriety date is Good Friday and my TRANSFORMATION date is Easter Sunday marks no coincidence. God’s fingerprints (however you may understand God) are all over this program. Its reach, scope, and power to heal all manner of conditions, ailments, diseases, and disorders continually expand and seems to be limitless. God is like that.

How and why TRANSFORMATION works I don’t fully understand. I may never. God is like that. However, what is unequivocally and unmistakably clear is that somehow eating cleanly, exercising smoothly and regularly, sleeping restfully, modulating stress even-handedly, and managing time efficiently creates room and space for God’s Grace to work. And miracles are what God does best.

Part of the magic is Jim himself. Most people whose health and well-being arrives at a point of crisis (for whatever reason) believe on some level that they don’t deserve to vibrant, happy, and healthy. That was certainly the case with me. This belief is, of course, nonsense; but it can take time to shift and to heal. The meticulous care, attention, support and motivation Jim provides are revelatory and life changing, spawning that shift and nurturing the healing. Jim will be good to you ‘til you’re good to yourself. Jim will believe in you ‘til you believe in yourself. Every step of the way.

It’s difficult to communicate a qualitative shift of perception and consciousness to one who has not experienced that shift – yet. But you can. And you will. Inherently it involves a leap of faith.
Take the leap. Abundance awaits you. Beyond your wildest dreams.
And Jim will be with you. Every step of the way.